Chapter 509 of 1163

PSALM 78

This long psalm reviews the history of Israel: the Exodus (vv. 12–16, 42–53); their wilderness journey (vv. 17–41); the conquest of Canaan (vv. 54–55); and disciplines God sent them there (vv. 56–64). A nation’s true history is a record not of how the people treated one another but of how they treated God.

But why the long history lesson? For the sake of the generations to follow (vv. 1–8). The Jews were commanded to teach their children the works and ways of the Lord so that each generation would know the Lord and trust Him (Deut. 6:1–9). We have the same obligation today. When Israel stopped doing this, the nation forsook the Lord and God had to chasten them (Judg. 2:7–10).

Israel was a rebellious nation, but God was gracious and gave the people opportunities to start again. This is not an excuse for us to sin and tempt God, but it is an encouragement to repent when we do sin.

God’s answer to Israel’s needs was to give them a spiritual leader, David, the shepherd. He had both integrity (the heart) and ability (the hands), and he sought to serve the Lord and love the flock of Israel. People have not changed; they still rebel against God. There is still a need for faithful instructors in the home (vv. 1–8) and leaders in the nation (vv. 70–72). Do all you can to help the next generation serve the Lord acceptably.

“What are all histories but God manifesting Himself?”

Oliver Cromwell

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