Psalm 78
Theme
God’s Kindness to Rebellious Israel
Outline
1-8, An exhortation both to learn and to teach, the law of God. 9-39, The story of God's wrath against Israel, notwithstanding his great deliverance and provision for them. 40-55, Their many provocations. 56-66, God's judgment. 67-72, His mercy.
Key Verse
(78:1) Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
Notes
In the first eight verses of Ps 78 Asaph calls his audience to hear his teaching that they might not be like the stubborn and rebellious wilderness generation that forgot what God had done for them. He details exactly what he has in mind in (78:9–16), where he describes how the Ephraimites forgot the wonders God did at the exodus, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness. In Ps (78:17–32) Asaph rehearses the Num 11 incident when Israel complained of not having meat, only to experience the provision of meat followed by the wrath of God. At the center of the psalm’s chiastic structure in Ps (78:33–40) Asaph reflects on how Israel sought God when his judgment fell and how, in spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant, God was merciful to them. The way Israel tested God is in view in (78:41–56) (cf. 78:41, 56), and Asaph focuses on the way Israel did not remember the plagues on Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the giving of the law at Sinai, or the conquest of Canaan. Those who inhabited the land proved as unfaithful as their fathers, and in (78:57–64) Asaph recounts the destruction of the tabernacle at Shiloh and the capture of the ark (cf. 1 Sam 4). Asaph concludes Ps 78 with what looks like the ark’s victory romp through Philistine territory (cf. 1 Sam 5) in (78:65–66), followed by a celebration of the way the Lord chose Zion and David in (78:67–72).