Psalms 78

Ps 78:1-72.

This Psalm appears to have been occasioned by the removal of the

sanctuary from Shiloh in the tribe of Ephraim to Zion in the tribe of

Judah, and the coincident transfer of pre-eminence in Israel from the

former to the latter tribe, as clearly evinced by David's settlement as

the head of the Church and nation. Though this was the execution of

God's purpose, the writer here shows that it also proceeded from the

divine judgment on Ephraim, under whose leadership the people had

manifested the same sinful and rebellious character which had

distinguished their ancestors in Egypt.

1. my people . . . my law--the language of a religious teacher

(Ps 78:2;

La 3:14;

Ro 2:16, 27;

compare

Ps 49:4).

The history which follows was a "dark saying," or riddle, if left

unexplained, and its right apprehension required wisdom and

attention.

3-8. This history had been handed down

(Ex 12:14;

De 6:20)

for God's honor, and that the principles of His law might be known and

observed by posterity. This important sentiment is reiterated in

(Ps 78:7, 8)

negative form.

5. testimony--

(Ps 19:7).

8. stubborn and rebellious--

(De 21:18).

set not their heart--on God's service

(2Ch 12:14).

9-11. The privileges of the first-born which belonged to Joseph

(1Ch 5:1, 2)

were assigned to Ephraim by Jacob

(Ge 48:1).

The supremacy of the tribe thus intimated was recognized by its

position (in the marching of the nation to Canaan) next to the ark

(Nu 2:18-24),

borders at Shiloh, and by the extensive and fertile province given for

its possession. Traces of this prominence remained after the schism

under Rehoboam, in the use, by later writers, of Ephraim for

Israel (compare

Ho 5:3-14; 11:3-12).

Though a strong, well-armed tribe, and, from an early period, emulous

and haughty (compare

Jos 17:14;

Jud 8:1-3;

2Sa 19:41),

it appears, in this place, that it had rather led the rest in cowardice

than courage; and had incurred God's displeasure, because, diffident of

His promise, though often heretofore fulfilled, it had failed as a

leader to carry out the terms of the covenant, by not driving out the

heathen

(Ex 23:24;

De 31:16;

2Ki 17:15).

12-14. A record of God's dealings and the sins of the people is now

made. The writer gives the history from the exode to the retreat from

Kadesh; then contrasts their sins with their reasons for confidence,

shown by a detail of God's dealings in Egypt, and presents a summary of

the subsequent history to David's time.

Zoan--for Egypt, as its ancient capital

(Nu 13:22;

Isa 19:11).

15, 16. There were two similar miracles

(Ex 17:6;

Nu 20:11).

great depths--and--rivers--denote abundance.

17-20. yet more--literally, "added to sin," instead of being led to

repentance

(Ro 2:4).

18. in their heart--

(Mt 15:19).

for their lust--literally, "soul," or, "desire."

provoking--and--tempted--illustrated by their absurd doubts,

19, 20. in the face of His admitted power.

21. fire--the effect of the "anger"

(Nu 11:1).

22. (Compare

Heb 8:8, 9).

23-29. (Compare

Ex 16:11-15;

Nu 11:4-9).

25. angels' food--literally, "bread of the mighty" (compare

Ps 105:40);

so called, as it came from heaven.

meat--literally, "victuals," as for a journey.

29. their . . . desire--what they longed for.

30, 31. not estranged . . . lust--or, "desire"--that is, were indulging

it.

31. slew . . . fattest--or, "among the fattest"; some of them--

chosen--the young and strong

(Isa 40:31),

and so none could resist.

33-39. Though there were partial reformations after chastisement,

and God, in pity, withdrew His hand for a time, yet their general conduct

was rebellious, and He was thus provoked to waste and destroy them, by long

and fruitless wandering in the desert.

36. lied . . . tongues--a feigned obedience

(Ps 18:44).

37. heart . . . not right--or, "firm"

(compare

Ps 78:8;

Ps 51:10).

39. a wind . . . again--literally, "a breath," thin air (compare

Ps 103:16;

Jas 4:14).

40, 41. There were ten temptations

(Nu 14:22).

41. limited--as in

Ps 78:19, 20.

Though some prefer "grieved" or "provoked." The retreat from Kadesh

(De 1:19-23)

is meant, whether--

turned--be for turning back, or to denote repetition of offense.

43. wrought--set or held forth.

45. The dog-fly or the mosquito.

46. caterpillar--the Hebrew name, from its voracity,

and that of--

locust--from its multitude.

47, 48. The additional effects of the storm here mentioned (compare

Ex 9:23-34)

are consistent with Moses' account.

48. gave . . . cattle--literally, "shut up" (compare

Ps 31:8).

49. evil angels--or, "angels of evil"--many were perhaps employed,

and other evils inflicted.

50, 51. made a way--removed obstacles, gave it full scope.

51. chief of their strength--literally, "first-fruits," or,

"first-born"

(Ge 49:3;

De 21:17).

Ham--one of whose sons gave name (Mizraim, Hebrew) to Egypt.

52-54. made his . . . forth--or, brought them by periodical journeys

(compare

Ex 15:1).

54. border of his sanctuary--or, "holy

border"--i. e., region of which--

this mountain--(Zion) was, as the seat of civil and religious

government, the representative, used for the whole land, as afterwards

for the Church

(Isa 25:6, 7).

purchased--or, "procured by His right hand" or power

(Ps 60:5).

55. by line--or, the portion thus measured.

divided them--that is, the heathen, put for their possessions, so

tents--that is, of the heathen (compare

De 6:11).

56, 57. a deceitful bow--which turns back, and so fails to project

the arrow

(2Sa 1:22;

Ho 7:16).

They relapsed.

58. Idolatry resulted from sparing the heathen (compare

Ps 78:9-11).

59, 60. heard--perceived

(Ge 11:7).

abhorred--but not utterly.

60. tent . . . placed--literally, "caused to dwell," set up

(Jos 18:1).

61. his strength--the ark, as symbolical of it

(Ps 96:6).

62. gave--or, "shut up."

his people--

(Ps 78:48;

1Sa 4:10-17).

63. fire--either figure of the slaughter

(1Sa 4:10),

or a literal burning by the heathen.

given to marriage--literally, "praised"--that is, as brides.

64. (Compare

1Sa 4:17);

and there were, doubtless, others.

made no lamentation--either because stupefied by grief, or hindered

65. (Compare

Ps 22:16;

Isa 42:13).

66. And he smote . . . part--or, "struck His enemies' back." The

Philistines never regained their position after their defeats by David.

67, 68. tabernacle of Joseph--or, "home," or, "tribe," to which--

tribe of Ephraim--is parallel (compare

Re 7:8).

Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the

choice

(Ge 49:10).

69. Exalted as--

high palaces--or, "mountains," and abiding as--the earth.

70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast

is striking--humility and exaltation--and the correspondence is

beautiful.

71. following . . . ewes, &c.--literally, "ewes giving

suck" (compare

Isa 40:11).

On the pastoral terms, compare

Ps 79:13.