Psalms 78:10
Psalms 78:10 in Multiple Translations
They failed to keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
They kept not the covenant of God, And refused to walk in his law;
They were not ruled by God's word, and they would not go in the way of his law;
They did not keep God's agreement, and refused to follow his laws.
They kept not the couenant of God, but refused to walke in his Lawe,
They have not kept the covenant of God, And in His law they have refused to walk,
They didn’t keep God’s covenant, and refused to walk in his law.
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:
They did not do what they had agreed with God that they would do; they refused to obey his laws.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:10
BAB
Word Study
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Psalms 78:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹ֣א
שָׁ֭מְרוּ
בְּרִ֣ית
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
וּ֝/בְ/תוֹרָת֗/וֹ
מֵאֲנ֥וּ
לָ/לֶֽכֶת
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
שָׁ֭מְרוּ
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בְּרִ֣ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
וּ֝/בְ/תוֹרָת֗/וֹ
tôwrâh
H8451
instruction
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
מֵאֲנ֥וּ
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
לָ/לֶֽכֶת
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:10
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
שָׁ֭מְרוּ
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
בְּרִ֣ית
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וּ֝/בְ/תוֹרָת֗/וֹ
tôwrâh
H8451
"instruction"
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Definition: 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: law. See also: Genesis 26:5; Nehemiah 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
מֵאֲנ֥וּ
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
לָ/לֶֽכֶת
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:10
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
- Sermons on Psalms 78:10
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
8Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9The archers of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle.
10They failed to keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law.
11They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. 12He worked wonders before their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 31:20 | When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 31:16 | And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. |
| 3 | Nehemiah 9:26–29 | But they were disobedient and rebelled against You; they flung Your law behind their backs. They killed Your prophets, who had admonished them to return to You. They committed terrible blasphemies. So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey. |
| 4 | Judges 2:10–12 | After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel. And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, |
| 5 | Jeremiah 31:32 | It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the LORD. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 17:14–15 | But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and themselves became worthless, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. |
Psalms 78:10 Summary
[Psalms 78:10 tells us that the people failed to keep God's covenant and refused to live by His law, which means they didn't follow God's rules and promises. This is like when we make a promise to someone, but then we don't keep it. God wants us to keep our promises to Him and follow His rules, as outlined in Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20. When we don't, it can lead to trouble and separation from God, but when we do obey Him, we can experience His love, joy, and peace, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to fail to keep God's covenant?
Failing to keep God's covenant, as mentioned in Psalms 78:10, means not following the promises and agreements made with God, such as those outlined in Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, and instead living according to one's own desires and rules.
Why did the people refuse to live by God's law?
The people refused to live by God's law, as stated in Psalms 78:10, likely because they were rebellious and stubborn, as described in Psalms 78:8, and did not want to submit to God's authority and guidance, as seen in Romans 8:7-8.
What are the consequences of not keeping God's covenant and living by His law?
The consequences of not keeping God's covenant and living by His law, as seen in Psalms 78:10, can be severe, including God's judgment and discipline, as described in Hebrews 12:5-11, and a lack of spiritual growth and maturity, as mentioned in 1 Peter 2:2.
How can we avoid failing to keep God's covenant and live by His law?
To avoid failing to keep God's covenant and live by His law, we must study and obey God's Word, as commanded in Joshua 1:8, and seek to live a life of surrender and submission to God, as described in Romans 12:1-2, trusting in His power and grace to help us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be failing to keep God's covenant in my own life, and how can I repent and turn back to Him?
- How can I cultivate a heart that is loyal and faithful to God, as described in Psalms 78:8?
- What are some of God's laws and commands that I may be refusing to live by, and how can I begin to obey them?
- In what ways can I remember and reflect on God's wonders and works in my life, as mentioned in Psalms 78:11, to help me stay faithful to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:10
They kept not the covenant of God,.... Either the covenant of circumcision, which was neglected during their travels through the wilderness, Joshua 5:5 or the covenant made with the people of Israel
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:10
The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. -The Israelites failed to realize the high destination which was the very object for which God called them into national existence.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
Their disobedience was accompanied with obstinacy and contempt of God’ s laws.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
Psalms 78:10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;Ver. 10. They kept not the covenant, &c.] And so betrayed themselves into the hands of divine justice, they were worthily worsted. See 2 Chronicles 15:2. And refused to walk in his law] They were set upon it, and would not be ruled by their father Ephraim, or any other that counselled them to the contrary; and haply said the like to them that Archidamus did to his too daring son, Aut viribus adde aut animis adime, Either add to thy forces or abate of thy courage.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
Verse 10. They kept not the covenant of God] They abandoned his worship, both moral and ritual. They acted like the Ephraimites in the above case, who threw down their bows and arrows, and ran away.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:10
10. the covenant of God] See Exodus 19:5; Exodus 24:3; Exodus 24:7-8.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:10
They kept not the covenant of God - The covenant which God had made with the entire Hebrew people. They did not maintain their allegiance to Yahweh. Compare Deuteronomy 4:13, Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 17:2.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:10
10. They kept not the covenant of God—As already stated, they had forsaken God, and God had now forsaken them, and this was the real cause of their cowardice, which is here set down as crime.
Sermons on Psalms 78:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Dangers of Third Generation Religion by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers that the people of God face in their pursuit of worldly things and experiences. He emphasizes that the only thing the God of this |
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Where Were the Men? by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Barak and Deborah from the book of Judges. The sermon highlights the potential and heart of God that is revealed in this story. |
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One Nation Above God by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of returning to God and the foundational principles of biblical values that shaped the nation. It discusses the significance of prayer, the da |
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Why Didn't Someone Do Something? by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of remembering in various aspects: remembering God's commands, the nation's history, and the need for revival. It calls for prayer, fasting, a |
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Judges 2:7 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the cyclical nature of Israel's history in the book of Judges, where each generation experiences God's power, only to forget Him in times of prosperity. He h |
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Bible Survey - Judges by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the Book of Judges, highlighting the themes of the faithfulness of the Covenant-keeping God and the unfaithfulness of the Covenant-breaking people. The bo |
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What Might America Look Like in 2020? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman delivers a powerful sermon warning about the potential consequences of America straying from God's principles, using fictitious but alarming headlines to illustrate t |