Psalms 78:52
Psalms 78:52 in Multiple Translations
He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But he led forth his own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But he took his people out like sheep, guiding them in the waste land like a flock.
But he led out his people like sheep, and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
But hee made his people to goe out like sheepe, and led them in the wildernes like a flocke.
And causeth His people to journey as a flock, And guideth them as a drove in a wilderness,
But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
Then he led his people out of Egypt like a shepherd leads his sheep [SIM], and he guided them while they walked through the desert.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:52
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:52 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּסַּ֣ע
כַּ/צֹּ֣אן
עַמּ֑/וֹ
וַֽ/יְנַהֲגֵ֥/ם
כַּ֝/עֵ֗דֶר
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
וַ/יַּסַּ֣ע
nâçaʻ
H5265
to set out
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
כַּ/צֹּ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Prep | N-cs
עַמּ֑/וֹ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
וַֽ/יְנַהֲגֵ֥/ם
nâhag
H5090
to lead
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
כַּ֝/עֵ֗דֶר
ʻêder
H5739
flock
Prep | N-ms
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:52
וַ/יַּסַּ֣ע
nâçaʻ
H5265
"to set out"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to set out or start a journey, like the Israelites departing from Egypt, or to remove something, as in pulling up tent pins.
Definition: 1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull out or up 1a2) to set out, depart 1a3) to journey, march 1a4) to set forth (of wind) 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up 1c2) to remove, quarry
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way. See also: Genesis 11:2; Numbers 33:9; Psalms 78:26.
כַּ/צֹּ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Prep | N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
עַמּ֑/וֹ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וַֽ/יְנַהֲגֵ֥/ם
nâhag
H5090
"to lead"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To moan means to sigh or lament, like in Psalm 77:3 when the psalmist moaned in his sleepless night. It can also mean to lead or guide someone, like in 1 Samuel 25:42 when Abigail led her maids to follow David.
Definition: 1) to drive, lead, guide, conduct 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drive, lead on, drive away, drive off 1a2) to behave itself (fig.) (of heart) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to drive away, lead off 1b2) to lead on, guide, guide on 1b3) to cause to drive
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth). See also: Genesis 31:18; 1 Chronicles 20:1; Psalms 48:15.
כַּ֝/עֵ֗דֶר
ʻêder
H5739
"flock"
Prep | N-ms
A flock refers to a group of animals, like sheep or cattle, that are herded together. In the Bible, it can also mean a herd or a drove of animals. This term is used to describe various scenes in the Bible.
Definition: 1) flock, herd 1a) flock 1b) herds, flocks and herds
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: drove, flock, herd. See also: Genesis 29:2; Isaiah 17:2; Psalms 78:52.
בַּ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:52
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
50He cleared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but delivered their lives to the plague.
51He struck all the firstborn of Egypt, the virility in the tents of Ham.
52He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness.
53He led them safely, so they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies. 54He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain His right hand had acquired.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 9:12 | You led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they should travel. |
| 2 | Psalms 77:20 | You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. |
| 3 | John 10:11–42 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?” But others replied, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” At that time the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade. So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf. But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.” Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God? If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there. Many came to Him and said, “Although John never performed a sign, everything he said about this man was true.” And many in that place believed in Jesus. |
| 4 | Isaiah 63:11–14 | Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them, who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name. |
| 5 | Luke 15:4–6 | “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ |
| 6 | Psalms 105:37 | He brought Israel out with silver and gold, and none among His tribes stumbled. |
| 7 | Isaiah 40:11 | He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. |
| 8 | Psalms 95:7 | For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice, |
| 9 | Psalms 100:3 | Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. |
| 10 | Jeremiah 23:2–4 | Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD. |
Psalms 78:52 Summary
Psalms 78:52 tells us that God led His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness. This means that God takes care of us and shows us the way, even when things seem scary or unsure, just like a shepherd takes care of his sheep (John 10:11). We can trust God to guide us through life's challenges, just as the Israelites trusted Him in the wilderness (Exodus 14:13-14). By following God's guidance, we can find comfort, protection, and direction, and live a life that honors Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be led like sheep in the wilderness?
Being led like sheep in the wilderness, as seen in Psalms 78:52, signifies God's gentle guidance and care for His people, even in uncertain and challenging environments, much like a shepherd tends to his flock (Isaiah 40:11, John 10:11).
How does God's guidance in the wilderness relate to our lives today?
Just as God guided the Israelites through the wilderness, He guides us through life's challenges, offering comfort, protection, and direction, as promised in Psalms 32:8 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
What role does trust play in being guided by God?
Trust is essential in being guided by God, as seen in Psalms 78:52, for it allows us to have faith in His plan and timing, even when the path ahead is uncertain, just as the Israelites had to trust God in the wilderness (Exodus 14:13-14, Psalms 37:3-7).
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual leadership?
This verse illustrates God's role as the ultimate spiritual leader, guiding His people with care and wisdom, setting an example for human leaders to follow, as taught in 1 Peter 5:2-4 and Ezekiel 34:11-16.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I trust God to guide me through the 'wilderness' of my current challenges?
- How can I apply the concept of being 'led like sheep' to my daily decisions and actions?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper sense of trust and reliance on God's guidance in my life?
- In what areas of my life do I need to surrender to God's leadership, just as a sheep surrenders to the guidance of its shepherd?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:52
But made his own people to go forth like sheep,.... The people of Israel, whom the Lord chose to be his peculiar people above all others; these he caused to go forth out of Egypt, with a mighty hand
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:52
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:52
Psalms 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.Ver. 52. But made his own people to go forth like sheep] i.e. Tuto et lente, softly and safely, as Genesis 33:13, tending them with all tenderness, and providing for their necessities.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:52
40–55. But as God multiplied His mercies, Israel multiplied its acts of rebellion: and in order to set the heinousness of their ingratitude in a still stronger light, the Psalmist goes back to recount the miracles which preceded and prepared for the Exodus.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:52
But made his own people to go forth like sheep ... - That is, he was a shepherd to them. He defended them; provided for them; led them - as a shepherd does his flock. See the notes at Psalms 23:1-2.
Sermons on Psalms 78:52
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Heavenly Calling - Part 11 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of God as the good shepherd and his relationship with his people. He references various passages from the Bible, including Psalms |
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Is Not This the Carpenter? by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the church to bend their knees before God and surrender to His will. He encourages the congregation to trust in God's faithfuln |
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How God Provided for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses how God provided for the children of Israel during their time in the wilderness. He focuses on the story of Moses striking the rock to |
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The Shepherd of Israel by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep, illustrating how Jesus, as the good Shepherd, cares for His flock and offers them eternal |
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Our Daily Homily - Nehemiah by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of Nehemiah's role as a cupbearer, illustrating how God can use humble individuals for great purposes. Nehemiah's heartfelt prayers and tears |
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(John) 01 - the Past by Alan Redpath | The video is a sermon on the Gospel of John, specifically focusing on the prologue and the themes presented in the book. The speaker emphasizes that analyzing this gospel is almost |
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The Aroma of Prayer by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and its transformative power in people's lives. He shares his personal journey of learning about prayer and witnessi |