Psalms 78

Psalms 78:1

Title. Mascbil = Instruction. The tenth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 82, and App-65.

of Asaph = by, or for Asaph. Asaph was a “seer” or prophet (2 Chronicles 29:30). This Psalm is concerning the choosing a site for the Sanctuary. The seventh of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63.

ears. Hebrew text = ear. Some codices, with Aramaean and Syriac, read “ears”.

Psalms 78:2

I will open, &c. Quoted in Matthew 13:35.

parable . . . dark sayings. Compare Psalms 49:5. Same words. The Psalm has a moral: showing that Divine history contains more than appears on the surface.

Psalms 78:3

known = come to know.

Psalms 78:4

children = sons.

Shewing = Recounting.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

wonderful works = wonders. Compare Psalms 77:11, Psalms 77:14.

Psalms 78:5

commanded our fathers. Compare Exodus 10:2; Exodus 12:26, Exodus 12:27; Exodus 13:8-10, Exodus 13:14, Exodus 13:15. Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 6:20, &c.

Psalms 78:7

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

Psalms 78:8

rebellious. Compare Deuteronomy 9:24; Deuteronomy 31:27.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

with. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read “toward”.

Psalms 78:9

Ephraim. The mention of Ephraim is not “perplexing”. See explanation in next verse, and in the events of Jdg 12:1-6; Judges 12:17, Judges 12:18: viz. the introduction of idolatry. It is sin which is spoken of. See Psalms 78:57, “deceitful bow”. Compare Hosea 7:16; Hosea 10:6-8.

carrying bows: i.e. though equipped as bowmen, yet were faithless. This is transferred to the moral application.

Psalms 78:10

kept not. See note on Psalms 78:9.

Psalms 78:12

Zoan. See note on Exodus 1:10.

Psalms 78:13

divided. Compare Exodus 14:21.

as an heap. Compare Exodus 14:22; Exodus 15:8.

Psalms 78:14

led them. Compare Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:24; and note the correspondence of 13-16 with 52-55, in the Structure above.

Psalms 78:15

clave. Hebrew. baka’ (in Piel), implying repeated cleaving.

rocks. Hebrew. zur. Same word as in Ex. 17. The two events brought together here.

drink as out of. Some codices, with seven early printed editions, read “drink in the”.

Psalms 78:17

sinned. Hebrew. chata’. t

he MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4. Compare Psalms 78:35, and Psalms 77:10.

Psalms 78:18

lust = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Psalms 78:19

spake against. Compare Numbers 11:4-6.

Psalms 78:22

trusted not = confided not. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

Psalms 78:23

clouds = skies.

opened the doors. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6. Compare Genesis 7:11.

Psalms 78:24

manna. Bread; not “the drops of the tarfu or tamarisk tree”, as alleged. See John 6:31, John 6:49-51.

of heaven: i.e. from heaven; not from trees.

Psalms 78:25

angels’ food = bread of the mighty ones. Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic, with Targums, render it “bread of angels”. The “of” may be Genitive of Agent. See App-17.

Psalms 78:27

rained. As in Psalms 78:24.

as the sand. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6.

Psalms 78:30

not estranged = not turned away from.

their lust. What they had longed for.

Psalms 78:31

The wrath, &c. Compare John 3:36. Ephesians 5:6. Colossians 3:6.

Psalms 78:32

For all this = In, or amid all this.

Psalms 78:33

in vanity = in a breath. i.e. the whole generation of men quickly died out. Compare Numbers 14:29, Numbers 14:35; Numbers 26:64, Numbers 26:65.

Psalms 78:35

THE HIGH GOD. Hebrew ’El ’Elyon . = EL MOST HIGH.

redeemer. Hebrew. ga’al. See note on Exodus 6:6; Exodus 13:13.

Psalms 78:36

tongues. Hebrew = tongue (singular)

Psalms 78:37

covenant. If that of Exo 34:5-10, then note the reference to it in Psalms 78:38, below.

Psalms 78:38

iniquity. Hebrew ’avah. App-44.

destroyed = laid waste.

Psalms 78:39

He remembered. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare “They forgat”, Psalms 78:11.

flesh. Compare Genesis 6:3; Genesis 8:21. Psalms 103:14-16.

A wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Psalms 78:40

How oft. Ten times at least in the first two years (Numbers 14:22).

Psalms 78:41

turned back: i.e. again and again.

limited. Hebrew. tavah, to set a mark (Ezekiel 9:4), the only other occurrence of the Hiphil; hence, to set a limit.

the Holy One of Israel. This title occurs only three times in the Psalms: here (Psalms 78:41); in the last Davidic Psalm of the second book (Psalms 71:22); and in the last Psalm of this third book (Psalms 89:18).

Psalms 78:42

They remembered not. Contrast Psalms 78:39, “He remembered”.

delivered. Hebrew. padah, as in Exodus 13:13.

Psalms 78:43

signs in Egypt. The Psalm, verses: Psalms 78:44-51, does not profess to give a list of the “ten plagues”; so that there is no ground for the assumption as to only a “Jehovist” document being known to the writer. He selects according to his special purpose. He names the first and the last, and omits the third (lice), fifth (murrain), sixth (boils), and the ninth (darkness).

Psalms 78:44

turned their rivers. The first plague (Exodus 7:17, &c).

Psalms 78:45

flies. The fourth plague (Exodus 8:21).

frogs. The second plague (Exodus 8:5, Exodus 8:6).

Psalms 78:46

caterpiller = corn locust. A more specific word than Exodus 10:1-20. It occurs in Joe 1:4; Joe 2:25.

labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the fruit of labour.

Psalms 78:47

destroyed = killed.

hail. The seventh plague (Exodus 9:18).

frost. Word occurs nowhere else. Probably = hailstones.

Psalms 78:48

hot thunderbolts: or lightnings (Exodus 9:23).

Psalms 78:49

sending = letting loose.

evil angels. In distinction from “demons”. Compare 1 Timothy 4:1, where both are mentioned. Compare Exodus 12:23. 2 Samuel 24:16.

Psalms 78:50

made = pondered, or weighed. Compare Proverbs 4:26; Proverbs 5:6, Proverbs 5:21. Contrast Isaiah 26:7.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Psalms 78:51

strength = strengths (plural) Manly vigour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the firstborn. Compare Genesis 49:3. Deuteronomy 21:17. Psalms 105:36.

tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. ’ohel. App-40.

Ham = Egypt. Compare Psalms 105:23, Psalms 105:27; Psalms 106:22.

Psalms 78:52

wilderness. Compare Isaiah 63:11-14.

Psalms 78:53

led = gently led. compare verses: Psalms 78:13-16.

overwhelmed. Compare Exodus 14:27; Exodus 15:10.

Psalms 78:54

His sanctuary: i.e. Zion. See App-68.

this mountain: viz. the one in the writer’s view; not in “the memory of an exile in Babylon”.

Psalms 78:55

heathen = nations.

by line. Sometimes this is put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the inheritance itself which was measured off by it. Compare Psalms 19:4.

Psalms 78:56

the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. ’eth ’Elohim ’Elyon. App-4.

Psalms 78:57

turned back. See the Structure (17-20 and 56-58).

a deceitful bow: disappointing the bowman. Compare Hosea 7:16.

graven images. Same word as Deuteronomy 7:5. Includes all images, whether carved, graven, or molten.

Psalms 78:59

When God heard this, He. There is no “When” in the Hebrew Render: “God heard this, and He was wroth”

heard. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

Psalms 78:60

tabernacle = habitation. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40(2).

Shiloh. Compare Judges 18:1, Judges 18:31; 1 Samuel 4:3.

men. Hebrew. adam.

Psalms 78:61

strength. One of the names for the Ark of the Covenant (Compare Psalms 63:2; Psalms 132:8). See notes on Exodus 25:22. 1 Chronicles 13:3.

glory. Another name for the Ark (1 Samuel 4:22).

Psalms 78:62

unto the sword. Compare 1 Samuel 4:10.

Psalms 78:63

were not given to marriage = were not praised: i.e. had no marriage song.

Psalms 78:64

priests. Compare 1 Samuel 4:11.

Psalms 78:65

the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim changed “Jehovah” to “Adonai”. See App-32.

as one out of sleep. Supply Ellipsis (App-6) = “as one [awaketh] out of sleep”.

Psalms 78:66

the hinder parts = rear, or backward.

Psalms 78:67

chose not. Ephraim did not lose inheritance, but lost precedence, which was transferred to Judah.

Psalms 78:68

which He loved. The proof of which was the removal of the Ark to Zion.

Psalms 78:69

Like the earth. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read (Beth = in) instead of (Kaph = like) = “In the land”.

Psalms 78:70

chose David. Compare 1 Samuel 16:11, 1 Samuel 16:12. This is the climax of the Psalm.

Psalms 78:71

To feed = To shepherd.

To feed Jacob. Compare 2 Samuel 7:7, 2 Samuel 7:8.

His people. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read “His servant”.

Israel. Note the two names: Jacob, the natural seed; Israel, the spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28.

Psalms 78:72

skilfulness = discernment, or understanding.