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. read more
CONTINUED WICKEDNESS OF ISRAEL IN CANAAN"Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, And kept not his testimonies; But turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers: They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places; And moved him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, he was wroth, And greatly abhorred Israel; So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, The tent which he placed among men; And delivered... read more
Psalms 78:57. They were turned aside, &c.— This is explained by Psa 78:9 where the same word is used. The bow means a body of bowmen, who in the crisis of battle, like the Ephraimites above, either turn their bows against you, or run away. Mudge. read more
Psalms 78This didactic psalm teaches present and future generations to learn from the past, and it stresses the grace of God. Didactic psalms offer wisdom to the reader. Some have called this a history psalm (cf. Psalms 105, 106, 114, 135, , 136). [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 230.] "This could be sub-titled, in view of Psalms 78:12; Psalms 78:68, From Zoan to Zion, for it reviews the turbulent adolescence of Israel from its time of slavery in Egypt to the reign of David. Like the... read more
3. The record of God’s goodness and Israel’s unfaithfulness 78:12-72 read more
After Joshua died, the people again tested God by failing to drive the inhabitants of the land out as He had commanded them to do. They turned from Him to worship false gods (Psalms 78:56-58). Consequently God permitted the Philistines to capture the ark at Shiloh (cf. 1 Samuel 4:4-11). Many Israelites died on that occasion, including the priests Hophni and Phinehas (Psalms 78:64). read more
This long historical Ps. may be compared with Psalms 105, 106, and with Deuteronomy 32. It traces the course of God’s relations with His people from the exodus down to the time of David, and dwells on the repeated manifestations of Israel’s rebelliousness, on the chastisements by which they were visited, and on the patient mercy of God which continued to bless them in spite of all their sins. The Ps. does not follow a strict chronological order, but records first Israel’s ingratitude for God’s... read more
(57) Turned aside . . .—Better, turned like a relaxed bow. (See Note to Psalms 78:9.) The bows of the Hebrews, like those of other ancient nations, were probably, when unstrung, bent the reverse way to that assumed when strung, which makes the figure more expressive of the disposition which cannot be relied upon in the moment of need. read more
Psalms 78:7 In its original application this verse is simply a statement of God's purpose in giving to Israel the Law, and such a history of deliverance. So, then, the words may permissibly bear the application which I purpose to make of them in this sermon, re-echoing only the thoughts which the season has already, I suppose, more or less, suggested to most of us. Though every day be a New Year's Day, still the alteration in our dates and our calendars should set us all thinking of that... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-68
Psalms 78:0 Lessons from historyBeing a true teacher, the psalmist is concerned for the spiritual condition of his people. His present intention is to comment on events in the history of Israel so that people of future generations may take heed (1-4). God gave his law to his people to guide them. The record of his faithfulness will be an encouragement, the record of Israel’s failures a warning (5-8).The first reminder is of the stubbornness of the tribe of Ephraim in one of Israel’s early... read more