Psalm 78:60-64

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:61

Verse 61 61.And he delivered his strength into captivity. In this verse, the same subject is prosecuted: it is declared, that the strength of God, by which the Israelites had been shielded and defended, was at that time in captivity. Not that his power could only be exerted in connection with the outward symbol; but instead of opposing their enemies as he had formerly done, it was now his will that the grace by which he had preserved his people should, so to speak, be led captive. This,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:62

Verse 62 62.And he shut up his people to the sword. Other parts of the calamity which befell Israel in the time of the high priest Eli are here mentioned. God, in permitting the ark to be carried away, showed that he had withdrawn his favor from them. This was also demonstrated from the fact, that all the flower of the people — those who were in the prime and blush of manhood — were consumed by the wrath of God: which is expressed by the fire devouring them. But this language is metaphorical,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

The psalm is, as the title also declares, one of "instruction." It seeks to keep the people faithful to David and his house, and to check their tendency to place themselves under the leadership of the tribe of Ephraim, by recalling the whole course of God's dealings with Israel in the past, from the time of the sojourn in Egypt to the establishment of David's kingdom. It also seeks to keep them faithful to God, by showing how all their past calamities and sufferings had arisen out of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

Whole psalm: Warnings against unbelief. I. ITS PURPOSE . 1 . To warn Ephraim; not to taunt and exult over him, but to warn. This psalm seems to belong to the period of the disruption. Ephraim, with the other northern tribes, had broken away from Judah and from the worship of God, and this psalm seems designed, by its recital of their old sins and the consequences thereof, to warn them against like sin in the future (cf. 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 .). 2 . To warn Judah. If... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:9-72

The historical portion of the psalm now follows. It commences with some general remarks on the transgressions of Ephraim, i.e. of Israel while under the guidance of Ephraim—from Joshua to Samuel (verses 9-11). It then proceeds to details, and sketches the Israelite history. from the deliverance out of Egypt to the establishment of David's kingdom (verses 12-72). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:60

So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh. The "tabernacle of the congregation" was first set up under Joshua ( Joshua 18:1-28 .) at Shiloh, a city of Ephraim, and here the national sanctuary continued throughout the period of the Judges ( 18:31 ; 21:19 ; 1 Samuel 1:3 , 1 Samuel 1:24 ; 1 Samuel 2:14 ; 1 Samuel 3:21 ; 1 Samuel 4:4 , etc.). God was regarded as having "forsaken" this sanctuary, when he allowed the ark of the covenant, its chief treasure, to be taken ( 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:61

And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand . God's "strength" and "glory" is the ark of the covenant (compare the expression in 1 Samuel 4:21 , 1 Samuel 4:22 , "The glory is departed from Israel"). (For the capture and "captivity" of the ark, see 1 Samuel 4:17 , and 1 Samuel 4:5 ; 1 Samuel 6:1-21 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:62

He gave his people over also unto the sword. Thirty thousand Israelites were slain in the battle in which the ark was captured (see 1 Samuel 4:10 ). And was wroth with his inheritance (comp. Psalms 28:9 ; Psalms 33:12 ; Psalms 106:5 , Psalms 106:40 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:63

The fire consumed their young men. The reference is not to such passages as Le Psalms 10:2 ; Numbers 11:1 ; Numbers 16:35 , where a literal fire seems to be spoken of, but rather to the fire of war ( Numbers 21:28 ; Isaiah 26:11 ; Jeremiah 48:45 ), or more generally to the fire of the Divine anger ( Isaiah 10:16-18 ; Isaiah 47:14 , etc.). And their maidens were not given to marriage; literally, were not praised in song; i.e. in the bridal song. The destruction of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:64

Their priests fell by the sword. As Hophni and Phinehas at the taking of the ark ( 1 Samuel 4:11 ), and, no doubt, many others on other occasions. And their widows made no lamentation. The solemn funeral dirge could not take place, since the bodies remained on the battlefield. read more

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