Psalm 78:19, Psalm 78:20 NIV

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

Psalms 78:1-72THIS psalm is closely related to Psalms 105:1-45; Psalms 106:1-48; Psalms 107:1-43. Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continuous ingratitude, which has ever been punished by national calamities. The psalm departs singularly from... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 78:1-72

Psalm 78-83 Psalms 78:0 A Historical Retrospect 1. The call to hear (Psalms 78:1-8 ) 2. Ephraim’s failure (Psalms 78:9-11 ) 3. His dealings in power and mercy (Psalms 78:12-55 ) 4. The continued provocation (Psalms 78:56-64 ) 5. His sovereign grace in choosing David (Psalms 78:65-72 ) This historical retrospect needs no further comment. It is God speaking to the hearts of His people through their own history from Egypt to David. How graciously He dealt with them all the way! The... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 78:19

78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God {m} furnish a table in the wilderness?(m) Thus when we give place to sin, we are moved to doubt God’s power, unless he is always ready to serve our lust. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

Psalms 67:0 The first half dozen of these psalms form a group millennial and Messianic. The first is millennial. It is Israel who speaks; the psalm cannot be appreciated unless the word “us” in Psalms 67:1 is so applied. When God has mercy upon and blesses Israel in the latter days, His way and His saving health unto all nations (Psalms 67:2 ) will begin to be known. In other words, the present age is one of out-gathering, but the age to come (millennial) will be one of in-gathering. God is now... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 78:1-72

Day and Night Leading Psa 78:14 Did some man imagine this? I thank him. Life is the sweeter for having such men among us. What a man it was that thought of this condescension and love on the part of the miracle-working God described in this most musical psalm! It was worth being born to imagine this conception of God. It is so tender, so fatherlike, so comforting; it is charged to the full with inspiration of the best kind; it makes all things feel securer; it brings to the soul contributions... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 78:17-20

Here we have a full representation of Israel's unworthiness, as the preceding verses gave us a short relation of God's mercy. Reader, had you and I been present when, at the lifting up of the rod of Moses, water issued from a dry unpromising rock, could we have thought it possible that Israel would have again doubted God's power or his love? Pause. - Are we better than they? What hath not Jesus done for you, for me, for all his church and people? And do we not find rebellious murmurings,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:1-39

1-8 These are called dark and deep sayings, because they are carefully to be looked into. The law of God was given with a particular charge to teach it diligently to their children, that the church may abide for ever. Also, that the providences of God, both in mercy and in judgment, might encourage them to conform to the will of God. The works of God much strengthen our resolution to keep his commandments. Hypocrisy is the high road to apostacy; those that do not set their hearts right, will... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 78:12-72

The Narrative of God's Deeds v. 12. Marvelous things did He in the sight of their fathers, before the exodus, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan, this being the residence of the Pharaohs at the time of the deliverance from Egypt, Numbers 14:22. The miracles performed by Moses were probably all done in or near this capital, and it is mentioned also at a later date because it was located in the most easterly portion of Egypt, in the part nearest to the land of Canaan. v. 13. He divided... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 78:1-72

Psalms 78:0Maschil of Asaph1 Give ear, O my people, to my law:Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.2 I will open my mouth in a parable:I will utter dark sayings of old:3 Which we have heard and known,And our fathers have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children,Shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,And his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.5 For he established a testimony in Jacob,And appointed a law in Israel,Which... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 78:13-24

“A Table in the Wilderness” Psalms 78:13-24 Throughout this wonderful recital there is a perpetual contrast between God’s unswerving goodness and the incessant backsliding of His people; and as we read it, we learn that sin is not simply the violation of the divine law, but a source of pain and trouble to our Heavenly Father’s heart. For us He cleaves the seas, leads us in the daytime, builds His watch-fires around us at night, and brings streams of blessing from the rocks. But we tempt Him... read more