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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:40-72

The matter and scope of this paragraph are the same with the former, showing what great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel, how provoking they had been, what judgments he had brought upon them for their sins, and yet how, in judgment, he remembered mercy at last. Let not those that receive mercy from God be thereby emboldened to sin, for the mercies they receive will aggravate their sin and hasten the punishment of it; yet let not those that are under divine rebukes for sin be discouraged... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart ,.... Or, "reigned over them", as the Targum; that is, over the people of Israel, and which he did in such manner as showed uprightness of heart, and that he was, as his character is, a man after God's own heart: it appeared, by his administration of government, that he sought not his own honour and interest, and the aggrandizing of his family, but the good of his people, and the glory of God; and this character, in the fullest extent,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them - Here David is mentioned as having terminated his reign. He had fed the people, according to the integrity of his heart, for that was ever disposed to do the will of God in the administration of the kingdom: and his hand being skillful in war, he always led them out to victory against their enemies. 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 78:67-72

God's chosen ones. These verses show that they whom God chooses are— I. OFTEN NOT FOUND AMONGST THE GREAT . ( Psalms 78:67 .) Ephraim was the lordly tribe, the aristocracy of Israel. They had a long roll call of illustrious names. But God "refused the tabernacle of Joseph" (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1-31 .). II. BUT , NEVERTHELESS , THEY MAY BE . ( Psalms 78:68 .) For the tribe of Judah was but little less exalted than Ephraim. God puts no ban upon any rank,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart. On the whole, David performed his task of governing Israel faithfully. He had the direct testimony of God to that effect (see 1 Kings 9:4 ). And he guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. David was not only an upright and faithful king, but also a "skilful" or prudent one. He built up his kingdom into an empire without suffering any serious disasters. Israel reached its acme of glory and prosperity under him, decline setting in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 78:72

So he fed them - He performed toward them the office of a shepherd.According to the integrity of his heart - literally, “According to the perfection of his heart.” That is, he was upright and pure in the administration of his government.And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands - literally, “by the understanding of his hands” - as if the hand had been endued with intelligence. Compare Psalms 144:1 : “Which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” See also Psalms 137:5. The... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 78:72

Psalms 78:72. So he fed them Having so great a trust put into his hands, he obtained mercy of the Lord to be found both skilful and faithful in the discharge of it; he fed them That is, he ruled and taught them, guided and protected them, 1st, Very honestly; according to the integrity of his heart Aiming at nothing else but the glory of God, and the good of the people committed to his charge. The principles of religion were the maxims of his government, which he administered, not with... read more

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