Psalm 78:34 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:9-39

In these verses, I. The psalmist observes the late rebukes of Providence that the people of Israel had been under, which they had brought upon themselves by their dealing treacherously with God, Ps. 78:9-11. The children of Ephraim, in which tribe Shiloh was, though they were well armed and shot with bows, yet turned back in the day of battle. This seems to refer to that shameful defeat which the Philistines gave them in Eli's time, when they took the ark prisoner, 1 Sam. 4:10, 11. Of this the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:34

When he slew them ,.... Some of them, the spies particularly; or when he threatened to slay them, or was about to do it: then they sought him ; that is, those who either survived the slain, or were threatened with destruction; these sought the Lord by prayer and supplication, that he would not destroy them; the Targum is, "they repented and sought him;' see Numbers 14:37 , and they returned ; from their evil ways, and by repentance, at least in show and appearance: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:34

When he slew them - While his judgments were upon them, then they began to humble themselves, and deprecate his wrath. When they saw some fall, the rest began to tremble. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:34

Verse 34 34.When he slew them, then they sought him. By the circumstance here recorded, it is intended to aggravate their guilt. When under a conviction of their wickedness they acknowledged that they were justly punished, and yet did not with sincerity of heart humble themselves before God, but rather mocked him, intending to put him off with false pretences, their impiety was the less excusable. If a man who has lost his judgment does not feel his own calamities, he is excusable because he is... 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 78:32-39

God's tender mercy. This passage describes the conduct of the rebellious and lustful Israelites in the wilderness, and sets forth three things—God's chastisement of their sin; their superficial repentance; God's pitiful compassion. I. GOD 'S CHASTISEMENT OF SIN . ( Psalms 78:33 , Psalms 78:34 .) "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." 1 . Their sin was sensual indifference to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him (comp. Exodus 32:28 , Exodus 32:35 ; Exodus 33:4 , Exodus 33:10 ; Numbers 11:33 ; Numbers 16:48 , Numbers 16:49 , etc.). The repentance is not always noticed in the Mosaic narrative, being, as it was, short-lived, if not even feigned ( Psalms 78:36 ). But, no doubt, after each outpouring of the Divine vengeance, there was at least some show of repentance, as noted in Exodus 33:4 . And they returned — i.e. turned back from their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:34

Mercy remembered in wrath. "When he slew them," etc. Sin is not all wilfulness; it is also infirmity—our calamity as well as our crime. Perhaps, otherwise, repentance and pardon would be impossible. God takes account of men's weakness as well as of their guilt. He alone can hold the balance. This psalm lays a heavy indictment of disobedience, lust, and unbelief against God's chosen people. Yet there is no more touching, beautiful description of Divine compassion than Psalms 78:38 , ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:9-39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:34

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:34

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:34

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:1-72

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:9-72

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:32-39

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:34

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:34

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