Psalm 78:5-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:1-8

These verses, which contain the preface to this history, show that the psalm answers the title; it is indeed Maschil?a psalm to give instruction; if we receive not the instruction it gives, it is our own fault. Here, I. The psalmist demands attention to what he wrote (Ps. 78:1): Give ear, O my people! to my law. Some make these the psalmist's words. David, as a king, or Asaph, in his name, as his secretary of state, or scribe to the sweet singer of Israel, here calls upon the people, as his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:5

For he established a testimony in Jacob ,.... So the law is called, being a testification of the divine will, Exodus 25:16 and the Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament, which testify of Christ, his person, office, sufferings, and death, Isaiah 8:20 and particularly the Gospel, which is the testimony of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, 2 Timothy 1:8 which bears witness to the love and grace of God in the salvation of men by Christ; to the dignity of Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:6

That the generation to come might know them ,.... Not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally; which is the case, when human teachings are attended with the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths; for the truths of the Gospel are unknown to men; the Gospel is hidden wisdom, the wisdom of God in a mystery; the Bible is a sealed book, the doctrines of it are riddles and dark sayings; the ministry of the word is the means of knowledge, which become... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:7

That they might set their hope in God ,.... And not in the creature, nor in any creature enjoyment; see Job 31:24 , the Lord is the only proper object of hope and confidence; Christ, who is truly God, is the hope of his people, and in him they place it, as they have great reason to do; since with him there is mercy, the mercy of God is proclaimed in him; and with him there is redemption, which includes the blessings of peace, pardon, and righteousness; and a plenteous one, a redemption... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers ,.... This chiefly respects the Jews in Christ's time: though it also is an admonition to them in succeeding ages, and especially in the latter day, when they shall be instructed, called, and converted; and even to us, to whom the Gospel is preached, on whom the ends of the world are come, not to be disobedient, as the Jewish fathers were, and to take care we do not fall after the same example of unbelief; this opens the whole scope and general design of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:6

A testimony in Jocob - This may signify the various ordinances, rites, and ceremonies prescribed by the law; and the word law may mean the moral law, or system of religious instruction, teaching them their duty to God, to their neighbor, and to themselves. These were commanded to the fathers - the patriarchs and primitive Hebrews, that they should make them known to their children, who should make them known to the generation that was to come, whose children should also be instructed that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:5

Verse 5 5.He established a testimony in Jacob. (312) As the reception or approbation of any doctrine by men would not be a sufficient reason for yielding a firm assent to its truth, the prophet proceeds farther, and represents God as the author of what he brings forward. He declares, that the father’s were not led to instruct their children in these truths under the mere impulse of their own minds, but by the commandment of God. Some understand the words, He hath established a testimony in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:6

Verse 6 6.That the generation to come might know them. In this verse, the Psalmist confirms what he had said concerning the continued transmission of divine truth. It greatly concerns us to know, that the law was given not for one age only; but that the fathers should transmit it to their children, as if it were their rightful inheritance, in order that it might never be lost, but be preserved to the end of the world. This is the reason why Paul, in 1 Timothy 3:15, asserts that “the Church is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:7

Verse 7 7.That they might set their hope in God. Here the Psalmist points out the use to which the doctrine which he had stated should be applied. In the first place, the fathers, when they find that on the one hand they are instrumental in maintaining the pure worship of God, and that on the other, they are the means of providing for the salvation of their children, should, by such a precious result of their labors, be the more powerfully stirred up to instruct their children. In the second... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:8

Verse 8 8.And that they might not be as their fathers, a rebellious and provoking generation. The Psalmist here shows still more distinctly how necessary this sermon was, from the circumstance that the Jews were exceedingly prone to revolt from God, if they were not kept in subjection by powerful restraints. He takes it as a fact, which could not be questioned, that their hearts were in no respect better than the hearts of their fathers, whom he affirms to have been a treacherous, rebellious,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 78:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:8

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