Psalm 78:51 NIV

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 78:51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt ,.... From the prince to the peasant; and not only the firstborn of men, but of beasts also, Exodus 12:29 , the chief of their strength ; or first of it, as the firstborn is called, Genesis 49:3 , in the tabernacles of Ham ; in the several cities, towns, villages, and houses of the Egyptians, the descendants of cursed Ham; for Mizraim, from whom the Egyptians have their name, and from whence they sprung, was a son of Ham's, Genesis 10:6 .... 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 78:51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt (see Exodus 12:29 ). The chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham; or, "the beginning (literally, firstfruits ) of their strength" (comp. Genesis 49:3 ). "The tabernacles of Ham" is a periphrasis for "Egypt"—the Egyptians, according to the author of Genesis ( Genesis 10:6 ), being descendants of Ham (comp. Psalms 105:23 , Psalms 105:27 ; Psalms 6:1-10 :22). There are no sufficient grounds for connecting the name of Ham either... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 78:51

And smote all the firstborn in Egypt - See Exodus 11:4-5; Exodus 12:29-30.The chief of their strength - Those on whom they relied; their firstborn; their pride; their glory; their heirs. Compare Genesis 49:3.In the tabernacles of Ham - The tents; the dwelling-places of Ham; that is, of Egypt. Compare Genesis 10:6; Psalms 105:23, Psalms 105:27; Psalms 106:22, read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 78:50-51

Psalms 78:50-51. He made a way to his anger By removing every obstacle that mercy had thrown in the path of justice, he made a way for his indignation, which then rushed forth like a fiery stream. Hebrew, יפלס נתיב לאפו , He weighed a path to his anger, that is, he made a most smooth, even, and exact path, as if he had done it by weight and measure, that so his anger might pass swiftly and freely, without interruption. The phrase also may be intended to signify the wisdom and justice of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-68

Psalms 78:0 Lessons from historyBeing a true teacher, the psalmist is concerned for the spiritual condition of his people. His present intention is to comment on events in the history of Israel so that people of future generations may take heed (1-4). God gave his law to his people to guide them. The record of his faithfulness will be an encouragement, the record of Israel’s failures a warning (5-8).The first reminder is of the stubbornness of the tribe of Ephraim in one of Israel’s early... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 78:51

strength = strengths (plural) Manly vigour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the firstborn. Compare Genesis 49:3 .Deuteronomy 21:17 . Psalms 105:36 . tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. 'ohel. App-40 . Ham = Egypt. Compare Psalms 105:23 , Psalms 105:27 ; Psalms 106:22 . read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:51

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 78:51

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 78:51

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 78:50-51

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-68

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 78:51

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