Psalm 78:70-72

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 78:70

He chose David also his servant ,.... To be king of Israel, the youngest of his father's family, when he rejected all the rest; see 1 Samuel 16:6 , an eminent type of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is called by his name, Psalm 89:3 and the signification of his name "Beloved" agrees with him, who is beloved of God, as his Son, and as man and Mediator; and beloved of men, of all the saints: and so likewise his character as a servant suits with him; who not only frequently has the name of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:71

From following the ewes great with young ,.... Or, "from after" them F1 מאחר "de post", Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; "a post", Michaelis. ; it was usual with the shepherd to put them before him, and to follow them, and gently drive them, which is expressive of his care and tenderness of them; see Genesis 33:13 , the same is observed of David's antitype, the great and good Shepherd of the sheep, Isaiah 40:11 . David was a type of Christ as a shepherd; as he kept his father's... 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 78:70

He chose David - See the account 1 Samuel 16:11 ; (note), etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:71

From following the ewes - Instances of this kind are not unfrequent in the ancient Greek and Roman history. Croesus said that Gypes, who was the first of his race, was a slave, and rose to sovereignty, succeeding his predecessor, of whose sheep he had been the pastor. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:70

Verse 70 70.And he chose David his servant. After having made mention of the temple, the prophet now proceeds to speak of the kingdom; for these two things were the chief signs of God’s choice of his ancient people, and of his favor towards them; and Christ also hath appeared as our king and priest to bring a full and perfect salvation to us. He proves that David was made king by God, who elevated him from the sheepfold, and from the keeping of cattle, to the royal throne. It serves in no small... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 78:71

Verse 71 71.He took him from following the suckling ewes, etc. The grace of God is farther commended from the circumstance, that David, who was a keeper of sheep, was made the shepherd of the chosen people and heritage of God. There is an allusion to David’s original condition; but the Spirit of God, at the same time, shows us the difference between good and lawful kings, and tyrants, robbers, and insatiable extortioners, by telling us that whoever would aspire to the character of the former... 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

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