Psalm 78:1

Psalm 78:1

Introduction

This is one of the longer Psalms and we will be taking a guided tour through 72 verses in all. So, it’s going to occupy our thoughts for over 2 months, and who knows what might happen to us during that time? And that is the whole point, for Psalm 78 guides us through the ups and downs of Israel’s relationship with the Lord God over a considerable period of time.

We know that a descendant of Asaph wrote these words, and he was a godly man for he has a pretty accurate view of the rebellious nature of the people and the miraculous, and the gracious, provision of the Lord God despite this. I guess it will turn out to be a pretty accurate summary of our own volatility and the steadfast love of the God who watches over us. 

The Psalm constantly calls us to remember God’s miraculous acts and was probably written after the time when the kingdom was split for it mentions Ephraim in verse 9, Ephraim was a collective term for the 10 northern tribes. So, sit back and come with me on a walk through history, but a walk that is accompanied by a never-ending display of the power and protection of the Lord.

 

V1        As you may know, the Bible books of the Old Testament are divided into three parts by the Jews; the first five books (the Pentateuch) were called Torah in Hebrew and are often referred to in our Scriptures as “the Law.” The Torah is followed by “the Prophets” which includes some books from Joshua to second Kings (the Former Prophets) and others from Isaiah through to Malachi (the Latter Prophets). In our Bibles, the Former and Latter Prophets are divided by the “Writings” which contain all the books from Psalms to the Song of Songs but in the Hebrew Scriptures also include, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and both Chronicles. These “Writings” are known as the wisdom literature, penned by sages who were on a par with priests and prophets, as men of God. The sages were deemed to have a wide grasp of the created world and they also understood human affairs.

It was a man who was highly regarded and who had taken the role of a sage, who wrote this Psalm. In it, he describes the actions of God through creation, through events in history and through the Law, but he also links these up with the reactions and responses of human beings. As a wise sage he is entitled to open his Psalm with these words, “My people, hear my teachings; listen to the words of my mouth.” 

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