Click here to read PSALM 78 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 78 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. This Psalm shows where God chose to put His sanctuary after the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness.
This Psalm has the title “of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It was used for public teaching and shows the victory God gives through His Messiah.
Structure
(Verses 1-7) God’s law and commandments to Moses (Prophet like Messiah)
(Verse 8) People stubborn, rebellious, not steadfast in God
(Verse 9) Turn back in battle
(Verses 10,11) They forget God’s law and commandments
(Verses 12) God does marvels in Egypt and Zoan
(Verses 13-16) God leads them through the sea and wilderness
(Verses 17-20) They provoke God in the wilderness
(Verse 21) God’s wrath
(Verse 22) People not trusting God for salvation
(Verses 23-28) God goodness to provide in the wilderness
(Verses 29-33) Their unbelief and its consequences
(Verses 34-37) People still not steadfast in covenant
(Verses 38,39) God’s compassion and forgiveness
(Verse 40) People provoke God
(Verse 41) Turn back and tempt God
(Verses 42) They forget God’s hand of deliverance
(Verses 43-51) God does marvels in Egypt and Zoan
(Verses 52-55) God leads them through the sea and wilderness
(Verses 56-58) They provoke God with idols
(Verse 59-62) God’s wrath
(Verses 63,64) People not seeing salvation
(Verses 65-72) God’s kingdom to David (Messiah’s ancestor)
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—“I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old.” This is quoted in Matthew 13 to show that Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy of the Messiah. Jesus gives 7 parables in Matthew 13 relating to the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 13:34,35: “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” This shows that the Psalmist was a “prophet,” someone who spoke for God. The greatest subject of Biblical prophecy is Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Verse 9—“The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” Ephraim was Joseph’s second-born son, but received the greater blessing from his grandfather, Jacob (Genesis 48). Note that Manasseh precedes Ephraim by genealogy (Genesis 46:20; 48:1; Numbers 26:28; II Chronicles 34:6,9; Psalms 60:7; 108:8; Ezekiel 48:5). But regarding the blessing, Ephraim is named before Manasseh (Genesis 48:5,13,14,17,20; 50:23; Numbers 1:10; Joshua 16:4; Deuteronomy 33:17; 34:2; Joshua 16:4,9; 17:17; 21:5; I Chronicles 9:3; 27:20; II Chronicles 15:9; 30:1,10,18; 31:1; Psalms 80:2). Ephraim is associated with using a bow in Zechariah 9:10,13. Psalms 78:9 could be referring to the tribe of Ephraim fighting amongst themselves and against Jephthah (Judges 12:1-7). A specific Ephraimite, named Micah, turned from God to idolatry (Judges 17). This later brought the entire tribe of Dan to follow in idolatrous ways (Judges 18).
Verse 25—“Man did eat angels’ food.” This is a unique translation by the King James Version. The Hebrew word for “angel” is used 17 times in the Bible, and this is the only place it is translated this way. It actually means “mighty, strong, chief, valiant.” The context is God sending manna in the wilderness. This was “mighty” and “strong” food that gave the people all the nourishment that they needed. Jesus Christ later showed that he was the greater bread to supply eternal life. John 6:48,58: “I am that bread of life. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” For more details see “Jesus Christ: “I am” in the Gospel of John, Part 1.”
Verses 68,69—“But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.” Here in the Leviticus Book of Psalms, the sanctuary is settled on Mount Zion. It was Jesus Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David” (Revelation 5:5), who was the reason why God “chose the tribe of Judah.” In His foreknowledge, God knew that His Son would fulfill His will and do all righteousness for us.
Verse 72—“fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.” The words for “integrity” and “heart” are used together 5 times in the Old Testament. Abimelech had integrity of heart before God concerning Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 20:5,6). David walked with integrity of heart as seen here in Psalm 78, and also in I Kings 9:4 and Psalms 101:2. The Hebrew word for “skilfulness” is used 42 times in the Old Testament, and is translated “understanding” in 39 of those uses. David’s hands had “understanding,” for he was a leader, soldier, artist, musician, architect, poet, singer, shepherd, teacher, king, father, and ancestor of the Messiah.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
