By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
THE PAST
Psalm 78:5–8, 32–39
Our psalm this week comes from Book Three (Pss. 73–89), attributed almost exclusively to official prophets, musicians and gatekeepers in the Davidic dynasty of united Israel and later in Judah, including Asaph and his descendants, the sons of Korah, Heman and Jeduthun (1 Chron. 25:1–7; 2 Chron. 29:30; 35:15).
This particular song in its superscription is identified as a “maskil,” a term used 13 times throughout the Psalms, most likely to indicate a didactic or instructional psalm. In the Greek Old Testament (or Septuagint) the term is translated as “intelligence” and in the Latin Vulgate as “understanding.” The psalm is a history lesson of the faithfulness of God in the midst of rebellious generations who were ungrateful for God’s deliverance throughout their history.
Teach for the Future (5–8)
In order to understand verses 5–8, we need a context. The psalmist calls for his listeners to be prepared to hear and heed what he says in the opening verses. Unlike Israel’s past, when fathers failed to instruct their children about the things of God, he calls for his hearers to listen and understand the faithfulness of God, the failure of Israel through the generations and the responsibility of fathers to teach their children.
Bible students must recognize the serious responsibility God gives to fathers who are believers. When Israel was delivered from bondage in Egypt by the mighty hand of God, they complained. Rather than rejoicing in God’s deliverance and teaching their children to do the same, they whined. That generation died out without seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise of a homeland.
When Moses delivered the Ten Commandments to a second generation (Deut. 5), it was accompanied by instructions to fathers to love God with utter abandon, to know God’s commandments and to teach them to their children (Deut. 6:4–9). Moses warns that generation not to forget the Lord (6:10–19) but to tell of God’s faithfulness to each passing generation (6:20–25). The verses between the highlighted passage and the next are the psalmist’s reminder to teach by remembering the past.
Remember the Past (32–37)
In verses 10–31 our poet refers back to the events recorded in Exodus and Numbers when God showed compassion upon His people despite their wayward hearts in the wilderness of Sinai and Kadesh Barnea. When they openly rebelled against Him, He struck them down in His wrath. Throughout Numbers they whined and cried and complained, repenting only when others died under God’s judgment. Even then their repentance did not remain long, as they turned to other gods. While they were faithless, God remained faithful.
Compassion in the Present (38–39)
“Yet He was compassionate.” Here the psalmist returns us to Mount Sinai, when God introduced Himself to Moses, highlighting both His compassion and His judgment: “Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations. … But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation” (Ex. 34:6–7).
Why is it important to know God’s Word, live it out and share it with the next generation? Why is it important to make disciples of all the peoples of the world, including our own families? We are setting a pattern that others will follow. Let us follow Christ with utter abandon, knowing we are stewards of the gospel for such a time as this.
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