---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 78"
description: "PSALM 78   :-. This Psalm appears to have been occasioned by the
removal of the sanctuary from Shiloh in the tribe of Ephraim to Zion
in the tribe of Juda"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/78"
---

PSALM 78

. This Psalm appears to have been occasioned by the
removal of the sanctuary from Shiloh in the tribe of Ephraim to Zion
in the tribe of Judah, and the coincident transfer of pre-eminence in
Israel from the former to the latter tribe, as clearly evinced by
David's settlement as the head of the Church and nation. Though this
was the execution of God's purpose, the writer here shows that it
also proceeded from the divine judgment on Ephraim, under whose
leadership the people had manifested the same sinful and rebellious
character which had distinguished their ancestors in Egypt.

**1. my people . . . my law**—the
language of a religious teacher ([Psalms 78:2](../../../kjv/psalms/78/2);
[Lamentations 3:14](../../../kjv/lamentations/3/14); [Romans 2:16](../../../kjv/romans/2/16);
[Romans 2:27](../../../kjv/romans/2/27); compare [Romans 2:27](../../../kjv/romans/2/27)). The history which follows was a "dark saying,"
or riddle, if left unexplained, and its right apprehension required
wisdom and attention.

**3-8.** This history had been
handed down ([Exodus 12:14](../../../kjv/exodus/12/14); [Deuteronomy 6:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/20))
for God's honor, and that the principles of His law might be known
and observed by posterity. This important sentiment is reiterated in
([Psalms 78:7](../../../kjv/psalms/78/7); [Psalms 78:8](../../../kjv/psalms/78/8))
negative form.

**5. testimony**— ().

**3-8.** This history had been
handed down ([Exodus 12:14](../../../kjv/exodus/12/14); [Deuteronomy 6:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/20))
for God's honor, and that the principles of His law might be known
and observed by posterity. This important sentiment is reiterated in
([Psalms 78:7](../../../kjv/psalms/78/7); [Psalms 78:8](../../../kjv/psalms/78/8))
negative form.

**8. stubborn and rebellious**—
([Deuteronomy 21:18](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/21/18)).
**set not their heart**—on
God's service ([2 Chronicles 12:14](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/12/14)).

**9-11.** The privileges of the
first-born which belonged to Joseph ([1 Chronicles 5:1](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/5/1);
[1 Chronicles 5:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/5/2)) were assigned to Ephraim
by Jacob ([Genesis 48:1](../../../kjv/genesis/48/1)). The
supremacy of the tribe thus intimated was recognized by its position
(in the marching of the nation to Canaan) next to the ark ([Genesis 48:1](../../../kjv/genesis/48/1)), by the selection of the first permanent locality for
the ark within its borders at Shiloh, and by the extensive and
fertile province given for its possession. Traces of this prominence
remained after the schism under Rehoboam, in the use, by later
writers, of *Ephraim* for *Israel* (compare [Hosea 5:3-14](../../../kjv/hosea/5/3-14);
[Hosea 11:3-12](../../../kjv/hosea/11/3-12)). Though a
strong, well-armed tribe, and, from an early period, emulous and
haughty (compare [Joshua 17:14](../../../kjv/joshua/17/14);
[Judges 8:1-3](../../../kjv/judges/8/1-3); [2 Samuel 19:41](../../../kjv/2-samuel/19/41)),
it appears, in this place, that it had rather led the rest in
cowardice than courage; and had incurred God's displeasure, because,
diffident of His promise, though often heretofore fulfilled, it had
failed as a leader to carry out the terms of the covenant, by not
driving out the heathen ([Exodus 23:24](../../../kjv/exodus/23/24);
[Deuteronomy 31:16](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/31/16); [2 Kings 17:15](../../../kjv/2-kings/17/15)).

**12-14.** A record of God's
dealings and the sins of the people is now made. The writer gives the
history from the exode to the retreat from Kadesh; then contrasts
their sins with their reasons for confidence, shown by a detail of
God's dealings in Egypt, and presents a summary of the subsequent
history to David's time.
**Zoan**—for Egypt, as its
ancient capital ([Numbers 13:22](../../../kjv/numbers/13/22);
[Isaiah 19:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/19/11)).

**15, 16.** There were two similar
miracles ([Exodus 17:6](../../../kjv/exodus/17/6); [Numbers 20:11](../../../kjv/numbers/20/11)).
**great
depths**—and—**rivers**—denote abundance.

**17-20. yet more**—literally,
"added to sin," instead of being led to repentance ().

**18. in their heart**— ().
**for their lust**—literally,
"soul," or, "desire."
**provoking**—and—**tempted**—illustrated by their absurd
doubts,

**19, 20.** in the face of His
admitted power.

**21. fire**—the effect of the
"anger" ([Numbers 11:1](../../../kjv/numbers/11/1)).

**22.** (Compare [Hebrews 8:8](../../../kjv/hebrews/8/8);
[Hebrews 8:9](../../../kjv/hebrews/8/9)).

**23-29.** (Compare [Exodus 16:11-15](../../../kjv/exodus/16/11-15);
[Numbers 11:4-9](../../../kjv/numbers/11/4-9)).

**25. angels' food**—literally,
"bread of the mighty" (compare ); so called, as it came from heaven.
**meat**—literally,
"victuals," as for a journey.

**23-29.** (Compare [Exodus 16:11-15](../../../kjv/exodus/16/11-15);
[Numbers 11:4-9](../../../kjv/numbers/11/4-9)).

**29. their . . . desire**—what
they longed for.

**30, 31. not estranged . . . lust**—or,
"desire"—that is, were indulging it.

**31. slew . . . fattest**—or,
"among the fattest"; some of them—
**chosen**—the young and
strong ([Isaiah 40:31](../../../kjv/isaiah/40/31)), and so
none could resist.

**33-39.** Though there were partial
reformations after chastisement, and God, in pity, withdrew His hand
for a time, yet their general conduct was rebellious, and He was thus
provoked to waste and destroy them, by long and fruitless wandering
in the desert.

**36. lied . . . tongues**—a
feigned obedience ([Psalms 18:44](../../../kjv/psalms/18/44)).

**37. heart . . . not right**—or,
"firm" (compare [Psalms 78:8](../../../kjv/psalms/78/8);
[Psalms 51:10](../../../kjv/psalms/51/10)).

**33-39.** Though there were partial
reformations after chastisement, and God, in pity, withdrew His hand
for a time, yet their general conduct was rebellious, and He was thus
provoked to waste and destroy them, by long and fruitless wandering
in the desert.

**39. a wind . . . again**—literally,
"a breath," thin air (compare [Psalms 103:16](../../../kjv/psalms/103/16);
[James 4:14](../../../kjv/james/4/14)).

**40, 41.** There were ten
temptations ([Numbers 14:22](../../../kjv/numbers/14/22)).

**41. limited**—as in [Psalms 78:19](../../../kjv/psalms/78/19);
[Psalms 78:20](../../../kjv/psalms/78/20). Though some prefer
"grieved" or "provoked." The retreat from Kadesh
([Deuteronomy 1:19-23](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/1/19-23)) is meant,
whether—
**turned**—be for turning
back, or to denote repetition of offense.

**43. wrought**—set or held forth.

**45.** The dog-fly or the mosquito.

**46. caterpillar**—the *Hebrew*
name, from its voracity, and that of—
**locust**—from its
multitude.

**47, 48.** The additional effects
of the storm here mentioned (compare ) are consistent with Moses' account.

**48. gave . . . cattle**—literally,
"shut up" (compare ).

**49. evil angels**—or, "angels
of evil"—many were perhaps employed, and other evils
inflicted.

**50, 51. made a way**—removed
obstacles, gave it full scope.

**51. chief of their
strength**—literally, "first-fruits," or, "first-born"
([Genesis 49:3](../../../kjv/genesis/49/3); [Deuteronomy 21:17](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/21/17)).
**Ham**—one of whose sons
gave name (*Mizraim, Hebrew*) to Egypt.

**52-54. made his . . . forth**—or,
brought them by periodical journeys (compare ).

**54. border of his sanctuary**—or,
"holy border"—*i. e.,* region of which—
**this mountain**—(Zion)
was, as the seat of civil and religious government, the
representative, used for the whole land, as afterwards for the Church
([Isaiah 25:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/6); [Isaiah 25:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/7)).
**purchased**—or, "procured
by His right hand" or power ([Isaiah 25:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/25/7)).

**55. by line**—or, the portion
thus measured.
**divided them**—that is,
the heathen, put for their possessions, so tents—that is, of the
heathen (compare [Deuteronomy 6:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/11)).

**56, 57. a deceitful bow**—which
turns back, and so fails to project the arrow ([2 Samuel 1:22](../../../kjv/2-samuel/1/22);
[Hosea 7:16](../../../kjv/hosea/7/16)). They relapsed.

**58.** Idolatry resulted from
sparing the heathen (compare ).

**59, 60. heard**—perceived ().
**abhorred**—but not
utterly.

**60. tent . . . placed**—literally,
"caused to dwell," set up ().

**61. his strength**—the ark, as
symbolical of it ([Psalms 96:6](../../../kjv/psalms/96/6)).

**62. gave**—or, "shut up."
**his people**— ([Psalms 78:48](../../../kjv/psalms/78/48);
[1 Samuel 4:10-17](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/10-17)).

**63. fire**—either figure of the
slaughter ([1 Samuel 4:10](../../../kjv/1-samuel/4/10)), or a
literal burning by the heathen.
**given to marriage**—literally,
"praised"—that is, as brides.

**64.** (Compare ); and there were, doubtless, others.
**made no lamentation**—either
because stupefied by grief, or hindered by the enemy.

**65.** (Compare [Psalms 22:16](../../../kjv/psalms/22/16);
[Isaiah 42:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/42/13)).

**66. And he smote . . . part**—or,
"struck His enemies' back." The Philistines never regained
their position after their defeats by David.

**67, 68. tabernacle of Joseph**—or,
"home," or, "tribe," to which—
**tribe of Ephraim**—is
parallel (compare [Revelation 7:8](../../../kjv/revelation/7/8)). Its
pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the
choice ([Genesis 49:10](../../../kjv/genesis/49/10)).

**69.** Exalted as—
**high palaces**—or,
"mountains," and abiding as—*the earth.*

**70-72.** God's sovereignty was
illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking—humility and
exaltation—and the correspondence is beautiful.

**71. following . . . ewes,**
&c.—literally, "ewes giving suck" (compare ). On the pastoral terms, compare .

**70-72.** God's sovereignty was
illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking—humility and
exaltation—and the correspondence is beautiful.

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