Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 78

There is a famous quote about history that says, “Those who cannot learn from history are bound to repeat it.” In school, we were told that is why we study the past, and there is validity in that statement. Christians need to be just as diligent about the history of our faith and psalm 78 is an example of the psalmist reminding Israel of their past. Their past was one of God saving them in their need and then shortly they forget God and turn from their faith back to idols and disobedience to the law. Yet time after time God has saved Israel. The story of the Jews is also our story. We drift from our faith and God allows us to fall into trouble, we cry out in repentance, and He rescues us again and again.

Psalm 78:1-4

Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,  Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.  We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

We must teach our children the truth of who God is and how He has saved us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Psalm 78:7-8
That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,  And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

In America, we have turned our back on God. We have turned to our own idols. Idols like money, sex, and drugs. People show up to churches seeking relief from the sorrows and fears of this life, yet they reject the truth of God’s Word. We live Monday to Saturday in our own lives filled with greed, pornography, sex without marriage, homosexuality, drugs and alcohol abuse. We simply reject God’s declaration against what God Himself calls sin, and we set our own law based on what we think is right. Then we go to church on Sunday and act if all is ok.

Psalm 78:17-18
Yet they still continued to sin against Him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert. And in their heart they put God to the test By asking food according to their desire.

Historically this is about the Jews, but it is also a clear picture of us today.

Psalm 78:21
Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel

God’s wrath is real and it is not to be toyed with. The Bible is clear; God disciplines those He loves. To those who think these lessons from the Old Testament are not for us; Hebrews 12:5-6 says this, “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” That quote from Hebrews is taken right out of the Old Testament and given to Christians in the New Testament.

The psalmist goes on to tell of the provision God gave the Jews when they complained against Him after the exodus from Egypt.

Psalm 78:23-29
Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,  and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.  Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.  He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;  he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;  he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.  And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

But then…

Psalm 78:30-31
But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,  the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

God will not force you to follow His law. But there are serious ramifications to disobedience. Friends, God does not change.

Psalm 78:32-37
In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.  So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.  When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.  They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.  But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.  Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.

Things in our world are in a precarious place. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and violent streets are upon us. There is a real threat of nuclear war in the air.

Psalm 78:38-39
Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.  He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.

Our God is a patient and long-suffering god. There is hope.

Read all of this psalm, and pray through it, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal your own sin against God and then remember that God sent Jesus to make a way for us to come back to Him. Cry out to Him with a true repentant heart.

The history story in this psalm ends with David.

Psalm 78:70-72
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;  from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.  With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

This is simply a picture of Jesus, who had not yet come when this psalm was written. But He has now. Our hope is in Him. But real faith in Jesus is faith that obeys His commandments and does not make up its own moral law. It follows the law of God, the law of Jesus.

So, you went to church today; good for you. You should have. But if tomorrow you reject God’s way and act like Israel by seeking food of your own desire then you are not loving Jesus, who said this in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Learn from history. Repent and follow Jesus. Don’t go down the same path you keep choosing, but follow the Great Shepherd, as we see in the 23^rd Psalm.

Psalm 23:1-4

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Do that and you will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.