Psalm-78

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim-Psalm 78”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 78 is a Psalm by ‘Asaph’, recounting Israel’s history from Exodus to King David to illustrate אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, urging each generation to teach the next to remember אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s works and keep His commandments. It is a “parable” or “dark saying” about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s amazing deeds and His people’s persistent unfaithfulness, highlighting how forgetting past blessings leads to present disobedience and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s judgment, ultimately showing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s patient restoration and choice of David as king.

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This is therefore a structured study of Psalm 78 from our Hebraic perspective:

1. Structure and Purpose (Verses 1-8):

1. Maschil of Asaph.
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter dark sayings concerning days of old;
3. That which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us,
4. We will not hide from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of יְהוָה - the LORD, and His strength, and His wondrous works that He hath done.
5. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;
6. That the generation to come might know them, even the children that should be born; who should arise and tell them to their children,
7. That they might put their confidence in אֱלֹהִים, and not forget the works of אֱלֹהִים, but keep His commandments;
8. And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation;
a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with אֱלֹהִים.

Commentary Vv 1 to 8:

1. The Command to Teach (v. 5-7):

The Psalm begins by referencing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s establishment of a “testimony in Jacob” and the “Torah in Israel”. The primary goal is to ensure that the “last generation” knows אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s works and keeps His commandments, not following the, “stubborn and rebellious generation” of the past.

“Parable” and “Dark Sayings” (v. 2): Asaph calls his lesson a “parable” (mashal) and “riddles” (chidot). In this context, these refer to the “dark sayings of old”, the hidden meanings behind the sins of their ancestors.

2. Historical Review: Wilderness & Rebellion (Verses 9-41):

9. “The children of Ephraim were as archers handling the bow that turned back in the day of battle.
10. “They kept not the covenant of אֱלֹהִים, and refused to walk in His law;
11. And they forgot His doings, and His wondrous works that He had shown them”.

12. Marvellous things did He in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13. He cleaved the sea, and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters to stand as a heap.
14. By day also He led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
15. He cleaved rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the great deep.
16. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
17. Yet went they on still to sin against Him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18. And they tried אֱלֹהִים in their heart by asking food for their craving.
19. Yea, they spoke against אֱלֹהִים; they said: ‘Can אֱלֹהִים prepare a table in the wilderness?
20. Behold, He smote the rock, that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed;
can He give bread also? or will He provide flesh for His people?’
21. Therefore יְהוָה - the LORD heard, and was wroth; and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also went up against Israel;
22. Because they believed not in אֱלֹהִים, and trusted not in His salvation.
23. And He commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven;
24. And He caused manna to rain upon them for food, and gave them of the corn of heaven.
25. Man did eat the bread of the mighty; He sent them provisions to the full.
26. He caused the east wind to set forth in heaven; and by His power He brought on the south wind.
27. He caused flesh also to rain upon them as the dust, and winged fowl as the sand of the seas;
28. And He let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their dwellings.
29. So they did eat, and were well filled; and He gave them that which they craved.
30. They were not estranged from their craving, their food was yet in their mouths,
31. When the anger of אֱלֹהִים went up against them, and slew of the lustieth among them,
and smote down the young men of Israel.
32. For all this they sinned still, and believed not in His wondrous works.
33. Therefore He ended their days as a breath, and their years in terror.
34. When He slew them, then they would inquire after Him, and turn back and seek אֱלֹהִים earnestly.
35. And they remembered that אֱלֹהִים was their Rock, and the Most High אֱלֹהִים their redeemer.
36. But they beguiled Him with their mouth, and lied unto Him with their tongue.
37. For their heart was not stedfast with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant.
38. But He, being full of compassion, forgiveth iniquity, and destroyeth not; yea, many a time doth He turn His anger away, and doth not stir up all His wrath.
39. So He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
40. How oft did they rebel against Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert!
41. And still again they tried אֱלֹהִים, and set bounds to the Holy One of Israel.

Commentary Vv 9-11:

The Sin of Ephraim (v. 9-11): The poem opens with a critique of the “sons of Ephraim”, who “retreated on the day of battle” despite being armed archers. This symbolizes the spiritual failure of the Northern Kingdom (associated with Ephraim/Joseph).

The Cycle of Miracles and Doubt: Asaph recounts the Exodus miracles (splitting the sea, cloud/fire guidance) and the Wilderness provisions (manna, quails from water/rock).

“Can אֱלֹהִים - Elohim...” (v. 19-20):

A central theme is Israel’s lack of trust, questioning: “Can אֱלֹהִים set a table in the desert?”. Even after experiencing miracles, they demanded more, proving they did not trust in His salvation.

3. False Repentance (v. 34-37):

The Psalm notes that when אֱלֹהִים punished them, they returned and sought Him, but their repentance was insincere: “They beguiled Him with their mouth... their heart was not steadfast”.

42. They remembered not His hand, nor the day when He redeemed them from the adversary.
43. How He set His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan;
44. And turned their rivers into blood, so that they could not drink their streams.
45. He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.
46. He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labour unto the locust.
47. He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees with frost.
48. He gave over their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to fiery bolts.
49. He sent forth upon them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, a sending of messengers of evil.
50. He levelled a path for His anger; He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;
51. And smote all the first-born in Egypt, the first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham;
52. But He made His own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53. And He led them safely, and they feared not; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54. And He brought them to His holy border, to the mountain, which His right hand had gotten.
55. He drove out the nations also before them, and allotted them for an inheritance by line,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56. Yet they tried and provoked God, the Most High, and kept not His testimonies;
57. But turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58. For they provoked Him with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their graven images.
59. God heard, and was wroth, and He greatly abhorred Israel;
60. And He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which He had made to dwell among men;
61. And delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the adversary's hand.
62. He gave His people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with His inheritance.
63. Fire devoured their young men; and their virgins had no marriage-song.
64. Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
65. Then the Lord awaked as one asleep, like a mighty man recovering from wine.
66. And He smote His adversaries backward; He put upon them a perpetual reproach.
67. Moreover He abhorred the tent of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim;
68. But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which He loved.
69. And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He hath founded for ever.
70. He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71. From following the ewes that give suck He brought him, to be shepherd over Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
72. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart; and lead them by the skilfulness of his hands.

4. The Plagues & The Exodus, The Shift: Egypt to David, (Verses 40-55-72):

The Plagues as “Evil Messengers” (v. 49): The poem recounts the Ten Plagues, specifically mentioning that אֱלֹהִים dispatched “a delegation of evil messengers”.

5. Destruction of Shilo (Vv. 59-60):

The Psalm highlights a moment not explicitly detailed in Samuel: אֱלֹהִיםgrew disgusted with Israel and abandoned the Tabernacle of Shilo (in Ephraimite territory).

6. The Plagues & The Exodus (Verses 40-55):

A retrospective look at the miracles אֱלֹהִים performed to liberate them, contrasting His power with their repeated testing of His patience.

7. From Shiloh to Zion (Verses 56-72):

Traces the shift from the tabernacle in Shiloh (rejected due to idolatry) to the choosing of the Tribe of Judah and Mount Zion.

Rejection of Joseph/Ephraim, Choice of Judah (Vv. 67-68): A major turning point: “He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim; He chose the tribe of Judah”.

8. Davidic Kingship (Vv. 70-72):

The Psalm concludes with the rise of David, who took over from “following the nursing ewes” to shepherd Israel with “integrity of heart” and “skill of hands”.

Some of the Key Themes:.

Memory vs. Amnesia: The failure to remember אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s past actions (forgetting the Exodus) leads to lack of trust in the present.

אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Compassion (v. 38): Despite the rebellion, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is portrayed as merciful, often holding back His full anger because He remembers they are "but flesh".

The "Deceitful Bow" (v. 57): A powerful metaphor for the faithless generation, a bow that cannot be relied upon, failing to hit the mark when needed.

The Shift to Zion: The ultimate conclusion is a validation of the Davidic dynasty and the centralization of worship in Jerusalem (Zion).

Connection to Jewish Tradition:

Passover/Seder: The instruction in 78:4-6 to "not hide (the wonders) from their children" mirrors the Mitzvah of the Haggadah, instructing that the Exodus story be transmitted to every generation.

One interprets the “sons of Ephraim” in v. 9 as having miscalculated the end of the Egyptian exile, leaving 30 years too early and being destroyed by the men of Gath.

Some commentators interpret the “angels’ food” in v. 25 as food that was totally absorbed into the limbs (בשר).

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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