Bible Commentaries

Ps 78:1-72.

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

(Ps 78:2; La 3:14; Ro 2:16, 27;

compare

Ps 49:4).

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

(Ex 12:14; De 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

(Ps 78:7, 8)

negative form.

5. testimony--

(Ps 19:7).

8. stubborn and rebellious--

(De 21:18).

set not their heart--on God's service

(2Ch 12:14).

9-11. The privileges of the first-born which belonged to Joseph

(1Ch 5:1, 2)

were assigned to Ephraim by Jacob

(Ge 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

(Nu 2:18-24),

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

Ho 5:3-14; 11:3-12).

Though a strong, well-armed tribe, and, from an early period, emulous and haughty (compare

Jos 17:14; Jud 8:1-3; 2Sa 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

(Ex 23:24; De 31:16; 2Ki 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

(Nu 13:22; Isa 19:11).

15, 16. There were two similar miracles

(Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11).

great depths--and--rivers--denote abundance.

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

(Ro 2:4).