Psalms 78

1 Give ear [listen carefully, incline your ears], O my people [nation, assembly], to my instruction [law, teaching]; listen [hear, obey] to the words [sayings, utterances] of my mouth [lips, speech]. word study 2 I will open [to utter, to declare] my mouth [lips, edge of expression] in parables [proverbs, dark sayings]; I will utter [to bubble, to gush forth] things [mysteries, riddles] hidden [difficult to understand, perplexing] from the beginning [from old, from the front], word study 3 that we have [previously] heard [and listened, with attention and obedience] and known [ascertained by seeing, learned, and perceived] and our [ancestors, forefathers] fathers [those who have gone before us] have [recounted, told, and passed down] relayed [shared, communicated, and entrusted] to us. word study 4 We will not [completely conceal] hide them from their children, but will declare [telling, recounting] to the next [following, succeeding] generation the praises [songs of praise, hymns] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and His might [strength, power], and the wonders [amazing, miraculous works] He has performed [done, accomplished]. word study 5 For He established [raised up, set in place] a testimony [witness, instruction] in Jacob [the father of the Israelites] and appointed [set, ordained] a law [instruction, teaching] in Israel [the descendants of Jacob], which He commanded [gave orders, instructed] our fathers [ancestors, forefathers] to teach [make known, inform] to their children [sons, descendants], word study 6 that the coming [next, future] generation [period of time, group of people] would know [understand, learn, perceive] them— even [including, specifically] children [sons, descendants] yet to be born [to be begotten, given birth to]— to arise [stand up, rise] and tell [recount, declare] their own [belonging to them, their descendants] children [sons, offspring] word study 7 that they should put their confidence [trust, faith] in God [Elohim, the supreme God], not forgetting [being oblivious to, mislaying] His works [deeds, acts], but keeping [watching, guarding] His commandments [laws, rules]. word study 8 Then they will not be [unlike, different from] like their fathers, a stubborn [stiff-necked] and rebellious [disobedient] generation, whose heart [the seat of emotions, will, and intellect] was not [faithful, loyal, or trustworthy] loyal, whose spirit [the breath of life, the mind, and emotions] was not [steadfast, faithful, or constant] faithful to God [the supreme Creator, Elohim]. word study 9 The archers [armed bearers of bow, soldiers] of Ephraim [doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph’s son and the tribe that descended from him] turned back [overturned, reversed their course] on the day [a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time] of battle [a hostile encounter, war]. word study 10 They failed [did not succeed, were unfaithful] to keep [obey, protect, attend to] God’s [Elohim, the supreme God] covenant [agreement, promise, treaty] and refused [said no, rejected] to live by [walk in, follow, obey] His [the divine] law [instruction, teaching, guidance]. word study 11 They [completely, utterly] forgot [let go out of their memory, ignored] what He had done [His mighty acts, wonderful works], the wonders [miraculous signs, amazing things] He had shown [revealed, made them see] them [in His providence, care]. word study 12 He worked [did marvelous things, performed miracles] wonders [miraculous signs, amazing deeds] before [in the sight of, in front of] their fathers [ancestors, forefathers] in the land [region, territory] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa], in the region [field, area] of Zoan [an ancient city, also known as Tanis]. word study 13 He [completely] split [divided, cleft] the sea [a large body of water] and brought them through [caused them to pass over]; He set [made to stand, stationed] the waters [liquid, source of refreshment] upright [as a heap] like [as] a wall [a barrier, a dividing structure]. word study 14 He led [guided, directed] them with a cloud by day [in the daytime, daily] and with a light [illumination, spiritual enlightenment] of fire [burning, flame] all [the entire, whole] night [a period of darkness, adversity]. word study 15 He split [broke open, cleaved] the rocks [boulders, stones] in the wilderness [desert, open field] and gave them drink [water, provided for their thirst] as abundant [plenty, overflowing] as the seas [the great depths, ocean]. word study 16 He brought [also out of the rock] streams [to flow, like a flood] from the stone [crag, a strong rock] and made water [refreshment, a source of life] flow down [to descend, like falling] like rivers [a flood]. word study 17 But they continued [still, yet] to sin [miss the mark, go wrong] against Him, rebelling [resisting, disobeying] in the desert [dry and barren place, wilderness] against the Most High [the supreme God, Almighty]. word study 18 They willfully [deliberately, with a stubborn heart] tested [tried, proved] God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] by demanding [asking, requesting] the food [meat, sustenance] they craved [desired, lusted after] [for their soul, to satisfy their deepest longing]. word study 19 They spoke against [in rebellion] God [Elohim, the one supreme God], saying, “Can God [the Almighty, all-powerful] really prepare [arrange, furnish] a table [for a meal, a symbol of provision] in the wilderness [a desert, a place of testing]? word study 20 When He struck [smote, hit] the rock [a rock or boulder; a refuge], water [a source of refreshment] gushed out and torrents [overflowing streams] raged. But can He also give [provide, supply] bread [food, sustenance] or supply [establish, provide for] His people [nation, those belonging to Him] with meat [flesh, food]?” word study 21 Therefore [in response to their actions] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] heard [listened with attention and obedience] and was filled with wrath [intense anger, passionate displeasure]; so a fire [burning, flame] was kindled [started, ignited] against Jacob [the descendants of Jacob], and His anger [emotional state] flared [rose up, ascended] against Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob and his descendants], word study 22 because they did [not have faith, trusted not] not believe God [Elohim, the one supreme God] or [did not, failed to] rely [trust, have confidence] on His [divine, gracious] salvation [deliverance, rescue, victory]. word study 23 Yet He commanded [gave orders to, appointed] the clouds [vapors in the sky] above [in the highest places, from on high] and opened [to engrave or carve, to swing open] the doors [entrances or accesses] of the heavens [the visible universe and God’s abode]. word study 24 He rained down [like a divine provision] manna [a special food, bread from heaven] for them to eat [to devour, to satisfy their hunger]; He gave [bestowed, provided] them grain [corn, wheat] from [out of, from the abundance of] heaven [the sky, the heavenly realm]. word study 25 Man [a male person, human being] ate the bread [food, provision] of angels [mighty ones, heavenly beings]; He sent them food [meat, victuals] in abundance [to the full, to satiety]. word study 26 He stirred [caused to journey, sent] the east wind [from the direction of the rising sun] from the heavens [the sky, the abode of God] and drove [guided, led by His power] the south wind [the southern breeze] by His might [strength, power, divine energy]. word study 27 He rained [sent down abundantly] meat [flesh, food] on them like [as plentiful as] dust [dry earth, clay], and winged [feathered] birds [fowl, creatures of the air] like [as numerous as] the sand [round particles, desert soil] of the sea [a large body of water]. word study 28 He felled [caused to fall, let fall] them in the midst [inner part, center] of their camp [army, encampment], all around [surrounding, encompassing] their dwellings [tabernacles, tents]. word study 29 So they ate [and devoured, consuming completely] and were well filled [satisfied, having enough], for He gave them what they craved [their own desire, longing] [exceedingly, greatly]. word study 30 Yet before they had filled [satisfied, or estranged from] their desire [longing, or craving], with the food [meat, or meal] still [yet, or while it was] in their mouths [lips, or edge of their eating], word study 31 God’s [Elohim, the supreme divine being] anger [wrath] flared [went up, ascended] against them, and He put to death [slew, killed with intent] their strongest [fattest, most robust] and subdued [smote down, caused to bend] the young men [youths, chosen ones] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob]. word study 32 In spite of [despite, regardless of] all this [these things, this situation], they kept on [still, continually] sinning [missing the mark, rebelling against God]; despite [in spite of, notwithstanding] His wonderful [wondrous, amazing] works [miracles, mighty acts], they did not [refused to, failed to] believe [trust, have faith] [in His power and goodness]. word study 33 So He ended [consumed, brought to a close] their days [lives, periods of time] in futility [vanity, emptiness], and their years [periods of time, seasons] in sudden [hasty, chaotic] terror [dismay, panic, destruction]. word study 34 When He slew [killed with intent, destroyed] them, they would seek [inquire after, search for] Him; they repented [turned back, changed their mind] and searched [sought earnestly, looked for] for God [the one true divine being, Elohim]. word study 35 And they remembered [to recall, to mark in their minds] that God [Elohim, the one supreme God] was their Rock [a refuge, a strong foundation], that God [the Most High, exalted above all] Most High [the supreme authority] was their Redeemer [Savior, the one who rescues and restores]. word study 36 But they deceived [flattered, tried to deceive] Him with their mouths [lips, words], and lied [dissembled, spoke falsely] to Him with their tongues [language, speech]. word study 37 Their hearts [deep down, their inner being] were disloyal [not right, unfaithful] to Him, and they were unfaithful [not steadfast, did not keep] to His covenant [agreement, promise]. word study 38 And yet He [being merciful, full of compassion] was compassionate [showing kindness and sympathy]; He forgave [to atone for, pardon] their iniquity [moral evil, sin] and did not destroy [to ruin, corrupt] them. He often [many a time, frequently] restrained [turned back, controlled] His anger [emotions] and did not unleash [stir up, rouse] His full [all, complete] wrath [intense anger, rage]. word study 39 He remembered [to recall, to mark] that they [the Israelites] were but [merely, only] flesh [human nature, mortal bodies], a passing [transient, fleeting] breeze [wind, spirit, breath of life] that does [will, is going to] not [never, absence] return [come back, turn back, to return]. word study 40 How often [frequently, many times] they disobeyed [rebelled against, resisted] Him in the wilderness [desert, empty place] and grieved [hurt, caused pain to] Him in the desert [wilderness, desolate place]! word study 41 Again and again they tested [tried, tempted] God [the Holy One, divine Strength] and provoked [wounded, caused pain to] the Holy [set apart, sacred] One of Israel [Jacob’s descendants, God’s chosen people]. word study 42 They did not remember [forgot, failed to recall] His power [strength, mighty hand] — the day [a specific time, a notable occasion] He redeemed [ransomed, set free] them from the adversary [enemy, oppressor, the one who afflicts], word study 43 when He performed [did, set, wrought] His signs [miraculous tokens, wonders] in Egypt [the land of the Nile, northeastern Africa] and His wonders [miracles, marvelous deeds] in the fields [plain, land] of Zoan [Tanis, an ancient city]. word study 44 He turned [completely changed, overturned] their rivers [streams, watercourses] to blood [the liquid that flows through the body], and from their streams [floods, canals] they could [were able, had the power] not [nothing, absent] drink [consume, feast]. word study 45 He sent [divers sorts of] swarms of flies [a large group of insects, like mosquitoes] that devoured [ate, consumed] them, and frogs [marsh-leaping animals] that devastated [destroyed, ruined] them. word study 46 He gave [to the caterpillar, their increase] their crops [fruits and grains, produce of the land] to the grasshopper [locust, a type of insect that ravages crops], the fruit [result, product] of their labor [toil, hard work, the things we produce] to the locust [a type of insect that rapidly multiplies, bringing destruction]. word study 47 He killed [destroyed, slaughtered] their vines [grapevines] with hailstones [hail, a sign of God’s judgment] and their sycamore-figs [fig trees, possibly a type of wild fig tree] with sleet [frost, a type of freezing rain]. word study 48 He abandoned [gave up, surrendered] their cattle [beasts, livestock] to the hail [ice, frozen balls of rain] and their livestock [flocks, herds] to bolts of lightning [hot thunderbolts, flashes of fire]. word study 49 He unleashed [poured out, sent forth] His fury [burning anger, intense wrath] against them, wrath [fierce anger], indignation [intense displeasure], and calamity [trouble, distress]— a band [deputation, group] of destroying [evil, bad] angels [messengers, representatives of God]. word study 50 He cleared [made a way, pondered] a path [road, way] for His anger [intense emotion]; He did not [lo, absolutely not] spare [withhold, restrain] them from death [the end of life, mortal demise] but delivered [handed over, shut them in] their lives [soul, being, existence] to the plague [pestilence, disease, devastation]. word study 51 He struck [smiteth, caused to die] all the firstborn [chief, beginning] of Egypt [the land, the people], the virility [strength, first-fruits] in the tents [tabernacles, homes] of Ham [a son of Noah, his descendants]. word study 52 He led out [brought forth, guided] His people [nation, community] like sheep [a flock, gentle creatures] and guided [directed, led] them like a flock [a group, herd] in the wilderness [desert, barren land]. word study 53 He led [guided, directed] them safely [to a place of security, in confidence], so they did not [were not caused to] fear [dread, be afraid], but the sea [the large body of water] engulfed [overwhelmed, covered] their enemies [adversaries, those who oppose]. word study 54 He brought them to His holy land [set-apart place, sacred territory], to the mountain [hill] His right hand [the right hand or side; the south] had acquired [purchased, redeemed, conquered] [by His power, for their benefit]. word study 55 He drove out [expelled, cast out] nations [Gentiles, heathen] before them and apportioned [divided, allotted] their inheritance [property, heritage]; He settled [caused to dwell, made to inhabit] the tribes [clans, families] of Israel [God’s chosen people] in their tents [tabernacles, dwelling places]. word study 56 But they tested [tempted, proved] and disobeyed [rebelled against, resisted] God [Elohim, the supreme authority] Most High [the Most Exalted, supreme power], for they did not keep [obey, guard] His decrees [testimonies, divine laws, witness]. word study 57 They turned back [to their old ways, in apostasy] and were faithless [dealt unfaithfully, treacherous] like their fathers [ancestors, forefathers], twisted [overturned, completely changed] like a faulty [deceitful, defective] bow [an archer’s weapon]. word study 58 They enraged [provoked to anger, made angry] Him with their high places [cultic platforms, elevations for idol worship] and provoked [moved to wrath, stirred up] His jealousy [zeal, envy] with their idols [graven images, carved representations of false gods]. word study 59 On hearing [with attention and obedience, to listen carefully] it, God [Elohim, the one supreme God] was furious [wroth, very angry] and rejected [to spurn, greatly abhorred] Israel [the descendants of Jacob, His chosen people] completely [totally, exceedingly]. word study 60 He abandoned [forsook, left] the tabernacle [dwelling place, sanctuary] of Shiloh [place of rest], the tent [nomad’s home, portable sanctuary] He had pitched [placed, set up] among men [humanity, people, the Israelites]. word study 61 He delivered His strength [power, might] to captivity [exile, bondage], and His splendor [beauty, glory] to the hand [control, authority] of the adversary [enemy, oppressor]. word study 62 He surrendered [gave over, handed over to be slaughtered] His people [nation, Amaw] to the sword [cutting instrument, knife] because He was enraged [angry, wroth] by His heritage [inheritance, something passed down, uvenachalato]. word study 63 Fire [devouring, consuming] consumed His young men [chosen, select individuals], and their maidens [virgins, brides] were left without [lacking, absent] wedding songs [marriage praise, celebration]. word study 64 His priests [spiritual leaders, ministers of God] fell by the sword [a cutting instrument], but their widows [women left alone, without husbands] could not [were not allowed to, were unable to] lament [to weep, to mourn, to express sorrow]. word study 65 Then the Lord [Adonay, the supreme Ruler] awoke [as one out of sleep] as from sleep [a state of inactivity], like a mighty [strong, powerful] warrior [champion, hero] overcome [shouting, crying out] by wine [intoxicating drink, fermented beverage]. word study 66 He beat back [struck, smote] His foes [enemies, adversaries]; He put [gave, assigned] them to [a state of] everlasting [perpetual, forever] shame [reproach, disgrace]. word study 67 He rejected [spurned, refused to choose] the tent [tabernacle, dwelling place] of Joseph [Jehovah has added] and refused [did not choose, put on one side] the tribe [clan, family group] of Ephraim [doubly fruitful]. word study 68 But He chose [selected, preferred] the tribe [a clan or family group] of Judah [the region and descendants of Judah, son of Jacob], Mount [a high hill or mountain] Zion [the city of God], which [that is, the place] He loved [had affection for, delighted in, to have a strong affection or attachment]. word study 69 He built [established, founded] His sanctuary [holy place, temple] like [as high as] the heights [high heavens, lofty regions], like [similar to] the earth [land, ground] He has established [founded, settled] forever [for all eternity, always]. word study 70 He chose [selected, appointed] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] His servant [slave, bondservant, one who serves] and took [removed, brought away] him from the sheepfolds [flocks, pastures, enclosures for sheep]; word study 71 from tending [caring for, watching over] the ewes [nursing mothers, female sheep] He brought him to be [appointed as, established as] shepherd [leader, ruler, caretaker] of His people [nation, community] Jacob [the supplanter, deceiver], of Israel [God’s chosen, prince with God] His inheritance [heritage, possession, legacy]. word study 72 So David shepherded [cared for, tended to] them with integrity [moral purity, completeness] of heart [the innermost part, including mind, will, and emotions] and guided [led, directed] them with skillful [wise, discreet] hands [the palm]. word study