Psalms 78:1-72

Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 78:1. This is a historical psalm (compare Psalms 105:1; Psalms 106:1), recalling events from Israel’s past. It shows how God persevered with his people, even when they disbelieved, and how he cleansed them by removing unbelievers from their midst. The emphasis is on the people as a whole and their obligation to embrace the covenant faithfully in each generation. Terms for “remember” and “forget” run through the psalm (Psalms 78:7, Psalms 78:11, Psalms 78:35, Psalms 78:42; see v. Psalms 78:39, where God remembers). The psalmist hopes that those who sing this will never again forget. The psalm opens with its purpose statement (vv. Psalms 78:1), followed by several episodes of sin and unbelief. Each new section begins with “they sinned” or “they rebelled” (vv. Psalms 78:17, Psalms 78:32, Psalms 78:40, Psalms 78:56). The final section focuses on David as one of God’s great gifts to Israel (vv. Psalms 78:65).