Thematic Bible
Psalm 78:1 (show verse)
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth [and be willing to learn].
Psalm 78:2 (show verse)
I will open my mouth in a parable [to instruct using examples];
I will utter dark and puzzling sayings of old [that contain important truth]—
Psalm 78:3 (show verse)
Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
Psalm 78:4 (show verse)
We will not hide them from their children,
But [we will] tell to the generation to come the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
And [tell of] His great might and power and the wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 78:5 (show verse)
For He established a testimony (a specific precept) in Jacob
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers
That they should teach to their children [the great facts of God’s transactions with Israel],
Children » Instruction of
Children » Indulgence of » Instruction of
Family » Devotions » Instruction of children
Fathers » Duties of » Instruction of children
Home » special duties of parents » Instruction of children
Instruction » Of children encouraged » Instruction of children
The law of God » Given » To the israelites
the Law of moses » Given » To the jews
Missionaries » In the family
Rebellion against God » Religious instruction designed to prevent
School » In the home
Social duties » Parental parental duties » Instruction of children
Children » Indulgence of » Instruction of
Family » Devotions » Instruction of children
Fathers » Duties of » Instruction of children
Home » special duties of parents » Instruction of children
Instruction » Of children encouraged » Instruction of children
The law of God » Given » To the israelites
the Law of moses » Given » To the jews
Missionaries » In the family
Rebellion against God » Religious instruction designed to prevent
School » In the home
Social duties » Parental parental duties » Instruction of children
Psalm 78:6 (show verse)
That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born
May arise and recount them to their children,
Psalm 78:7 (show verse)
That they should place their confidence in God
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments,
Psalm 78:8 (show verse)
And not be like their fathers—
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not prepare its heart to know and follow God,
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Children » Instruction of
Decision » Opposed to » Not setting the heart aright
Missionaries » In the family
Rebellion against God » Religious instruction designed to prevent
School » In the home
Self-will » Exhibited in » Rebelling against God
Self-will and stubbornness » Exhibited in » Rebelling against God
Steadfastness » The wicked devoid of
Stubbornness » Warnings against
Titles and names of the wicked » Stubborn and rebellious generation
Decision » Opposed to » Not setting the heart aright
Missionaries » In the family
Rebellion against God » Religious instruction designed to prevent
School » In the home
Self-will » Exhibited in » Rebelling against God
Self-will and stubbornness » Exhibited in » Rebelling against God
Steadfastness » The wicked devoid of
Stubbornness » Warnings against
Titles and names of the wicked » Stubborn and rebellious generation
Psalm 78:9 (show verse)
The sons of Ephraim were armed as archers and carrying bows,
Yet they turned back in the day of battle.
Psalm 78:10 (show verse)
They did not keep the covenant of God
And refused to walk according to His law;
Psalm 78:11 (show verse)
And they forgot His [incredible] works
And His miraculous wonders that He had shown them.
Psalm 78:12 (show verse)
He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers
In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan [where Pharaoh resided].
Psalm 78:13 (show verse)
He divided the [Red] Sea and allowed them to pass through it,
And He made the waters stand up like [water behind] a dam.
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:14 (show verse)
In the daytime He led them with a cloud
And all the night with a light of fire.
Cloud of glory » Was designed to » Shew light to israel
Symbols of the Holy Spirit » Fire » Illuminating
Fire » Characterized as » Enlightening
divine Guidance » Promised to the obedient » Examples of
Light » Divided into » Extraordinary or miraculous
Symbols and similitudes » Of the holy spirit » Illuminating
Symbols of the Holy Spirit » Fire » Illuminating
Fire » Characterized as » Enlightening
divine Guidance » Promised to the obedient » Examples of
Light » Divided into » Extraordinary or miraculous
Symbols and similitudes » Of the holy spirit » Illuminating
Psalm 78:15 (show verse)
He split rocks in the wilderness
And gave them abundant [water to] drink like the ocean depths.
Psalm 78:16 (show verse)
He brought streams also from the rock [at Rephidim and Kadesh]
And caused waters to run down like rivers.
Psalm 78:17 (show verse)
Yet they still continued to sin against Him
By rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
Psalm 78:18 (show verse)
And in their hearts they put God to the test
By asking for food according to their [selfish] appetite.
Blessing » Temporal » From God » israelites » Supplying » Water
Gluttony » Exemplified
Gluttony » Instances of » Israel
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Worldliness » Instances of » israelites
Gluttony » Exemplified
Gluttony » Instances of » Israel
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Worldliness » Instances of » israelites
Psalm 78:19 (show verse)
Then they spoke against God;
They said, “Can God prepare [food for] a table in the wilderness?
Psalm 78:20 (show verse)
“Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out
And the streams overflowed;
Can He give bread also?
Or will He provide meat for His people?”
Blessing » Temporal » From God » israelites » Supplying » Water
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Rock » Struck by moses for water
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelief » Exhibited in » Questioning the power of God
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Rock » Struck by moses for water
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelief » Exhibited in » Questioning the power of God
Psalm 78:21 (show verse)
Therefore, when the Lord heard, He was full of wrath;
A fire was kindled against Jacob,
And His anger mounted up against Israel,
Psalm 78:22 (show verse)
Because they did not believe in God [they did not rely on Him, they did not adhere to Him],
And they did not trust in His salvation (His power to save).
Anger of God » Against » Unbelief
Jews, the » National character of » Distrustful of God
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Trust » Of the wicked » Is not in God
Trust » The reward for not trusting in the lord
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Jews, the » National character of » Distrustful of God
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Trust » Of the wicked » Is not in God
Trust » The reward for not trusting in the lord
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Psalm 78:23 (show verse)
Yet He commanded the clouds from above
And opened the doors of heaven;
Blessing » Temporal » From God » israelites » Supplying » Manna
Blessing » Temporal » From God » israelites » Supplying » Quail
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Trust » The reward for not trusting in the lord
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Blessing » Temporal » From God » israelites » Supplying » Quail
Meteorology and celestial phenomena » Phenomena of » Plagues of hail, and thunder, and lightning in egypt
Trust » The reward for not trusting in the lord
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Psalm 78:24 (show verse)
And He rained down manna upon them to eat
And gave them the grain of heaven.
Psalm 78:25 (show verse)
Man ate the bread of angels;
God sent them provision in abundance.
Psalm 78:26 (show verse)
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens
And by His [unlimited] power He guided the south wind.
Psalm 78:27 (show verse)
He rained meat upon them like the dust,
And winged birds (quail) like the sand of the seas.
Psalm 78:28 (show verse)
And He let them fall in the midst of their camp,
Around their tents.
Psalm 78:29 (show verse)
So they ate and were well filled,
He gave them what they craved.
Psalm 78:30 (show verse)
Before they had satisfied their desire,
And while their food was in their mouths,
Psalm 78:31 (show verse)
The wrath of God rose against them
And killed some of the strongest of them,
And subdued the choice young men of Israel.
Psalm 78:32 (show verse)
In spite of all this they still sinned,
For they did not believe in His wonderful and extraordinary works.
Compassion » The lord being compassionate
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
Hardness (of heart) » Examples of
Judgments » Different kinds of » Continued sorrows
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelief » Exhibited in » Not believing the works of God
Unbelievers » Their lifetime spent in vanity
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
Hardness (of heart) » Examples of
Judgments » Different kinds of » Continued sorrows
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelief » Exhibited in » Not believing the works of God
Unbelievers » Their lifetime spent in vanity
Psalm 78:33 (show verse)
Therefore He consumed their days like a breath [in emptiness and futility]
And their years in sudden terror.
Compassion » The lord being compassionate
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
Judgments » Different kinds of » Continued sorrows
Seeking God » Afflictions designed to lead to
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelievers » Their lifetime spent in vanity
Vanity » The wicked » Judicially given up to
Vanity » Evil people » Judicially given up to
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
Judgments » Different kinds of » Continued sorrows
Seeking God » Afflictions designed to lead to
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Unbelievers » Their lifetime spent in vanity
Vanity » The wicked » Judicially given up to
Vanity » Evil people » Judicially given up to
Psalm 78:34 (show verse)
When He killed [some of] them, then those remaining sought Him,
And they returned [to Him] and searched diligently for God [for a time].
Compassion » The lord being compassionate
Conversion » Through the instrumentality of » Affliction
Enquiring of God » General examples of
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
God » Remember » Returning to
Inquiring of God » General examples of
Redemption » The lord being the redeemer
Returning to God » General references to
Seeking God » Afflictions designed to lead to
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Conversion » Through the instrumentality of » Affliction
Enquiring of God » General examples of
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
God » Remember » Returning to
Inquiring of God » General examples of
Redemption » The lord being the redeemer
Returning to God » General references to
Seeking God » Afflictions designed to lead to
Trouble » Why people have trouble
Unbelief » The reward for not believing the lord
Psalm 78:35 (show verse)
And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.
Psalm 78:36 (show verse)
Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouths
And lied to Him with their tongues.
Psalm 78:37 (show verse)
For their heart was not steadfast toward Him,
Nor were they faithful to His covenant.
Psalm 78:38 (show verse)
Many times He restrained His anger
And did not stir up all His wrath.
Afflictions » Tempered with mercy
Compassion » Of Christ » Of God
Compassion » The lord being compassionate
Error » Definition of » Forgiven
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
God » Examples of Leadership » Compassion of
Longsuffering Of God » Exemplified
Sin » Excuses offered for » Forgiven
Transgression » Sin, definition of » Forgiven
Compassion » Of Christ » Of God
Compassion » The lord being compassionate
Error » Definition of » Forgiven
Forgiveness » The lord forgiving
God » Examples of Leadership » Compassion of
Longsuffering Of God » Exemplified
Sin » Excuses offered for » Forgiven
Transgression » Sin, definition of » Forgiven
Psalm 78:39 (show verse)
For He [graciously] remembered that they were mere [human] flesh,
A wind that goes and does not return.
Psalm 78:40 (show verse)
How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness
And grieved Him in the desert!
Psalm 78:41 (show verse)
Again and again they tempted God,
And distressed the Holy One of Israel.
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:42 (show verse)
They did not remember [the miracles worked by] His [powerful] hand,
Nor the day when He redeemed them from the enemy,
Psalm 78:43 (show verse)
How He worked His miracles in Egypt
And His wonders in the field of Zoan [where Pharaoh resided],
Psalm 78:44 (show verse)
And turned their rivers into blood,
And their streams, so that they could not drink.
Psalm 78:45 (show verse)
He sent among them swarms of flies which devoured them,
And frogs which destroyed them.
Psalm 78:46 (show verse)
He also gave their crops to the grasshopper,
And the fruit of their labor to the locust.
Psalm 78:47 (show verse)
He destroyed their vines with [great] hailstones
And their sycamore trees with frost.
Psalm 78:48 (show verse)
He gave over their cattle also to the hailstones,
And their flocks and herds to thunderbolts.
Psalm 78:49 (show verse)
He sent upon them His burning anger,
His fury and indignation and distress,
A band of angels of destruction [among them].
Psalm 78:50 (show verse)
He leveled a path for His anger [to give it free run];
He did not spare their souls from death,
But turned over their lives to the plague.
Anger of God » Manifested in judgments and afflictions
Egyptians » Visted by plagues
God's Judgments » Pestilence » Sent
natural Life » Of the wicked, not specially protected by God
Murrain (a disease of livestock) » A plague of egypt
Plagues » Fatal to man and beast
Punishment of the The Wicked » In this life by » Sickness
Egyptians » Visted by plagues
God's Judgments » Pestilence » Sent
natural Life » Of the wicked, not specially protected by God
Murrain (a disease of livestock) » A plague of egypt
Plagues » Fatal to man and beast
Punishment of the The Wicked » In this life by » Sickness
Psalm 78:51 (show verse)
He killed all the firstborn in Egypt,
The first and best of their strength in the tents [of the land of the sons] of Ham.
Psalm 78:52 (show verse)
But God led His own people forward like sheep
And guided them in the wilderness like [a good shepherd with] a flock.
journey of israel through the Desert » Under God's guidance
God » People of general references to » Guided like a flock
Jews, the » Called God's people » Guided like a flock
God's People » General references to » Guided like a flock
Righteous » Compared with » Sheep
compared to Saints » Sheep
Sheep » Illustrative » Of the jews
Shepherd » One who cares for flocks of sheep
Shepherd » Figurative » Of God's care
Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Going before and leading them
God » People of general references to » Guided like a flock
Jews, the » Called God's people » Guided like a flock
God's People » General references to » Guided like a flock
Righteous » Compared with » Sheep
compared to Saints » Sheep
Sheep » Illustrative » Of the jews
Shepherd » One who cares for flocks of sheep
Shepherd » Figurative » Of God's care
Shepherds » Care of the sheep by, exhibited in » Going before and leading them
Psalm 78:53 (show verse)
He led them safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea engulfed their enemies.
Psalm 78:54 (show verse)
So He brought them to His holy land,
To this mountain [Zion] which His right hand had acquired.
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:55 (show verse)
He also drove out the nations before the sons of Israel
And allotted their land as an inheritance, measured out and partitioned;
And He had the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents [the tents of those who had been dispossessed].
Psalm 78:56 (show verse)
Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God
And did not keep His testimonies (laws).
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:57 (show verse)
They turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers;
They were twisted like a warped bow [that will not respond to the archer’s aim].
Psalm 78:58 (show verse)
For they provoked Him to [righteous] anger with their high places [devoted to idol worship]
And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images [by denying Him the love, worship, and obedience that is rightfully and uniquely His].
Psalm 78:59 (show verse)
When God heard this, He was filled with [righteous] wrath;
And utterly rejected Israel, [greatly hating her ways],
Psalm 78:60 (show verse)
So that He abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh,
The tent in which He had dwelled among men,
Psalm 78:61 (show verse)
And gave up His strength and power (the ark of the covenant) into captivity,
And His glory into the hand of the enemy (the Philistines).
Psalm 78:62 (show verse)
He also handed His people over to the sword,
And was infuriated with His inheritance (Israel).
Psalm 78:63 (show verse)
The fire [of war] devoured His young men,
And His [bereaved] virgins had no wedding songs.
Psalm 78:64 (show verse)
His priests [Hophni and Phinehas] fell by the sword,
And His widows could not weep.
Psalm 78:65 (show verse)
Then the Lord awakened as from sleep,
Like a [mighty] warrior who awakens from the sleep of wine [fully conscious of his power].
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:66 (show verse)
He drove His enemies backward;
He subjected them to lasting shame and dishonor.
Psalm 78:67 (show verse)
Moreover, He rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim [in which the tabernacle stood].
Psalm 78:68 (show verse)
But He chose the tribe of Judah [as Israel’s leader],
Mount Zion, which He loved [to replace Shiloh as His capital].
No Themes for this verse.
Psalm 78:69 (show verse)
And He built His sanctuary [exalted] like the heights [of the heavens],
Like the earth which He has established forever.
Psalm 78:70 (show verse)
He also chose David His servant
And took him from the sheepfolds;
Psalm 78:71 (show verse)
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
Psalm 78:72 (show verse)
So David shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart;
And guided them with his skillful hands.