Psalms 78
78
PSALM 78
Common Meter: 8,6,8,6
Maschil of Asaph.
1Attend, my people, to my law;
thereto give thou an ear;
The words that from my mouth proceed
attentively do hear.
2My mouth shall speak a parable,
and sayings dark of old;
3The same which we have heard and known,
and us our fathers told.
4We also will them not conceal
from their posterity;
Them to the generation
to come declare will we:
The praises of the Lord our God,
and his almighty strength,
The wondrous works that he hath done,
we will shew forth at length.
5His testimony and his law
in Isr'el he did place,
And charg'd our fathers it to show
to their succeeding race;
6That so the race which was to come
might well them learn and know;
And sons unborn, who should arise,
might to their sons them show:
7That they might set their hope in God,
and suffer not to fall
His mighty works out of their mind,
but keep his precepts all:
8And might not, like their fathers, be
a stiff rebellious race;
A race not right in heart; with God
whose sp'rit not stedfast was.
9The sons of Ephraim, who nor bows
nor other arms did lack,
When as the day of battle was,
they faintly turned back.
10They brake God's cov'nant,
and refus'd in his commands to go;
11His works and wonders they forgot,
which he to them did show.
12Things marvellous he brought to pass;
their fathers them beheld
Within the land of Egypt done,
yea, ev'n in Zoan's field.
13By him divided was the sea,
he caus'd them through to pass;
And made the waters so to stand,
as like an heap it was.
14With cloud by day, with light of fire
all night, he did them guide.
15In desert rocks he clave,
and drink, as from great depths, supply'd.
16He from the rock brought streams, like floods
made waters to run down.
17Yet sinning more, in desert they
provok'd the Highest One.
18For in their heart they tempted God,
and, speaking with mistrust,
They greedily did meat require
to satisfy their lust.
19Against the Lord himself they spake,
and, murmuring, said thus,
A table in the wilderness
can God prepare for us?
20Behold, he smote the rock, and thence
came streams and waters great;
But can he give his people bread?
and send them flesh to eat?
21The Lord did hear, and waxed wroth;
so kindled was a flame
'Gainst Jacob, and 'gainst Israel
up indignation came.
22For they believ'd not God, nor trust
in his salvation had;
23Though clouds above he did command,
and heav'n's doors open made,
24And manna rain'd on them,
and gave them corn of heav'n to eat.
25Man angels' food did eat; to them
he to the full sent meat.
26And in the heaven he did cause
an eastern wind to blow;
And by his power he let out
the southern wind to go.
27Then flesh as thick as dust he made
to rain down them among;
And feather'd fowls, like as the sand
which li'th the shore along.
28At his command amidst their camp
these show'rs of flesh down fell,
All round about the tabernacles
and tents where they did dwell.
29So they did eat abundantly,
and had of meat their fill;
For he did give to them what was
their own desire and will.
30They from their lust had not estrang'd
their heart and their desire;
But while the meat was in their mouths,
which they did so require,
31God's wrath upon them came,
and slew the fattest of them all;
So that the choice of Israel,
o'erthrown by death, did fall.
32Yet, notwithstanding of all this,
they sinned still the more;
And though he had great wonders wrought,
believ'd him not therefore:
33Wherefore their days in vanity
he did consume and waste;
And by his wrath their wretched years
away in trouble past.
34But when he slew them, then they did
to seek him shew desire;
Yea, they return'd, and after God
right early did enquire.
35And that the Lord had been their Rock,
they did remember then;
Ev'n that the high almighty God
had their Redeemer been.
36Yet with their mouth they flatter'd him,
and spake but feignedly;
And they unto the God of truth
with their false tongues did lie.
37For though their words were good, their heart
with him was not sincere;
Unstedfast and perfidious
they in his cov'nant were.
38But, full of pity, he forgave
their sin, them did not slay;
Nor stirr'd up all his wrath, but oft
his anger turn'd away.
39For that they were but fading flesh
to mind he did recall;
A wind that passeth soon away,
and not returns at all.
40How often did they him provoke
within the wilderness!
And in the desert did him grieve
with their rebelliousness!
41Yea, turning back, they tempted God,
and limits set upon
Him, who in midst of Isr'el is
the only Holy One.
42They did not call to mind his pow'r,
nor yet the day when he
Deliver'd them out of the hand
of their fierce enemy;
43Nor how great signs in Egypt land
he openly had wrought;
What miracles in Zoan's field
his hand to pass had brought.
44How lakes and rivers ev'ry where
he turned into blood;
So that nor man nor beast could drink
of standing lake or flood.
45He brought among them swarms of flies,
which did them sore annoy;
And divers kinds of filthy frogs
he sent them to destroy.
46He to the caterpillar gave
the fruits of all their soil;
Their labours he deliver'd up
unto the locusts' spoil.
47Their vines with hail, their sycamores
he with the frost did blast:
48Their beasts to hail he gave; their flocks
hot thunderbolts did waste.
49Fierce burning wrath he on them cast,
and indignation strong,
And troubles sore, by sending forth
ill angels them among.
50He to his wrath made way; their soul
from death he did not save;
But over to the pestilence
the lives of them he gave.
51In Egypt land the first-born all
he smote down ev'ry where;
Among the tents of Ham, ev'n these
chief of their strength that were.
52But his own people, like to sheep,
thence to go forth he made;
And he, amidst the wilderness,
them, as a flock, did lead.
53And he them safely on did lead,
so that they did not fear;
Whereas their en'mies by the sea
quite overwhelmed were.
54To borders of his sanctuary
the Lord his people led,
Ev'n to the mount which his right hand
for them had purchased.
55The nations of Canaan,
by his almighty hand,
Before their face he did expel
out of their native land;
Which for inheritance to them
by line he did divide,
And made the tribes of Israel
within their tents abide.
56Yet God most high they did provoke,
and tempted ever still;
And to observe his testimonies
did not incline their will:
57But, like their fathers, turned back,
and dealt unfaithfully:
Aside they turned, like a bow
that shoots deceitfully.
58For they to anger did provoke
him with their places high;
And with their graven images
mov'd him to jealousy.
59When God heard this, he waxed wroth,
and much loath'd Isr'el then:
60So Shiloh's tent he left, the tent
which he had plac'd with men.
61And he his strength delivered
into captivity;
He left his glory in the hand
of his proud enemy.
62His people also he gave o'er
unto the sword's fierce rage:
So sore his wrath inflamed was
against his heritage.
63The fire consum'd their choice young men;
their maids no marriage had;
64And when their priests fell by the sword,
their wives no mourning made.
65But then the Lord arose, as one
that doth from sleep awake;
And like a giant that, by wine
refresh'd, a shout doth make:
66Upon his en'mies' hinder parts
he made his stroke to fall;
And so upon them he did put
a shame perpetual.
67Moreover, he the tabernacle
of Joseph did refuse;
The mighty tribe of Ephraim
he would in no wise chuse:
68But he did chuse Jehudah's tribe
to be the rest above;
And of mount Sion he made choice,
which he so much did love.
69And he his sanctuary built
like to a palace high,
Like to the earth which he did found
to perpetuity.
70Of David, that his servant was,
he also choice did make,
And even from the folds of sheep
was pleased him to take:
71From waiting on the ewes with young,
he brought him forth to feed
Israel, his inheritance,
his people, Jacob's seed.
72So after the integrity
he of his heart them fed;
And by the good skill of his hands
them wisely governed.
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Psalms 78
78
Psalm 78
God’s Guidance of His People in Spite of Their Unfaithfulness.
A #78:0 Possibly, Contemplative; or Didactic; or Skillful PsalmMaskil of Asaph.
1Listen, my people, to my #78:1 Or law, teachinginstruction;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will tell riddles of old,
3Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
4We will not conceal them from their children,
But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His power and His wondrous works that He has done.
5¶For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers
That they were to #78:5 Lit make them knownteach them to their children,
6So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born,
That they would arise and tell them to their children,
7So that they would put their confidence in God
And not forget the works of God,
But comply with His commandments,
8And not be like their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not #78:8 Or put rightprepare its heart
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9¶The sons of Ephraim #78:9 Or beingwere archers equipped with bows,
Yet they turned back on the day of battle.
10They did not keep the covenant of God
And refused to walk in His Law;
11They forgot His deeds
And His #78:11 Or wonderful worksmiracles that He had shown them.
12He performed wonders before their fathers
In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13He divided the sea and caused them to pass through,
And He made the waters stand up like a heap.
14Then He led them with the cloud by day
And all the night with a light of fire.
15He split the rocks in the wilderness
And gave them plenty to drink like the ocean depths.
16He brought forth streams from the rock
And made waters run down like rivers.
17¶Yet they still continued to sin against Him,
To rebel against the Most High in the desert.
18And in their heart they put God to the test
By asking for food #78:18 Lit to their soulthat suited their taste.
19Then they spoke against God;
They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
20“Behold, He struck the rock so that waters gushed out,
And streams were overflowing;
Can He also provide bread?
Will He prepare meat for His people?”
21¶Therefore the Lord heard and #78:21 Or became infuriatedwas full of wrath;
And a fire was kindled against Jacob,
And anger also mounted against Israel,
22Because they did not believe in God
And did not trust in His salvation.
23Yet He commanded the clouds above
And opened the doors of heaven;
24He rained down manna upon them to eat,
And gave them #78:24 Lit grainfood from heaven.
25Man ate the bread of #78:25 Lit mighty onesangels;
He sent them #78:25 Or provisionfood #78:25 Lit to satiationin abundance.
26He made the east wind blow in the sky
And by His #78:26 Or strengthpower He directed the south wind.
27When He rained meat upon them like the dust,
Even winged fowl like the sand of the seas,
28He let them fall in the midst of #78:28 Lit Histheir camp,
All around their dwellings.
29So they ate and were well filled,
And He #78:29 Lit brought to them theirsatisfied their longing.
30 # 78:30 Lit They did not turn away from their Yet before they had abandoned their longing,
While their food was in their mouths,
31The anger of God rose against them
And killed #78:31 Lit among their fat onessome of their strongest ones,
And #78:31 Lit caused to bow downsubdued the choice men of Israel.
32In spite of all this they still sinned
And did not believe in His wonderful works.
33So He brought their days to an end in futility,
And their years to an end in sudden terror.
34¶When He killed them, then they sought Him,
And they returned and searched diligently for God;
35And they remembered that God was their rock,
And the Most High God their Redeemer.
36But they flattered Him with their mouth
And lied to Him with their tongue.
37For their heart was not steadfast toward Him,
Nor were they faithful with His covenant.
38But He, being compassionate, #78:38 Lit covered over, atoned forforgave their wrongdoing and did not destroy them;
And often He #78:38 Lit turned awayrestrained His anger
And did not stir up all His wrath.
39So He remembered that they were only flesh,
A #78:39 Or breathwind that passes and does not return.
40¶How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness
And grieved Him in the desert!
41Again and again they #78:41 Or put God to the testtempted God,
And pained the Holy One of Israel.
42They did not remember His #78:42 Lit handpower,
The day when He redeemed them from the enemy,
43When He performed His signs in Egypt
And His marvels in the field of Zoan,
44And turned their rivers to blood,
And their streams, so that they could not drink.
45He sent swarms of flies among them that devoured them,
And frogs that destroyed them.
46He also gave their crops to the grasshopper
And the product of their labor to the locust.
47He #78:47 Lit was killingdestroyed their vines with hailstones
And their sycamore trees with frost.
48He also turned their cattle over to the hailstones,
And their herds to bolts of lightning.
49He sent His burning anger upon them,
Fury and indignation and trouble,
A band of #78:49 Lit angels of evil ones; another reading is evil angelsdestroying angels.
50He leveled a path for His anger;
He did not spare their souls from death,
But turned their lives over to the plague,
51And struck all the firstborn in Egypt,
The first and best of their vigor in the tents of Ham.
52But He led His own people out like sheep,
And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
53He led them safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea engulfed their enemies.
54¶So He brought them to His holy #78:54 Lit border, territoryland,
To this #78:54 Or mountainhill country which His right hand had gained.
55He also drove out the nations from them
And apportioned them as an inheritance by measurement,
And had the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.
56Yet they #78:56 Or put to the testtempted and rebelled against the Most High God
And did not keep His testimonies,
57But turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers;
They turned aside like a treacherous bow.
58For they provoked Him with their high places
And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.
59When God heard them, He #78:59 Or became infuriatedwas filled with wrath
And He utterly rejected Israel;
60So that He abandoned the dwelling place at Shiloh,
The tent #78:60 Some ancient versions where He dweltwhich He had pitched among people,
61And He gave up His strength to captivity
And His glory into the hand of the enemy.
62He also turned His people over to the sword,
And #78:62 Or became infuriatedwas filled with wrath at His inheritance.
63Fire devoured #78:63 Or theirHis young men,
And #78:63 Or theirHis virgins had no wedding songs.
64 # 78:64 Or their His priests fell by the sword,
And #78:64 Or theirHis widows could not weep.
65¶Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep,
Like a warrior #78:65 Or sobered up fromovercome by wine.
66He #78:66 Lit struckdrove His adversaries backward;
He put on them an everlasting disgrace.
67He also rejected the tent of Joseph,
And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which He loved.
69And He built His sanctuary like the heights,
Like the earth which He has established forever.
70He also chose His servant David
And took him from the sheepfolds;
71From #78:71 Lit followingthe care of the #78:71 Lit ewes that wet-nurse, Heewes with nursing lambs He brought him
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.
72So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart,
And guided them with his skillful hands.
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