Psalms 77-78

Psalms 77-78

Chapter 77: The Righteous Remember Wonders of God

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.

                In the days of trouble Asaph sought the Lord, and in these days he remembered the great works of the Lord.God does many works and wonders. God redeemed the sons of Jacob and led Israel like a flock in the ancient times.

Chapter 78: Israel = Teach the Lords Law

Maschil of Asaph.

                This Psalm gives us a pretty good summary of the first five books of Moses. Asaph tells us that Israel must teach their children the Laws of the Lord in order to remain at peace with the Lord.

                He reminds us of the ancient Israelites, who disobeyed God. The problem was simple, it was one of memory loss. The Israelites had seen the mighty power of the Lord throughout the first five books of Moses.

                The Lord…

                “…divided the sea, and caused them [Israelites] to pass through…” (Psalms 78:13)

“… he [The Lord] led them [Israelites] with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.” (Psalms 78:14)

“…gave them drink as out of the great depths.” (Psalms 78:15)

“…he [The Lord] smote the rock, that the waters gushed out…” (Psalms 78:20)

                

“…rained down mann upon them to eat…” (Psalms 78:24)

“…rained down flesh also upon them… fowls like as the sand of the sea…” (Psalms 78:27)

YET, EVEN AFTER ALL THESE MIRACLES, THEY CHOSE TO SIN AND BELIEVE NOT IN HIM.

“For all this they sinned still, and believe not for his wondrous works.” (Psalms 78:32)

However, if the Lords anger was not kindled and he started to slay them with his mighty power “…they remembered that God was their rock… Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues… neither were they stedfast in his covenant.” (Psalms 78:35-37)

When trouble arose, these Israelites remembered God and told God, lying to him, that they would no longer do evil, and “turn” themselves “over” to God. Even after being lied to, the Lord in his great majesty, power and empathy remembered himself that they were but “flesh” or mortal and with human error.

                These Israelites provoked the Lord to anger; they caused him to be jealous of their worship to false idols. May we remember that we must not provoke the Lord; we must remember all that he has done for us and not forget about Him.