40 How H4100 oft did they provoke H4784 him in the wilderness, H4057 and grieve H6087 him in the desert! H3452
And G2532 grieve G3076 not G3361 the holy G40 Spirit G4151 of God, G2316 whereby G1722 G3739 ye are sealed G4972 unto G1519 the day G2250 of redemption. G629
Harden H7185 not your heart, H3824 as in the provocation, H4808 and as in the day H3117 of temptation H4531 in the wilderness: H4057 When your fathers H1 tempted H5254 me, proved H974 me, and saw H7200 my work. H6467 Forty H705 years H8141 long was I grieved H6962 with this generation, H1755 and said, H559 It is a people H5971 that do err H8582 in their heart, H3824 and they have not known H3045 my ways: H1870
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 How long will this people H5971 provoke H5006 me? and how long will it be ere H3808 they believe H539 me, for all the signs H226 which I have shewed H6213 among H7130 them?
And I took H3947 your sin, H2403 the calf H5695 which ye had made, H6213 and burnt H8313 it with fire, H784 and stamped H3807 it, and ground H2912 it very small, H3190 even until it was as small H1854 as dust: H6083 and I cast H7993 the dust H6083 thereof into the brook H5158 that descended out H3381 of the mount. H2022 And at Taberah, H8404 and at Massah, H4532 and at Kibrothhattaavah, H6914 ye provoked the LORD H3068 to wrath. H7107
But lusted H183 exceedingly H8378 in the wilderness, H4057 and tempted H5254 God H410 in the desert. H3452 And he gave H5414 them their request; H7596 but sent H7971 leanness H7332 into their soul. H5315 They envied H7065 Moses H4872 also in the camp, H4264 and Aaron H175 the saint H6918 of the LORD. H3068 The earth H776 opened H6605 and swallowed up H1104 Dathan, H1885 and covered H3680 the company H5712 of Abiram. H48 And a fire H784 was kindled H1197 in their company; H5712 the flame H3852 burned up H3857 the wicked. H7563 They made H6213 a calf H5695 in Horeb, H2722 and worshipped H7812 the molten image. H4541 Thus they changed H4171 their glory H3519 into the similitude H8403 of an ox H7794 that eateth H398 grass. H6212 They forgat H7911 God H410 their saviour, H3467 which had done H6213 great things H1419 in Egypt; H4714 Wondrous works H6381 in the land H776 of Ham, H2526 and terrible things H3372 by the Red H5488 sea. H3220 Therefore he said H559 that he would destroy H8045 them, had not H3884 Moses H4872 his chosen H972 stood H5975 before H6440 him in the breach, H6556 to turn away H7725 his wrath, H2534 lest he should destroy H7843 them. Yea, they despised H3988 the pleasant H2532 land, H776 they believed H539 not his word: H1697 But murmured H7279 in their tents, H168 and hearkened H8085 not unto the voice H6963 of the LORD. H3068 Therefore he lifted up H5375 his hand H3027 against them, to overthrow H5307 them in the wilderness: H4057 To overthrow H5307 their seed H2233 also among the nations, H1471 and to scatter H2219 them in the lands. H776 They joined H6775 themselves also unto Baalpeor, H1187 and ate H398 the sacrifices H2077 of the dead. H4191 Thus they provoked him to anger H3707 with their inventions: H4611 and the plague H4046 brake in H6555 upon them. Then stood up H5975 Phinehas, H6372 and executed judgment: H6419 and so the plague H4046 was stayed. H6113 And that was counted H2803 unto him for righteousness H6666 unto all H1755 generations H1755 for H5704 evermore. H5769 They angered H7107 him also at the waters H4325 of strife, H4808 H4809 so that it went ill H3415 with Moses H4872 for their sakes: Because they provoked H4784 his spirit, H7307 so that he spake unadvisedly H981 with his lips. H8193
While G1722 it is said, G3004 To day G4594 if G1437 ye will hear G191 his G846 voice, G5456 harden G4645 not G3361 your G5216 hearts, G2588 as G5613 in G1722 the provocation. G3894 For G1063 some, G5100 when they had heard, G191 did provoke: G3893 howbeit G235 not G3756 all G3956 that came G1831 out of G1537 Egypt G125 by G1223 Moses. G3475 But G1161 with whom G5101 was he grieved G4360 forty G5062 years? G2094 was it not G3780 with them that had sinned, G264 whose G3739 carcases G2966 fell G4098 in G1722 the wilderness? G2048
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 78
Commentary on Psalms 78 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 78
Ps 78:1-72. This Psalm appears to have been occasioned by the removal of the sanctuary from Shiloh in the tribe of Ephraim to Zion in the tribe of Judah, and the coincident transfer of pre-eminence in Israel from the former to the latter tribe, as clearly evinced by David's settlement as the head of the Church and nation. Though this was the execution of God's purpose, the writer here shows that it also proceeded from the divine judgment on Ephraim, under whose leadership the people had manifested the same sinful and rebellious character which had distinguished their ancestors in Egypt.
1. my people … my law—the language of a religious teacher (Ps 78:2; La 3:14; Ro 2:16, 27; compare Ps 49:4). The history which follows was a "dark saying," or riddle, if left unexplained, and its right apprehension required wisdom and attention.
3-8. This history had been handed down (Ex 12:14; De 6:20) for God's honor, and that the principles of His law might be known and observed by posterity. This important sentiment is reiterated in (Ps 78:7, 8) negative form.
5. testimony—(Ps 19:7).
8. stubborn and rebellious—(De 21:18).
set not their heart—on God's service (2Ch 12:14).
9-11. The privileges of the first-born which belonged to Joseph (1Ch 5:1, 2) were assigned to Ephraim by Jacob (Ge 48:1). The supremacy of the tribe thus intimated was recognized by its position (in the marching of the nation to Canaan) next to the ark (Nu 2:18-24), by the selection of the first permanent locality for the ark within its borders at Shiloh, and by the extensive and fertile province given for its possession. Traces of this prominence remained after the schism under Rehoboam, in the use, by later writers, of Ephraim for Israel (compare Ho 5:3-14; 11:3-12). Though a strong, well-armed tribe, and, from an early period, emulous and haughty (compare Jos 17:14; Jud 8:1-3; 2Sa 19:41), it appears, in this place, that it had rather led the rest in cowardice than courage; and had incurred God's displeasure, because, diffident of His promise, though often heretofore fulfilled, it had failed as a leader to carry out the terms of the covenant, by not driving out the heathen (Ex 23:24; De 31:16; 2Ki 17:15).
12-14. A record of God's dealings and the sins of the people is now made. The writer gives the history from the exode to the retreat from Kadesh; then contrasts their sins with their reasons for confidence, shown by a detail of God's dealings in Egypt, and presents a summary of the subsequent history to David's time.
Zoan—for Egypt, as its ancient capital (Nu 13:22; Isa 19:11).
15, 16. There were two similar miracles (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11).
great depths—and—rivers—denote abundance.
17-20. yet more—literally, "added to sin," instead of being led to repentance (Ro 2:4).
18. in their heart—(Mt 15:19).
for their lust—literally, "soul," or, "desire."
provoking—and—tempted—illustrated by their absurd doubts,
19, 20. in the face of His admitted power.
21. fire—the effect of the "anger" (Nu 11:1).
22. (Compare Heb 8:8, 9).
23-29. (Compare Ex 16:11-15; Nu 11:4-9).
25. angels' food—literally, "bread of the mighty" (compare Ps 105:40); so called, as it came from heaven.
meat—literally, "victuals," as for a journey.
29. their … desire—what they longed for.
30, 31. not estranged … lust—or, "desire"—that is, were indulging it.
31. slew … fattest—or, "among the fattest"; some of them—
chosen—the young and strong (Isa 40:31), and so none could resist.
33-39. Though there were partial reformations after chastisement, and God, in pity, withdrew His hand for a time, yet their general conduct was rebellious, and He was thus provoked to waste and destroy them, by long and fruitless wandering in the desert.
36. lied … tongues—a feigned obedience (Ps 18:44).
37. heart … not right—or, "firm" (compare Ps 78:8; Ps 51:10).
39. a wind … again—literally, "a breath," thin air (compare Ps 103:16; Jas 4:14).
40, 41. There were ten temptations (Nu 14:22).
41. limited—as in Ps 78:19, 20. Though some prefer "grieved" or "provoked." The retreat from Kadesh (De 1:19-23) is meant, whether—
turned—be for turning back, or to denote repetition of offense.
43. wrought—set or held forth.
45. The dog-fly or the mosquito.
46. caterpillar—the Hebrew name, from its voracity, and that of—
locust—from its multitude.
47, 48. The additional effects of the storm here mentioned (compare Ex 9:23-34) are consistent with Moses' account.
48. gave … cattle—literally, "shut up" (compare Ps 31:8).
49. evil angels—or, "angels of evil"—many were perhaps employed, and other evils inflicted.
50, 51. made a way—removed obstacles, gave it full scope.
51. chief of their strength—literally, "first-fruits," or, "first-born" (Ge 49:3; De 21:17).
Ham—one of whose sons gave name (Mizraim, Hebrew) to Egypt.
52-54. made his … forth—or, brought them by periodical journeys (compare Ex 15:1).
54. border of his sanctuary—or, "holy border"—i. e., region of which—
this mountain—(Zion) was, as the seat of civil and religious government, the representative, used for the whole land, as afterwards for the Church (Isa 25:6, 7).
purchased—or, "procured by His right hand" or power (Ps 60:5).
55. by line—or, the portion thus measured.
divided them—that is, the heathen, put for their possessions, so tents—that is, of the heathen (compare De 6:11).
56, 57. a deceitful bow—which turns back, and so fails to project the arrow (2Sa 1:22; Ho 7:16). They relapsed.
58. Idolatry resulted from sparing the heathen (compare Ps 78:9-11).
59, 60. heard—perceived (Ge 11:7).
abhorred—but not utterly.
60. tent … placed—literally, "caused to dwell," set up (Jos 18:1).
61. his strength—the ark, as symbolical of it (Ps 96:6).
62. gave—or, "shut up."
his people—(Ps 78:48; 1Sa 4:10-17).
63. fire—either figure of the slaughter (1Sa 4:10), or a literal burning by the heathen.
given to marriage—literally, "praised"—that is, as brides.
64. (Compare 1Sa 4:17); and there were, doubtless, others.
made no lamentation—either because stupefied by grief, or hindered by the enemy.
65. (Compare Ps 22:16; Isa 42:13).
66. And he smote … part—or, "struck His enemies' back." The Philistines never regained their position after their defeats by David.
67, 68. tabernacle of Joseph—or, "home," or, "tribe," to which—
tribe of Ephraim—is parallel (compare Re 7:8). Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the choice (Ge 49:10).
69. Exalted as—
high palaces—or, "mountains," and abiding as—the earth.
70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking—humility and exaltation—and the correspondence is beautiful.
71. following … ewes, &c.—literally, "ewes giving suck" (compare Isa 40:11). On the pastoral terms, compare Ps 79:13.