Psalm 78: God's Faithfulness

Learning from the Past – Lessons from Psalm 78

Introduction

Opening Prayer Icebreaker Vignette:

Head injury story and forgetfulness and anxiety. 2017, had a MTBI.

Misplaced keys anxiety story.

Icebreaker Question: Can you think of a time when you learned an important lesson from someone else's mistake?

Investors: Past performance does not guarantee future results, but many investors will use past performance to judge where they spend or don’t spend their money. However, past performance does not guarantee future results - except where it pertains to the LORD.

As we will read in Ps. 78, we have the opportunity to learn an important lesson from the mistakes of Israel.

In God’s faithfulness lies eternal security.

Corrie Ten Boom

Introduction

Psalm 78 is a "Maskil" of Asaph, a wisdom psalm intended to share an important lessons from Israel’s history. It recounts God's mighty works and Israel's recurring disobedience, urging the listener to remember.

The Importance of Remembering (Verses 1–8)

Read Verses 1–8

Psalm 78:1–8 (ESV)

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;

incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings from of old,

3 things that we have heard and known,

that our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

but tell to the coming generation

the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,

and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob

and appointed a law in Israel,

which he commanded our fathers

to teach to their children,

6 that the next generation might know them,

the children yet unborn,

and arise and tell them to their children,

7 so that they should set their hope in God

and not forget the works of God,

but keep his commandments;

8 and that they should not be like their fathers,

a stubborn and rebellious generation,

a generation whose heart was not steadfast,

whose spirit was not faithful to God.

The psalm begins with a call to listen and learn from the past [Is. 51:4]. The psalmist describes this teaching as a "parable" or "dark saying," while Asaph, himself, is referred to by Christ as a prophet [Matt. 13:35].

The best education is education in the best things. The Treasury Of David, Psalms 78, Verse 4

Charles Spurgeon

Discussion Questions:

Why is it important for each generation to remember the works of God?

Each generation is responsible for passing down the knowledge of God’s mighty acts to prevent spiritual forgetfulness. V. 4 says “we will not hide them [those dark sayings] from their children but tell the coming generation...” This is commanded in [Ex. 12:26, 27; 13:8, 14; Deut. 11:19; Josh. 4:6, 7; Joel 1:3]. Remembering God’s works builds faith, obedience, and trust in God. When we forget what God has done, we are more likely to stray into disobedience and doubt, just as Israel did when they failed to recall God’s faithfulness

What does it mean to “set our hope in God” as stated in verse 7?

Cursed is everyone who places his hope in man.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

To "set our hope in God" means to place our trust in Him alone for our salvation, provision, and future. It implies a commitment to rely on God’s faithfulness rather than turning to other sources of security, such as wealth, power, or idols.

Calvin: “The sum of heavenly wisdom consists in this, that men, having their hearts fixed on God by a true and unfeigned faith, call upon him, and that, for the purpose of maintaining and cherishing their confidence in him, they exercise themselves in meditating in good earnest upon his benefits; and that then they yield to him an unfeigned and devoted obedience. We may learn from this, that the true service of God begins with faith. If we transfer our trust and confidence to any other object, we defraud him of the chief part of his honour.”

Memory and Faithfulness

Forgetfulness leads to sin, while remembrance leads to trust and obedience.

Passing on Faith

Verses 4-6 emphasize the role of each generation in teaching the next about God’s greatness, so that they, too, will know, remember, and follow Him.

Israel’s Repeated Rebellion and God’s Grace (Verses 9–39)

Psalm 78:9–39 (ESV)

9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow,

turned back on the day of battle.

10 They did not keep God’s covenant,

but refused to walk according to his law.

11 They forgot his works

and the wonders that he had shown them.

12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders

in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,

and made the waters stand like a heap.

14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,

and all the night with a fiery light.

15 He split rocks in the wilderness

and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.

16 He made streams come out of the rock

and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

17 Yet they sinned still more against him,

rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

18 They tested God in their heart

by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying,

“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out

and streams overflowed.

Can he also give bread

or provide meat for his people?”

21 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;

a fire was kindled against Jacob;

his anger rose against Israel,

22 because they did not believe in God

and did not trust his saving power.

23 Yet he commanded the skies above

and opened the doors of heaven,

24 and he rained down on them manna to eat

and gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;

he sent them food in abundance.

26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,

and by his power he led out the south wind;

27 he rained meat on them like dust,

winged birds like the sand of the seas;

28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,

all around their dwellings.

29 And they ate and were well filled,

for he gave them what they craved.

30 But before they had satisfied their craving,

while the food was still in their mouths,

31 the anger of God rose against them,

and he killed the strongest of them

and laid low the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they still sinned;

despite his wonders, they did not believe.

33 So he made their days vanish like a breath,

and their years in terror.

34 When he killed them, they sought him;

they repented and sought God earnestly.

35 They remembered that God was their rock,

the Most High God their redeemer.

36 But they flattered him with their mouths;

they lied to him with their tongues.

37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him;

they were not faithful to his covenant.

38 Yet he, being compassionate,

atoned for their iniquity

and did not destroy them;

he restrained his anger often

and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,

a wind that passes and comes not again.

This section recounts Israel’s unfaithfulness during the exodus and wilderness period, even as God provided for them with miraculous works, such as parting the sea [Ex. 14:21], splitting rocks [Ex. 17:1–7; Num. 20:2–13], bringing streams of water from the rock [Num. 10:8-10], leading them as a cloud [Ex. 13:21–22; 40:34–38,] providing manna [Ex. 16:4] and quail [Num 11:31–34].

Discussion Questions:

How did Israel respond to God’s miraculous provision? (vv. 17-20)

Despite God's miraculous provision of manna and water, Israel responded with rebellion and unbelief. They questioned whether God could truly meet all their needs, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness?" This doubt and ingratitude, even desiring to return to Egypt, highlighted their lack of faith in God's ongoing care and their thanklessness for what God had done for them.

In what ways do we sometimes mirror Israel’s rebellion in our own lives?

We often doubt God’s provision, especially in difficult situations, despite His past faithfulness. We may grumble, complain, or question whether God will meet our needs when faced with challenges, forgetting His past deliverances in our lives, becoming overwhelmed with anxiety and worry. “Will God provide for tomorrow?” Our failure to trust and obey is similar to Israel's rebellion.

What do these verses teach us about God’s grace despite our disobedience?

Despite Israel’s repeated disobedience, God remained gracious. He provided for their needs, forgave their sins, and showed compassion, remembering their weakness and frailty. This reminds us that God’s grace is greater than our failures, and His mercy is steadfast even when we fall short.

Rebellion despite Blessings

Israel repeatedly rebelled against God, even after experiencing His miraculous provision. Their lack of faith led to consequences.

God’s Compassion

Verses 38-39 show that, despite their sin, God showed mercy, remembering their human frailty.

Learning from History (Verses 40–72)

Psalm 78:40–72 (ESV)

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and grieved him in the desert!

41 They tested God again and again

and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power

or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,

43 when he performed his signs in Egypt

and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

44 He turned their rivers to blood,

so that they could not drink of their streams.

45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them,

and frogs, which destroyed them.

46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust

and the fruit of their labor to the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail

and their sycamores with frost.

48 He gave over their cattle to the hail

and their flocks to thunderbolts.

49 He let loose on them his burning anger,

wrath, indignation, and distress,

a company of destroying angels.

50 He made a path for his anger;

he did not spare them from death,

but gave their lives over to the plague.

51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt,

the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.

52 Then he led out his people like sheep

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid,

but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them to his holy land,

to the mountain which his right hand had won.

55 He drove out nations before them;

he apportioned them for a possession

and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God

and did not keep his testimonies,

57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;

they twisted like a deceitful bow.

58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places;

they moved him to jealousy with their idols.

59 When God heard, he was full of wrath,

and he utterly rejected Israel.

60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh,

the tent where he dwelt among mankind,

61 and delivered his power to captivity,

his glory to the hand of the foe.

62 He gave his people over to the sword

and vented his wrath on his heritage.

63 Fire devoured their young men,

and their young women had no marriage song.

64 Their priests fell by the sword,

and their widows made no lamentation.

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,

like a strong man shouting because of wine.

66 And he put his adversaries to rout;

he put them to everlasting shame.

67 He rejected the tent of Joseph;

he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,

Mount Zion, which he loves.

69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,

like the earth, which he has founded forever.

70 He chose David his servant

and took him from the sheepfolds;

71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him

to shepherd Jacob his people,

Israel his inheritance.

72 With upright heart he shepherded them

and guided them with his skillful hand.

This section highlights key events in Israel’s history, recounting the six of the ten plagues of Egypt [Rivers of blood #1 (Ex 7:14–24), flies #4 (Ex 8:20–32), frogs #2 (Ex. 8:1-15), locust #8 (Ex 10:1–15), hail #7 (Ex 9:13–26), and the death of the firstborn #10 (Ex 11:1–10)], the journey to the promised land, and their eventual settlement, leading to God’s choice of Judah and David to lead His people.

Man is always altering what God has ordained. Although God’s order is ever the best, yet man will never agree therewith. Limiting God, Volume 5, Sermon #272 - Psalm 78:41

Charles Spurgeon

Discussion Questions:

What role did the tribe of Ephraim play in this psalm, and what can we learn from their failure? (vv. 9, 67)

Ephraim is depicted as failing in their responsibility to remain faithful to God. Despite their position, they "turned back in the day of battle" (v. 9), showing cowardice and lack of trust in God. Their failure represents how privileged positions do not guarantee faithfulness. We learn that it is not our status or heritage, but our trust, even our faith, in God that matters.

What is the significance of God choosing Judah and David to lead His people? (vv. 68–72)

God signifies His sovereign selection of a new leader who would faithfully shepherd His people. Judah, the tribe from which David comes, becomes central to God’s plan of salvation. David’s leadership points forward to Christ, the ultimate King from the line of Judah, who will shepherd God's people perfectly.

How does God's patience throughout Israel’s history encourage us today?

God is long-suffering and merciful, even in the face of continual rebellion. This reminds us that God is patient with our failures, giving us opportunities to repent and return to Him. His faithfulness through generations assures us that He will not abandon us, even when we struggle with sin.

Key Points:

God's Faithfulness

Even though Israel repeatedly failed, God remained faithful. He did not abandon His people, but instead chose David from Judah to shepherd them.

Responsibility to Remember

God desires that His people learn from their history, turning from rebellion and trust in Him.

Application

Personal Reflection:

Reflect on your life and identify areas where you may be forgetting God's past faithfulness. Are there patterns of disobedience that you need to bring before the Lord?

Discussion:

How can we practically "remember" God’s works today?

What are ways we can pass on the lessons of God’s faithfulness to future generations in our families, churches, and communities?

Takeaway

How might I develop a habit of "remembering?"

Conclusion

Psalm 78 calls us to learn from Israel’s history and by extension, Scripture, to avoid the pattern of rebellion and forgetfulness, and to trust God. It is a reminder of God’s mercy, grace, and faithfulness despite human failure, that while we are by our fallen nature, covenant breakers, He is the covenant keeper. It can be expanded to learn not just Israel’s history, but as a call to learn all of Scripture.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” - Corrie Ten Boom. While we look back to God’s faithfulness and our corporate faithlessness, we can, in this case, trust past performance to guarantee future results. We can trust God to be faithful. So lets turn to look now at God’s faithfulness through Christ.

Looking to Christ:

Christ as the Ultimate Provision, the Good Shepherd, and the Deliverer.

Christ as the , , and

Christ as the Ultimate Provision

In the wilderness, God provided manna, but in Christ, God has provided the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35). Jesus said that the manna pointed forward to Him, and just as the Israelites needed to trust in God’s provision of manna, we are called to trust in Christ.

Christ as the Good Shepherd

Just as God raised up David to shepherd Israel, He raised up Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to lead and redeem His people. Where Israel failed repeatedly, Christ was perfectly obedient. Where Israel's kings (including David’s descendants) faltered, Christ reigns as the eternal, perfect King.

Christ as the Deliverer

The psalm reminds us of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but through Jesus, we have an even greater deliverance—from sin, death, and the powers of evil. Just as the Israelites looked back to the exodus, we look back to the cross and the resurrection, where God’s grace was fully revealed.

Closing Prayer