1 An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9 The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67 The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.

A.M. 3074, B.C. 930. Maschil or, A Psalm for Asaph, to give instruction. Ps 74:1

This Psalm was probably written, as Calmet and others suppose, by Asaph in the days of Asa, who had gained, by the aid of the Syrians, a great victory over the Israelites, and brought back to the pure worship of God many out of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon. 2Ch 15:1 16:1

Ps 49:1-3 51:4 Jud 5:3 Pr 8:4-6 Isa 51:4 55:3 Mt 13:9

2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

I will Ps 49:4 Mt 13:13,34,35

dark sayings Pr 1:6 Mt 13:11-13 Mr 4:34

3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Ps 44:1 48:8 Ex 12:26,27 13:8,14,15

4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

we will Ps 145:4-6 De 4:9 6:7 Joe 1:3

shewing Ps 71:18 De 11:19 Jos 4:6,7,21-24

praises Ps 9:14 10:1-5 145:5,6 Isa 63:7

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

for he Ps 81:5 119:152 147:19 De 4:45 6:7 11:19 Isa 8:20 Ro 3:2 1Jo 5:9-12

testimony. The word testimony is used for the ark, and for the law, written on tables of stone, put within the ark, and covered with the mercy seat. This testified the Lord's gracious presence with his people, and seemed to point out to them both the way of access and acceptance, and the standard or rule of their duty. Ex 25:16,21 40:3,20

that they Ps 78:3,4 Ge 18:19 Isa 38:19 Eph 6:4

6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

that Ps 48:13 71:18 102:18 145:4 Es 9:28

who Ps 90:16 De 4:10 Jos 22:24,25 Joe 1:3

7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

set Ps 40:4 62:5 91:14 130:6,7 146:5 Jer 17:7,8 1Pe 1:21

not forget Ps 77:10-12 103:2 105:5 Ex 12:24-27 De 4:9 7:18,19 8:2,11 Es 9:27,28 1Co 11:24

keep De 5:29 Joh 14:21-24 1Jo 3:22-24 5:3 Re 14:12

8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

as their Ps 68:6 106:7 Ex 32:9 33:3,5 34:9 De 9:6,13 31:27 2Ki 17:14 Eze 2:3-8 20:8,18 Mt 23:31-33 Ac 7:51

set not. Heb. prepared not Ps 78:37 2Ch 12:14 19:3 20:33 30:19

whose Ps 78:37 De 4:4 Jos 14:8,9 Ac 11:23

9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

the children. Some think this refers to a defeat of the Ephraimites mentioned in 1ch 7:20-22; but it probably refers to the conduct and defeat of the ten tribes of which Ephraim was the head. Nothing is recorded in the history of Israel concerning the cowardice of the Ephraimites, as distinct from that of the other tribes: some therefore think, that the children of Ephraim is put by a figure of speech for the nation in general. De 1:41-44 Jos 17:16-18 1Sa 4:10 31:1

carrying. Heb. throwing forth.
turned Jud 9:28,38-40 Lu 22:33

10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

De 31:16,20 Jud 2:10-12 2Ki 17:14,15 Ne 9:26-29 Jer 31:32

11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

Ps 78:7 106:13,21,22 De 32:18 Jer 2:32

12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

marvellous Ps 78:42-50 105:27-38 135:9 Ex 7:1 8:1 9:1 10:1 11:1 12:1 De 4:34 6:22 Ne 9:10

Zoan. Zoan, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs, where Moses wrought so many miracles, is rendered by the Chaldee, Tanium, LXX. Tavie Vulgate, Tanis, and Coptic, Tane from the Coptic, ten, plain, flat, level; being situated in the low ground of the Delta, on one of the eastern branches of the Nile, bearing its own name, near a large lake, now called the lake of Menzala, 44 miles west of Pelusium, and 169 miles east of Alexandria, according to the Antonine Itinerary, and three miles from the Mediterranean, according to the Geograph. Nubiens. Clim.3, par.3 There are ruins still remaining to mark the site of Zoan, or Tanis, called San by the Arabs; comprising broken obelisks, capitals of the Corinthian order, a granite monument, etc. Ps 78:43 Ge 32:3 Nu 13:22 Isa 19:11,13 Eze 30:14

13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

he divided Ps 66:6 106:9,10 136:13-15 Ex 14:1 15:1 Isa 63:13 1Co 10:2,3

made Ps 38:7 Jos 3:16 Hab 3:15

14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.

Ps 105:39 Ex 13:21,22 14:24 40:35-38 Ne 9:12,19

15 He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

Ps 105:41 114:8 Ex 17:6 Nu 20:11 Isa 41:18 43:20 Joh 7:37,38 1Co 10:4 Re 22:1,17

16 He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Ps 105:41 De 8:15 9:21

17 And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

Ps 78:32 95:8-10 106:13-32 De 9:8,12-22 Heb 3:16-19

18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

by asking meat Ps 106:14,15 Ex 16:2,3 Nu 11:4 1Co 10:6 Jas 4:2,3

19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

yea Ex 16:8-10 Nu 21:5 2Ch 32:19 Job 34:37 Ro 9:20 Re 13:6

Can God Nu 11:4,13

furnish. Heb. order

20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

he smote Ex 17:6,7 Nu 20:11

can he give Ps 78:41 Ge 18:12-14 Nu 11:21-23

21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

the Lord Ps 78:31 Nu 11:10 1Co 10:5,11 Jude 1:5

a fire Nu 11:1-3 De 32:22 Heb 12:29

22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

Ps 106:24 Isa 7:9 Heb 3:12,18,19 11:6 1Jo 5:10 Jude 1:5

23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

though Ps 33:9 Isa 5:6

opened Ge 7:11 2Ki 7:2,19 Mal 3:10

24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

had rained Ps 68:9 105:40 Ex 16:4,14 De 8:3 Ne 9:15,20 Joh 6:31 1Co 10:3

the corn of heaven. The manna fell about their camp in the form of seeds; and as it appeared to come down from the clouds, it was not improperly termed degan shamayim, the corn of heaven or heavenly grain. Ex 16:22,31

25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

man, etc. or, Every one did eat the bread of the mighty. Lechem abbeerim, bread of the mighty: - they ate such food as could only be expected at the tables of the rich and great; - the best, the most delicate food. Or, it might be so called because it rendered the people healthy and vigorous, and fit for their marches. Ps 103:20

he sent Ex 16:8 Mt 14:20 15:37

26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

he caused Ps 135:7 Nu 11:31

blow. Heb. go

27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

he rained Ex 16:12,13 Nu 11:18,19,32

feathered fowls. Heb. fowl of wing

28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

no reference

29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

for he gave Ps 106:15 Nu 11:20

30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

but Nu 11:33,34 22:20-22 Pr 1:32 Lu 16:19-23

31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

smote down. Heb. made to bow
chosen men. or, young men.

32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

they sinned Nu 14:1 16:1 17:1 21:1-6 25:1 Eze 20:13

believed Ps 78:22 Lu 16:31 Joh 12:37

33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

days Ps 90:7-9 Nu 14:29,35 26:64,65 De 2:14-16

years Ge 3:16-19 Job 5:6,7 14:1 Ec 1:2,13,14 12:8,13,14

34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Nu 21:7 Jud 3:8,9,12-15 4:3 10:7-10 Isa 26:6 Jer 22:23 Ho 5:15 7:14

35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

remembered Ps 78:7,11,42 106:13,21

God was De 32:4,15,30,31

the high. Ail elyon godlom, the strong God, the Most High, their redeemer, or kinsman: that one who possessed the right of redemption; the nearest akin to him who had forfeited his inheritance, as the word originally means; and hence is used for a redeemer; and here denotes Him who redeemed them from Egyptian bondage.

upon their redeemer Ex 6:6 15:13 De 7:8 15:15 Isa 41:14 44:6 48:17 63:8,9 Tit 2:14

36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

nevertheless Ps 106:12,13 De 5:28,29 Isa 29:13 Eze 33:31 Ho 11:12

lied Ps 18:44

37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

their heart Ps 119:80 Ho 7:14,16 10:2 Ac 8:21

stedfast Ps 78:8 44:17,18 De 31:20 Ho 8:1

38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

but he Ps 106:43-45 Ex 34:6-9 Nu 14:18-20 16:44-48 Isa 44:21,22

many Isa 48:9 Eze 20:8,9,13,14,17,21,22

did not 2Ki 21:20

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

for he Ps 103:14-16 Ge 6:3 Joh 3:6

a wind. Or, as the Hebrew rooach holaich welo yashoov may be rendered, the spirit goeth away and returneth not again. To this purpose the Arabic, He remembered that they were flesh; and a spirit which when it departs returneth not again. The human being is composed of flesh and spirit, or body and soul: these are easily separated, and when separated, the body turns to dust, and the spirit returns no more to animate the body in a state of probation. Job 7:7,16 Jas 4:14

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

how oft Ps 78:17 95:8-10 106:14-33 Nu 14:11 De 9:21,22

provoke him. or, rebel against him.
grieve Isa 7:13 63:10 Eph 4:30 Heb 3:15-17

41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

year Nu 14:4,22 De 6:16 Ac 7:39 Heb 3:8-11 2Pe 2:21,22

limited Ps 78:19,20 Mr 5:35,36

42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

remember Ps 78:11,21,22 136:10-15 Ex 13:9 Isa 11:11 Jer 32:21

the day Ps 106:7-10 Ex 14:12,30,31

the enemy. or, affliction

43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan.

how Ps 105:27-38 135:9 Ex 3:19,20 De 4:34 6:22 Ne 9:10

wrought. Heb. set.
wonders Ps 78:12

44 And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.

Ps 105:29 Ex 7:17-21 Re 16:3-6

The miracles mentioned in this and the four subsequent verses, evidently shew the power of God over the elements of nature, which at that time were the objects of Egyptian worship.

45 He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

sent Ps 105:31 Ex 8:21-24

frogs Ps 105:30 Ex 8:2-15 Re 16:3

46 He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

gave also Ps 105:34,35 Ex 10:12-15 Joe 1:4-7 2:25 Am 7:1,2 Re 9:2-11

the caterpillar - from chosal, to consume, eat up, is rendered in 2ch 6:28 and Aquila here, and also the Vulgate in Chron, and is 33:4 and Jerome here, bruchus, the chaffer, which every one knows to be a great devourer of the leaves of trees. The syriac in Joel 1:4 2:25 renders it tzartzooro, which Michaelis, from the Arabic Tzartzar, a cricket, interprets the mole-cricket, which in its grub state is also very destructive to corn, grass, and other vegetables, by cankering the roots on which it feeds.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

destroyed. or, killed, with hail Ps 105:32,33 Ex 9:18-34

sycamore. From the value of the sycamore in furnishing wood for various uses, from the grateful shade which its wide spreading branches afforded, and on account of the fruit, which Mr. Maillet says the Egyptians hold in the highest estimation, we may conceive somewhat of the loss they sustained when their vines were destroyed with hail; and their sycamore trees with frost. 1Ch 27:28

frost. or, great hailstones.

48 He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.

gave up. Heb. shut up
hot thunderbolts. or, lightnings Ex 9:28

49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

cast Ps 11:6 Job 20:23 Isa 42:25 La 4:11 Zep 3:8 Ro 2:8,9

by sending 1Ki 22:21,22 Job 1:12 2:6,7

50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

made away. Heb. weighed a path
he spared Job 27:22 Eze 5:11 7:4,9 8:18 9:10 Ro 8:32 2Pe 2:4,5

life over to the pestilence. or, beasts to the murrain Ex 9:3-6

51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

smote Ps 105:36 135:8 136:10 Ex 12:12,29,30 13:15 Heb 11:28

the chief Ge 49:3

tabernacles Ps 105:23 106:22 Ge 9:22-25 10:6

52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

but Ps 77:20 105:37 Ne 9:12 Isa 63:11-14

like a Ps 95:7 100:3 Isa 40:11 Jer 23:2-5 Eze 34:11 Lu 15:4-6 Joh 10:11

53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

so that Ex 14:15,19,20 Heb 11:29

but Ps 136:15 Ex 14:27,28 15:10

overwhelmed. Heb. covered

54 And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.

and he Ex 15:13,17 Da 9:16-20 11:45

his right Ps 44:3 Eph 1:14

55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

cost Ps 44:2 105:44,45 135:10-12 136:18-22 Jos 6:1 7:1 8:1 9:1 10:1 11:1 12:1 13:1 14:1 15:1 16:1 17:1 18:1 19:1 20:1 21:1 Ne 9:22-25

divided Nu 33:54 Jos 13:7 19:51

and made De 6:10-12

56 Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:

Ps 78:40,41 De 31:16-20 32:15-21 Jud 2:11,12 2Ki 17:7 Ne 9:25,26 Eze 16:15-26

57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

but Ps 78:41 Jud 3:5-7,12 Eze 20:27,28

they were Ps 78:8,10-37 Ho 7:16

58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

their high Le 26:30 Nu 33:52 De 12:2,4 Eze 20:28,29

moved Ps 79:5 Ex 34:14 De 32:16,17,21 Jud 2:12,20 Eze 8:3-5 1Co 10:22

with Ps 97:7 Ex 20:4,5 De 4:16-25 27:15 Jud 2:11,17 10:6 1Ki 11:7,10 12:31 Jer 8:19 Ho 13:2

59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:

God Ps 11:4 14:2-5 Ge 18:20,21

greatly Ps 106:40 Le 20:23 26:44 La 2:7 Zec 11:8

60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men;

Jos 18:1 1Sa 1:3 4:4-11 Jer 7:12-14 26:6-9

61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

his strength. That is, the ark, where his power and glory were displayed. Ps 132:8 Jud 18:30 1Sa 5:1,2 2Ch 6:41

glory Ps 24:7 Ex 40:34 1Sa 4:21,22

62 He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.

gave 1Sa 4:2,10,11

wrought Ps 89:38 Isa 64:9

63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

fire Ps 78:21 De 29:20 32:22

maidens Isa 4:1 Jer 7:34 16:9 25:10

given to marriage. Heb. praised

64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.

priests 1Sa 2:33,34 4:11,17 22:18,19

widows 1Sa 4:19,20 Job 27:15 Eze 24:23

65 Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

then Ps 7:6 44:23 Isa 51:9

and like Isa 42:13,14

66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.

and he 1Sa 5:6 6:4 Job 40:12

he put Jer 23:40

67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

1Sa 6:21 7:1 2Sa 6:2,17

68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

chose Ge 49:8-10 Ru 4:17-22 1Sa 16:1 2Ch 6:6

mount Ps 87:2 132:12-14

69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

and he 1Ki 6:2 9:8 2Ch 3:4

high 1Ch 29:1,19 2Ch 2:9

earth Ps 102:25 104:5 119:90,91 1Sa 2:8 Job 26:7 Isa 48:13 51:6 Col 1:16,17 Re 20:11

established. Heb. founded.

70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

chose Ps 89:19,20 1Sa 16:11,12 2Sa 3:18 6:21 Ac 13:22

and took Ex 3:1,10 1Sa 17:15 2Sa 7:8 1Ki 19:19,20 Am 7:14,15 Mt 4:18-22

71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

from following. Heb. from after.
ewes Ge 33:13 Isa 40:11

brought Ps 75:6,7 113:7,8 1Sa 2:7,8 Jer 27:5,6

feed 2Sa 5:2 1Ch 11:2 Eze 34:23,24 Mic 5:2-5 Zec 11:4 Mt 2:6 Joh 21:15-17 1Pe 5:2

72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

according Ps 75:2 101:1-8 2Sa 8:15 1Ki 9:4 15:5 Isa 11:2-4 Ac 13:22,36

guided 1Ki 3:6-9,28 Zec 11:15-17 2Co 3:5,6 2Ti 2:15 Jas 1:5