Psalms 78:8, commentary and pictures

Psalm 78 is a record of the rich blessings God bestowed on His people and the poor return they made for all those benefits. It describes the fathers as a stubborn and rebellious generation whose heart was not set right and whose spirit was not steadfast and faithful with God. They constantly worked against a good God, and by disobedience brought upon themselves the sure result of their own course of action. When rebuked and chastised they repented, but when tempted they fell again through self-indulgence and self-gratification and would not remain loyal to Him.

God's law, testimony, praises, strength, and mighty works are to be taught by parents to children from one generation to the next. The purpose is that the next generation will hope and trust in God, remember His works, and keep His commandments. In this way they will not repeat the fathers' stubborn rebellion but will set the heart right and remain faithful to God.

The psalm was formed into a song for Israel to sing while marching in the wilderness, keeping time and step together on the journey. This shows the demand to learn attentively from Israel's past so that failure is not repeated, and to unite, harmonize, and come into line. It therefore calls God's people to honor Him by coming into harmony with the church rather than branching out and leaning on the arm of lawyers. Leaning on lawyers is like going to inquire of the god of Ekron and greatly displeases Him, while health workers are to unite with gospel ministers and ministers and church members are no longer to block health reform or give the world a testimony of division over it.

That unfaithfulness is set forth as reproof and warning, written for admonition upon those on whom the ends of the world are come. It should be made an object of study in schools, to give youth meat in due season in reproof, warning, encouragement, and rich promises. It is worthy of earnest consideration as showing that a solemn work is before God's people, who should be far in advance of where they now stand in understanding eternal realities. They are to arouse as fishers of men to explain the truths of the Word to those who do not know them, with earnest, self-sacrificing effort for those perishing in sins. Those who sow seeds of truth will reap a rich harvest, and the good done by unselfish effort is beyond human estimate.

Hearts must be set right and spirits made steadfast with God, because in times of religious crisis, trial, temptation, and adversity those whose spirits are not steadfast are exposed. Adversity then removes many who had joined the church in prosperity.