56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, And kept not his testimonies; 57 But turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers: They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, And moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 59 When God heard [this], he was wroth, And greatly abhorred Israel; 60 So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, The tent which he placed among men; 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, And his glory into the adversary's hand. 62 He gave his people over also unto the sword, And was wroth with his inheritance. 63 Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song. 64 Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation. 65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. 66 And he smote his adversaries backward: He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he refused the tent of Joseph, And chose not the tribe of Ephraim, 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, The mount Zion which he loved. 69 And he built his sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which he hath established for ever. 70 He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes that have their young he brought him, To be the shepherd of Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:56-72
Commentary on Psalm 78:56-72
(Read Psalm 78:56-72)
After the Israelites were settled in Canaan, the children were like their fathers. God gave them his testimonies, but they turned back. Presumptuous sins render even Israelites hateful to God's holiness, and exposed to his justice. Those whom the Lord forsakes become an easy prey to the destroyer. And sooner or later, God will disgrace his enemies. He set a good government over his people; a monarch after his own heart. With good reason does the psalmist make this finishing, crowning instance of God's favour to Israel; for David was a type of Christ, the great and good Shepherd, who was humbled first, and then exalted; and of whom it was foretold, that he should be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. On the uprightness of his heart, and the skilfulness of his hands, all his subjects may rely; and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Every trial of human nature hitherto, confirms the testimony of Scripture, that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and nothing but being created anew by the Holy Ghost can cure the ungodliness of any.