54 He brought them to the border of his sanctuary,
to this mountain, which his right hand had taken. 55 He also drove out the nations before them,
allotted them for an inheritance by line,
and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God,
and didn’t keep 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 engraved images. 59 When God heard this, he was angry,
and greatly abhorred Israel; 60 So that he forsook the tent of Shiloh,
the tent which he placed among men; 61 and delivered his strength into captivity,
his glory into the adversary’s hand. 62 He also gave his people over to the sword,
and was angry with his inheritance. 63 Fire devoured their young men.
Their virgins had no wedding song. 64 Their priests fell by the sword,
and their widows couldn’t weep. 65 Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep,
like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine. 66 He struck his adversaries backward.
He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph,
and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 But chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion which he loved. 69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth which he has established forever. 70 He also chose David 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 skillfulness of his hands.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:54-72
Commentary on Psalm 78:40-55.
(Read Psalm 78:40-55.)
Let not those that receive mercy from God, be thereby made bold to sin, for the mercies they receive will hasten its punishment; yet let not those who are under Divine rebukes for sin, be discouraged from repentance. The Holy One of Israel will do what is most for his own glory, and what is most for their good. Their forgetting former favours, led them to limit God for the future. God made his own people to go forth like sheep; and guided them in the wilderness, as a shepherd his flock, with all care and tenderness. Thus the true Joshua, even Jesus, brings his church out of the wilderness; but no earthly Canaan, no worldly advantages, should make us forget that the church is in the wilderness while in this world, and that there remaineth a far more glorious rest for the people of God.
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.