Psalms 78:1-20

78:1

well-written song <04905> [A.M. 3074. B.C. 930. (Title.) Maschil. or, A Psalm for]

Asaph, to give instruction.

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 15:1-16:14

[See on Ps.]

78:2

sing ......... make <06605 05042> [I will.]

insightful observations <02420> [dark sayings.]

78:3

78:4

hide <03582> [We will.]

tell <05608> [shewing.]

praiseworthy acts <08416> [praises.]

78:5

established <06965> [For he.]

rule <05715> [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.

known <03045> [that they.]

78:6

generation <01755> [That.]

grow up <06965> [who.]

78:7

Then .... place <07760> [set.]

forget <07911> [not forget.]

<05341> [keep.]

78:8

ancestors <01> [as their.]

committed <03559 03820> [set not. Heb. prepared not.]

<07307> [whose.]

78:9

Ephraimites <01121> [The children.]

Some think this refers to a defeat of the Ephraimites mentioned in 1 Ch 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.

armed <07411> [carrying. Heb. throwing forth. turned.]

78:10

78:11

78:12

amazing <06382> [Marvellous.]

Zoan <06814> [Zoan.]

Zoan, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs, where Moses wrought so many miracles, is rendered by the Chaldee, {Tanium,} LXX. [Tanis,] Vulgate, {Tanis,} and Coptic, {Tan‚,} 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.

78:13

divided <01234> [He divided.]

water <04325> [made.]

78:14

78:15

78:16

78:17

78:18

asking ... food <07592 0400> [by asking meat.]

78:19

insulted <01696> [Yea.]

God ... able <03201 0410> [Can God.]

give <06186> [furnish. Heb. order.]

78:20

struck <05221> [he smote.]

can .... give <03201 05414> [can he give.]