Hear My Teaching, My People

72 versesHistorical and WisdomThe heading attributes it to Asaph and calls it a contemplation

Psalm 78 summary: what it means

Psalm 78 is a history lesson set as a poem. It opens as teaching: the writer will tell what the fathers passed down, so the next generation will set their hope in God and not repeat their fathers' stubbornness. It then retells Israel's story, the sea split, water from the rock, manna and meat in the wilderness, and keeps returning to one pattern: God acts, and the people forget and rebel.

The psalm is honest about both sides. God is angry and punishes, yet he is merciful, forgives, and remembers that people are only flesh. The plagues in Egypt and the settling of the land lead to more rebellion and the loss of the tent of Shiloh. The psalm ends with God choosing Judah, Mount Zion and David, who shepherds the people with integrity and skill.

Psalm 78: Hear My Teaching, My People

World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-78

Psalm 78 commentary: explained verse by verse

Hear my teaching, my people.Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.

The psalm opens like a teacher calling a class to order. My people are told to hear my teaching and turn their ears to what follows. It sets up the whole psalm as instruction, not only song.

Also read Isaiah 51:4, 2 Chronicles 15:1-16, Isaiah 55:3, Psalm 51:4

I will open my mouth in a parable.I will utter dark sayings of old,

Also read Proverbs 1:6, Matthew 13:11-13, Psalm 49:4, Matthew 13:34-35

which we have heard and known,and our fathers have told us.

Also read Psalm 44:1, Exodus 13:8, Psalm 48:8, Exodus 13:14-15

We will not hide them from their children,telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.

Also read Exodus 12:26, Psalm 71:17-18, Psalm 145:4-6, Exodus 13:14

For he established a covenant in Jacob,and appointed a teaching in Israel,which he commanded our fathers,that they should make them known to their children;

Also read Psalm 19:7, 1 John 5:9-12, Isaiah 8:20, Psalm 119:152

that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born;who should arise and tell their children,

Also read Psalm 145:4, Psalm 102:18, Psalm 48:13, Psalm 90:16

that they might set their hope in God,and not forget God’s deeds,but keep his commandments,

Also read Esther 9:27-28, Psalm 91:14, Deuteronomy 8:2, 1 Corinthians 11:24

and might not be as their fathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation,a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal,whose spirit was not steadfast with God.

The purpose of the lesson is spelled out: that the children would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation whose hearts were not loyal. The history that follows is told as a warning.

Also read Deuteronomy 4:4, Matthew 23:31-33, Exodus 32:9, Psalm 68:6

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

Also read Luke 22:33, Judges 9:28, 1 Chronicles 12:2, 1 Samuel 4:10

They didn’t keep God’s covenant,and refused to walk in his law.

Also read Deuteronomy 31:16, Deuteronomy 31:20, Jeremiah 31:32, 2 Kings 17:14-15

They forgot his doings,his wondrous deeds that he had shown them.

Also read Psalm 106:13, Psalm 106:21-22, Deuteronomy 32:18, Jeremiah 2:32

He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers,in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Also read Psalm 106:22, Psalm 105:27-38, Numbers 13:22, Nehemiah 9:10

He split the sea, and caused them to pass through.He made the waters stand as a heap.

Also read Psalm 66:6, Psalm 38:7, Habakkuk 3:15, Joshua 3:16

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

Also read Exodus 13:21-22, Psalm 105:39, Nehemiah 9:19, Nehemiah 9:12

He split rocks in the wilderness,and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

Also read Psalm 105:41, Exodus 17:6, John 7:37-38, Isaiah 43:20

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

Also read Deuteronomy 8:15, Numbers 20:10-11, Deuteronomy 9:21, Numbers 20:8

Yet they still went on to sin against him,to rebel against the Most High in the desert.

Also read Deuteronomy 9:12-22, Hebrews 3:16-19, Psalm 95:8-10, Psalm 78:32

They tempted God in their heartby asking food according to their desire.

Also read 1 Corinthians 10:9, Numbers 11:4, Deuteronomy 6:16, James 4:2-3

Yes, they spoke against God.They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

The people speak against God and ask whether he can prepare a table in the wilderness. The question is doubt, not curiosity. Verse 20 shows they had already seen water from the rock and still asked.

Also read Exodus 16:8-10, Revelation 13:6, Job 34:37, Numbers 11:4

Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out,and streams overflowed.Can he give bread also?Will he provide meat for his people?”

Also read Genesis 18:12-14, Psalm 78:41, Exodus 17:6-7, Numbers 11:21-23

Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry.A fire was kindled against Jacob,anger also went up against Israel,

Also read Numbers 11:10, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Jude 1:5, Deuteronomy 32:22

because they didn’t believe in God,and didn’t trust in his salvation.

Also read Psalm 106:24, Hebrews 3:12, 1 John 5:10, Isaiah 7:9

Yet he commanded the skies above,and opened the doors of heaven.

Even after that doubt, God commanded the skies and opened the doors of heaven. The verse pictures food being released from above. God answers complaint with provision.

Also read Psalm 33:9, 2 Kings 7:19, Isaiah 5:6, Malachi 3:10

He rained down manna on them to eat,and gave them food from the sky.

Also read John 6:31-71, Exodus 16:4, 1 Corinthians 10:3, Exodus 16:14

Man ate the bread of angels.He sent them food to the full.

People ate the bread of angels, and God sent them food to the full. The manna is described as food from heaven, given in plenty. The verses that follow show that plenty did not change their hearts.

Also read Psalm 103:20, Matthew 14:20, Exodus 16:8, Matthew 15:37

He caused the east wind to blow in the sky.By his power he guided the south wind.

A prayer from Psalm 78

LORD, let me hear your teaching and not forget your deeds. Let me tell the generation to come of your strength and your wondrous works, so that they may set their hope in you. You split the sea and led your people with a cloud by day and a light of fire by night. You brought streams out of the rock and rained down food from the sky. When your people forgot you, you were merciful. You forgave iniquity and remembered that we are but flesh, a wind that passes away. Make my heart loyal and my spirit steadfast with you. Lead me like one of your flock. Amen.

Psalm 78 Bible study questions

According to verses 4 to 7, why are these stories to be passed on to children?
In verses 19 and 20, what questions do the people ask about God in the wilderness?
Verse 39 says God remembered that they were but flesh; how does that line affect the way you read the rest of the psalm?
The psalm repeats a pattern of forgetting and rebelling; what helps a person or a community remember what matters?
Psalm 105:39 to 41 also recalls the cloud, the fire and the water from the rock; how does its tone compare with Psalm 78:14 to 16?

Questions about Psalm 78

What is the summary of Psalm 78?

Psalm 78 retells Israel's history from Egypt through the wilderness, the plagues, the land and the loss of Shiloh, showing a repeated pattern of God's help and the people's rebellion. It ends with God choosing Judah, Mount Zion and David.

Who wrote Psalm 78?

The heading attributes it to Asaph and calls it a contemplation.

What does Psalm 78:72 mean?

It says David shepherded the people according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. It closes the psalm with a picture of faithful leadership.

What does Psalm 78:41 mean?

It says the people turned again, tempted God and provoked the Holy One of Israel. It is part of the psalm's repeated account of rebellion in the wilderness.

What does Psalm 78:38-39 mean?

Verse 38 says God, being merciful, forgave their iniquity and often turned his anger away. Verse 39 gives a reason: he remembered they were only flesh, a wind that passes away.

Why was Psalm 78 written?

The psalm gives its own reason in verses 4 to 8: to tell the generation to come what God has done, so they will set their hope in him and not be stubborn like their fathers.

Psalm 78 KJV: the King James Version

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.1

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

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

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.4

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:5

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

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

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.8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.38

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.55

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 78 in Hebrew

The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.

Show the text

1 מַשְׂכִּ֗יל לְאָ֫סָ֥ף הַאֲזִ֣ינָה עַ֭מִּי תּוֹרָתִ֑י הַטּ֥וּ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃

2 אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃

3 אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁ֭מַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵ֑ם וַ֝אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָֽנוּ׃

4 לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃

5 וַיָּ֤קֶם עֵד֨וּת ׀ בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב וְתוֹרָה֮ שָׂ֤ם בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִ֭וָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃

6 לְמַ֤עַן יֵדְע֨וּ ׀ דּ֣וֹר אַ֭חֲרוֹן בָּנִ֣ים יִוָּלֵ֑דוּ יָ֝קֻ֗מוּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃

7 וְיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים כִּ֫סְלָ֥ם וְלֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵ֑ל וּמִצְוֺתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃

8 וְלֹ֤א יִהְי֨וּ ׀ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם דּוֹר֮ סוֹרֵ֪ר וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה דּ֭וֹר לֹא־הֵכִ֣ין לִבּ֑וֹ וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה אֶת־אֵ֣ל רוּחֽוֹ׃

9 בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃

10 לֹ֣א שָׁ֭מְרוּ בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים וּ֝בְתוֹרָת֗וֹ מֵאֲנ֥וּ לָלֶֽכֶת׃

11 וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃

12 נֶ֣גֶד אֲ֭בוֹתָם עָ֣שָׂה פֶ֑לֶא בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מִצְרַ֣יִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃

13 בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם וַיַּֽעֲבִירֵ֑ם וַֽיַּצֶּב־מַ֥יִם כְּמוֹ־נֵֽד׃

14 וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם בֶּעָנָ֣ן יוֹמָ֑ם וְכָל־הַ֝לַּ֗יְלָה בְּא֣וֹר אֵֽשׁ׃

15 יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה׃

16 וַיּוֹצִ֣א נוֹזְלִ֣ים מִסָּ֑לַע וַיּ֖וֹרֶד כַּנְּהָר֣וֹת מָֽיִם׃

17 וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ ע֭וֹד לַחֲטֹא־ל֑וֹ לַֽמְר֥וֹת עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן בַּצִּיָּֽה׃

18 וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵ֥ל בִּלְבָבָ֑ם לִֽשְׁאָל־אֹ֥כֶל לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃

19 וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים אָ֭מְרוּ הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

20 הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀ וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮ וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם י֣וּכַל תֵּ֑ת אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃

21 לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב וְגַם־אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

22 כִּ֤י לֹ֣א הֶ֭אֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִ֑ים וְלֹ֥א בָ֝טְח֗וּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃

23 וַיְצַ֣ו שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל וְדַלְתֵ֖י שָׁמַ֣יִם פָּתָֽח׃

24 וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מָ֣ן לֶאֱכֹ֑ל וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃

25 לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים אָ֣כַל אִ֑ישׁ צֵידָ֬ה שָׁלַ֖ח לָהֶ֣ם לָשֹֽׂבַע׃

26 יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃

27 וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּעָפָ֣ר שְׁאֵ֑ר וּֽכְח֥וֹל יַ֝מִּ֗ים ע֣וֹף כָּנָֽף׃

28 וַ֭יַּפֵּל בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ סָ֝בִ֗יב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃

29 וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם יָבִ֥א לָהֶֽם׃

30 לֹא־זָר֥וּ מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם ע֝֗וֹד אָכְלָ֥ם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃

31 וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם וּבַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ׃

32 בְּכָל־זֹ֭את חָֽטְאוּ־ע֑וֹד וְלֹֽא־הֶ֝אֱמִ֗ינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃

33 וַיְכַל־בַּהֶ֥בֶל יְמֵיהֶ֑ם וּ֝שְׁנוֹתָ֗ם בַּבֶּהָלָֽה׃

34 אִם־הֲרָגָ֥ם וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־אֵֽל׃

35 וַֽ֭יִּזְכְּרוּ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים צוּרָ֑ם וְאֵ֥ל עֶ֝לְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָֽם׃

36 וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם וּ֝בִלְשׁוֹנָ֗ם יְכַזְּבוּ־לֽוֹ׃

37 וְ֭לִבָּם לֹא־נָכ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃

38 וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ׃

39 וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃

40 כַּ֭מָּה יַמְר֣וּהוּ בַמִּדְבָּ֑ר יַ֝עֲצִיב֗וּהוּ בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃

41 וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ וַיְנַסּ֣וּ אֵ֑ל וּקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִתְווּ׃

42 לֹא־זָכְר֥וּ אֶת־יָד֑וֹ י֝֗וֹם אֲֽשֶׁר־פָּדָ֥ם מִנִּי־צָֽר׃

43 אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם בְּ֭מִצְרַיִם אֹֽתוֹתָ֑יו וּ֝מוֹפְתָ֗יו בִּשְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן ׃

44 וַיַּהֲפֹ֣ךְ לְ֭דָם יְאֹרֵיהֶ֑ם וְ֝נֹזְלֵיהֶ֗ם בַּל־יִשְׁתָּיֽוּן׃

45 יְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃

46 וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לֶחָסִ֣יל יְבוּלָ֑ם וִֽ֝יגִיעָ֗ם לָאַרְבֶּֽה׃

47 יַהֲרֹ֣ג בַּבָּרָ֣ד גַּפְנָ֑ם וְ֝שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗ם בַּֽחֲנָמַֽל׃

48 וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַבָּרָ֣ד בְּעִירָ֑ם וּ֝מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם לָרְשָׁפִֽים׃

49 יְשַׁלַּח־בָּ֨ם ׀ חֲר֬וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ עֶבְרָ֣ה וָזַ֣עַם וְצָרָ֑ה מִ֝שְׁלַ֗חַת מַלְאֲכֵ֥י רָעִֽים׃

50 יְפַלֵּ֥ס נָתִ֗יב לְאַ֫פּ֥וֹ לֹא־חָשַׂ֣ךְ מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם לַדֶּ֥בֶר הִסְגִּֽיר׃

51 וַיַּ֣ךְ כָּל־בְּכ֣וֹר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם רֵאשִׁ֥ית א֝וֹנִ֗ים בְּאָהֳלֵי־חָֽם׃

52 וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

53 וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ וְאֶת־א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃

54 וַ֭יְבִיאֵם אֶל־גְּב֣וּל קָדְשׁ֑וֹ הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֽוֹ׃

55 וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ גּוֹיִ֗ם וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם בְּחֶ֣בֶל נַחֲלָ֑ה וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ן בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

56 וַיְנַסּ֣וּ וַ֭יַּמְרוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִ֣ים עֶלְי֑וֹן וְ֝עֵדוֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃

57 וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ כְּקֶ֣שֶׁת רְמִיָּֽה׃

58 וַיַּכְעִיס֥וּהוּ בְּבָמוֹתָ֑ם וּ֝בִפְסִילֵיהֶ֗ם יַקְנִיאֽוּהוּ׃

59 שָׁמַ֣ע אֱ֭לֹהִים וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֑ר וַיִּמְאַ֥ס מְ֝אֹ֗ד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

60 וַ֭יִּטֹּשׁ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן שִׁל֑וֹ אֹ֝֗הֶל שִׁכֵּ֥ן בָּאָדָֽם׃

61 וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לַשְּׁבִ֣י עֻזּ֑וֹ וְֽתִפְאַרְתּ֥וֹ בְיַד־צָֽר׃

62 וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַחֶ֣רֶב עַמּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְנַחֲלָת֗וֹ הִתְעַבָּֽר׃

63 בַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־אֵ֑שׁ וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃

64 כֹּ֭הֲנָיו בַּחֶ֣רֶב נָפָ֑לוּ וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִבְכֶּֽינָה׃

65 וַיִּקַ֖ץ כְּיָשֵׁ֥ן ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר מִתְרוֹנֵ֥ן מִיָּֽיִן׃

66 וַיַּךְ־צָרָ֥יו אָח֑וֹר חֶרְפַּ֥ת ע֝וֹלָ֗ם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃

67 וַ֭יִּמְאַס בְּאֹ֣הֶל יוֹסֵ֑ף וּֽבְשֵׁ֥בֶט אֶ֝פְרַ֗יִם לֹ֣א בָחָֽר׃

68 וַ֭יִּבְחַר אֶת־שֵׁ֣בֶט יְהוּדָ֑ה אֶֽת־הַ֥ר צִ֝יּ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהֵֽב׃

69 וַיִּ֣בֶן כְּמוֹ־רָ֭מִים מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ יְסָדָ֥הּ לְעוֹלָֽם׃

70 וַ֭יִּבְחַר בְּדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃

71 מֵאַחַ֥ר עָל֗וֹת הֱ֫בִיא֥וֹ לִ֭רְעוֹת בְּיַעֲקֹ֣ב עַמּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃

72 וַ֭יִּרְעֵם כְּתֹ֣ם לְבָב֑וֹ וּבִתְבוּנ֖וֹת כַּפָּ֣יו יַנְחֵֽם׃

Psalm 78 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible

The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 77 there.

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1 Understanding for Asaph. Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning.

3 How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4 They have not been hidden from their children, in another generation. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and his powers, and his wonders which he hath done.

5 And he set up a testimony in Jacob: and made a law in Israel. How great things he commanded our fathers, that they should make the same known to their children:

6 That another generation might know them. The children that should be born and should rise up, and declare them to their children.

7 That they may put their hope in God and may not forget the works of God: and may seek his commandments.

8 That they may not become like their fathers, a perverse and exasperating generation. A generation that set not their heart aright: and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9 The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle.

10 They kept not the covenant of God: and in his law they would not walk.

11 And they forgot his benefits, and his wonders that he had shewn them.

12 Wonderful things did he do in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.

13 He divided the sea and brought them through: and he made the waters to stand as in a vessel.

14 And he conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of fire.

15 He struck the rock in the wilderness: and gave them to drink, as out of the great deep.

16 He brought forth water out of the rock: and made streams run down as rivers.

17 And they added yet more sin against him: they provoked the most High to wrath in the place without water.

18 And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.

19 And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20 Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?

21 Therefore the Lord heard, and was angry: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel.

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

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

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

25 Man ate the bread of angels: he sent them provisions in abundance.

26 He removed the south wind from heaven: and by his power brought in the southwest wind.

27 And he rained upon them flesh as dust: and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.

28 And they fell in the midst of their camp, round about their pavilions.

29 So they did eat, and were filled exceedingly, and he gave them their desire:

30 They were not defrauded of that which they craved. As yet their meat was in their mouth:

31 And the wrath of God came upon them. And he slew the fat ones amongst them, and brought down the chosen men of Israel.

32 In all these things they sinned still: and they believed not for his wondrous works.

33 And their days were consumed in vanity, and their years in haste.

34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.

35 And they remembered that God was their helper: and the most high God their redeemer.

36 And they loved him with their mouth: and with their tongue they lied unto him:

37 But their heart was not right with him: nor were they counted faithful in his covenant.

38 But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins: and will not destroy them. And many a time did he turn away his anger: and did not kindle all his wrath.

39 And he remembered that they are flesh: a wind that goeth and returneth not.

40 How often did they provoke him in the desert: and move him to wrath in the place without water?

41 And they turned back and tempted God: and grieved the holy one of Israel.

42 They remembered not his hand, in the day that he redeemed them from the hand of him that afflicted them:

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

44 And he turned their rivers into blood, and their showers that they might, not drink.

45 He sent amongst them divers sores of flies, which devoured them: and frogs which destroyed them.

46 And he gave up their fruits to the blast, and their labours to the locust.

47 And he destroyed their vineyards with hail, and their mulberry trees with hoarfrost.

48 And he gave up their cattle to the hail, and their stock to the fire.

49 And he sent upon them the wrath of his indignation: indignation and wrath and trouble, which he sent by evil angels.

50 He made a way for a path to his anger: he spared not their souls from death, and their cattle he shut up in death.

51 And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.

52 And he took away his own people as sheep: and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 And he brought them out in hope, and they feared not: band the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them into the mountain of his sanctuary: the mountain which his right hand had purchased. And he cast out the Gentiles before them: and by lot divided to them their land by a line of distribution.

55 And he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tabernacles.

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

57 And they turned away, and kept not the covenant: even like their fathers they were turned aside as a crooked bow.

58 They provoked him to anger on their hills: and moved him to jealousy with their graven things.

59 God heard, and despised them, and he reduced Israel exceedingly as it were to nothing.

60 And he put away the tabernacle of Silo, his tabernacle where he dwelt among men.

61 And he delivered their strength into captivity: and their beauty into the hands of the enemy.

62 And he shut up his people under the sword: and he despised his inheritance.

63 Fire consumed their young men: and their maidens were not lamented.

64 Their priests fell by the sword: and their widows did not mourn.

65 And the Lord was awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that hath been surfeited with wine.

66 And he smote his enemies on the hinder parts: he put them to an everlasting reproach.

67 And he rejected the tabernacle of Joseph: and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

68 But he chose the tribe of Juda, mount Sion which he loved.

69 And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.

70 And he chose his servant David, and took him from the hocks of sheep: he brought him from following the ewes great with young,

71 To feed Jacob his servant, and Israel his inheritance.

72 And he fed them in the innocence of his heart: and conducted them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Psalm 78 in Latin

The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 77.

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1 Intellectus Asaph. Attendite, popule meus, legem meam; inclinate aurem vestram in verba oris mei.

2 Aperiam in parabolis os meum; loquar propositiones ab initio.

3 Quanta audivimus, et cognovimus ea, et patres nostri narraverunt nobis.

4 Non sunt occultata a filiis eorum in generatione altera, narrantes laudes Domini et virtutes ejus, et mirabilia ejus quæ fecit.

5 Et suscitavit testimonium in Jacob, et legem posuit in Israël, quanta mandavit patribus nostris nota facere ea filiis suis:

6 ut cognoscat generatio altera: filii qui nascentur et exsurgent, et narrabunt filiis suis,

7 ut ponant in Deo spem suam, et non obliviscantur operum Dei, et mandata ejus exquirant:

8 ne fiant, sicut patres eorum, generatio prava et exasperans; generatio quæ non direxit cor suum, et non est creditus cum Deo spiritus ejus.

9 Filii Ephrem, intendentes et mittentes arcum, conversi sunt in die belli.

10 Non custodierunt testamentum Dei, et in lege ejus noluerunt ambulare.

11 Et obliti sunt benefactorum ejus, et mirabilium ejus quæ ostendit eis.

12 Coram patribus eorum fecit mirabilia in terra Ægypti, in campo Taneos.

13 Interrupit mare, et perduxit eos, et statuit aquas quasi in utre:

14 et deduxit eos in nube diei, et tota nocte in illuminatione ignis.

15 Interrupit petram in eremo, et adaquavit eos velut in abysso multa.

16 Et eduxit aquam de petra, et deduxit tamquam flumina aquas.

17 Et apposuerunt adhuc peccare ei; in iram excitaverunt Excelsum in inaquoso.

18 Et tentaverunt Deum in cordibus suis, ut peterent escas animabus suis.

19 Et male locuti sunt de Deo; dixerunt: Numquid poterit Deus parare mensam in deserto?

20 quoniam percussit petram, et fluxerunt aquæ, et torrentes inundaverunt. Numquid et panem poterit dare, aut parare mensam populo suo?

21 Ideo audivit Dominus et distulit; et ignis accensus est in Jacob, et ira ascendit in Israël:

22 quia non crediderunt in Deo, nec speraverunt in salutari ejus.

23 Et mandavit nubibus desuper, et januas cæli aperuit.

24 Et pluit illis manna ad manducandum, et panem cæli dedit eis.

25 Panem angelorum manducavit homo; cibaria misit eis in abundantia.

26 Transtulit austrum de cælo, et induxit in virtute sua africum.

27 Et pluit super eos sicut pulverem carnes, et sicut arenam maris volatilia pennata.

28 Et ceciderunt in medio castrorum eorum, circa tabernacula eorum.

29 Et manducaverunt, et saturati sunt nimis, et desiderium eorum attulit eis:

30 non sunt fraudati a desiderio suo. Adhuc escæ eorum erant in ore ipsorum,

31 et ira Dei ascendit super eos: et occidit pingues eorum, et electos Israël impedivit.

32 In omnibus his peccaverunt adhuc, et non crediderunt in mirabilibus ejus.

33 Et defecerunt in vanitate dies eorum, et anni eorum cum festinatione.

34 Cum occideret eos, quærebant eum et revertebantur, et diluculo veniebant ad eum.

35 Et rememorati sunt quia Deus adjutor est eorum, et Deus excelsus redemptor eorum est.

36 Et dilexerunt eum in ore suo, et lingua sua mentiti sunt ei;

37 cor autem eorum non erat rectum cum eo, nec fideles habiti sunt in testamento ejus.

38 Ipse autem est misericors, et propitius fiet peccatis eorum, et non disperdet eos. Et abundavit ut averteret iram suam, et non accendit omnem iram suam.

39 Et recordatus est quia caro sunt, spiritus vadens et non rediens.

40 Quoties exacerbaverunt eum in deserto; in iram concitaverunt eum in inaquoso?

41 Et conversi sunt, et tentaverunt Deum, et sanctum Israël exacerbaverunt.

42 Non sunt recordati manus ejus, die qua redemit eos de manu tribulantis:

43 sicut posuit in Ægypto signa sua, et prodigia sua in campo Taneos;

44 et convertit in sanguinem flumina eorum, et imbres eorum, ne biberent.

45 Misit in eos cœnomyiam, et comedit eos, et ranam, et disperdidit eos;

46 et dedit ærugini fructus eorum, et labores eorum locustæ;

47 et occidit in grandine vineas eorum, et moros eorum in pruina;

48 et tradidit grandini jumenta eorum, et possessionem eorum igni;

49 misit in eos iram indignationis suæ, indignationem, et iram, et tribulationem, immissiones per angelos malos.

50 Viam fecit semitæ iræ suæ: non pepercit a morte animabus eorum, et jumenta eorum in morte conclusit:

51 et percussit omne primogenitum in terra Ægypti; primitias omnis laboris eorum in tabernaculis Cham:

52 et abstulit sicut oves populum suum, et perduxit eos tamquam gregem in deserto:

53 et deduxit eos in spe, et non timuerunt, et inimicos eorum operuit mare.

54 Et induxit eos in montem sanctificationis suæ, montem quem acquisivit dextera ejus; et ejecit a facie eorum gentes, et sorte divisit eis terram in funiculo distributionis;

55 et habitare fecit in tabernaculis eorum tribus Israël.

56 Et tentaverunt, et exacerbaverunt Deum excelsum, et testimonia ejus non custodierunt.

57 Et averterunt se, et non servaverunt pactum: quemadmodum patres eorum, conversi sunt in arcum pravum.

58 In iram concitaverunt eum in collibus suis, et in sculptilibus suis ad æmulationem eum provocaverunt.

59 Audivit Deus, et sprevit, et ad nihilum redegit valde Israël.

60 Et repulit tabernaculum Silo, tabernaculum suum, ubi habitavit in hominibus.

61 Et tradidit in captivitatem virtutem eorum, et pulchritudinem eorum in manus inimici.

62 Et conclusit in gladio populum suum, et hæreditatem suam sprevit.

63 Juvenes eorum comedit ignis, et virgines eorum non sunt lamentatæ.

64 Sacerdotes eorum in gladio ceciderunt, et viduæ eorum non plorabantur.

65 Et excitatus est tamquam dormiens Dominus, tamquam potens crapulatus a vino.

66 Et percussit inimicos suos in posteriora; opprobrium sempiternum dedit illis.

67 Et repulit tabernaculum Joseph, et tribum Ephraim non elegit:

68 sed elegit tribum Juda, montem Sion, quem dilexit.

69 Et ædificavit sicut unicornium sanctificium suum, in terra quam fundavit in sæcula.

70 Et elegit David, servum suum, et sustulit eum de gregibus ovium; de post fœtantes accepit eum:

71 pascere Jacob servum suum, et Israël hæreditatem suam.

72 Et pavit eos in innocentia cordis sui, et in intellectibus manuum suarum deduxit eos.

Printable Psalm 78: free, large print and PDF

Print Psalm 78 for free: the whole psalm or only the verses you tick. Choose regular, large or extra large print, and a plain page, a framed sheet to hang on the wall or a verse card, in the World English Bible or the King James Version. To keep a PDF, choose Save as PDF in the print window. Nothing to sign up for.

Psalm 78 at a glance

Verses	72
Heading in the text	A contemplation by Asaph.
Attributed to	The heading attributes it to Asaph and calls it a contemplation.
Type	Historical and Wisdom
Number in Greek and Latin Bibles	Psalm 77

Read Psalm 78 when you are facing

teachers family forgiveness

Psalm 78 in other translations

This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 78 in those translations at Bible Gateway.

Where Psalm 78 belongs

Psalms of Asaph Book 3 of the Psalms

How this page was made

The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.

Sources

Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source

Written by

Lucas Pradella

Last checked 25 September 2026 · How pages are checked

I built AllPsalms because I could not find one site that covered all 150 psalms properly. I am a Christian and a reader of the psalms, not a scholar or a minister. What I can do is the work: put every psalm in one place, in plain English, with the text unedited and every claim sourced.

More about this site

Psalm 77 All 150 Psalm 79