Psalms 78:1-22 ▼

1 A Maskil of Asaph. ”8224; My people, hear my instruction; listen to the words from my mouth.

2 I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past —

3 things we have heard and known and that our ancestors have passed down to us.

4 We will not hide them from their children, but will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children

6 so that a future generation — children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children

7 so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep his commands.

8 Then they would not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9 The Ephraimite archers turned back on the day of battle.

10 They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.

11 They forgot what he had done, the wondrous works he had shown them.

12 He worked wonders in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, the territory of Zoan.

13 He split the sea and brought them across; the water stood firm like a wall.

14 He led them with a cloud by day and with a fiery light throughout the night.

15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the depths.

16 He brought streams out of the stone and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

18 They deliberately tested God, demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying, “Is God able to provide food in the wilderness?

20 Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed. But can he also provide bread or furnish meat for his people? ”

21 Therefore, the LORD heard and became furious; then fire broke out against Jacob, and anger flared up against Israel

22 because they did not believe God or rely on his salvation.