Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.
We will not hide them
This phrase emphasizes the responsibility of the faithful to openly share the works and teachings of God. The Hebrew root for "hide" is "כָּחַשׁ" (kachash), which can mean to conceal or deny. In the context of ancient Israel, the oral tradition was vital for preserving history and teachings. The psalmist is making a commitment to transparency and truthfulness, ensuring that the knowledge of God is not withheld from future generations.

from their children
The phrase underscores the importance of intergenerational transmission of faith. In Hebrew culture, children were seen as a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). The responsibility to educate children in the ways of the Lord was paramount, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:7. This reflects a broader biblical principle that faith is not just personal but communal and generational.

we will recount
The act of recounting involves more than just telling; it is a deliberate and detailed narration. The Hebrew word "סָפַר" (saphar) implies counting or relating in detail. This suggests that the recounting of God's deeds is to be thorough and precise, ensuring that nothing of importance is omitted. It is a call to remember and declare the full counsel of God's works and wonders.

to the next generation
This phrase highlights the continuity of faith across time. The Hebrew term "דּוֹר" (dor) refers to a generation, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the ongoing responsibility to pass on the faith. In a historical context, this was crucial for maintaining the identity and faith of the Israelite community amidst surrounding pagan cultures.

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD
"Praiseworthy deeds" refers to the mighty acts and miracles performed by God. The Hebrew word "תְּהִלָּה" (tehillah) is often associated with praise and glory. This phrase calls believers to focus on God's actions that are worthy of admiration and worship, reinforcing the idea that God's works are not only historical events but also reasons for ongoing praise.

His power
The term "power" in Hebrew is "עֹז" (oz), which denotes strength and might. This highlights God's omnipotence and sovereign ability to act in history. The psalmist is reminding the audience of God's unparalleled strength, which has been demonstrated throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus to the establishment of the kingdom.

and the wonders He has done
"Wonders" translates from the Hebrew "נִפְלָאוֹת" (niflaot), referring to miraculous acts that inspire awe. These are the supernatural interventions of God that defy natural explanation, such as the parting of the Red Sea or the provision of manna. The psalmist calls the faithful to remember and declare these wonders, as they are testimonies of God's active presence and involvement in the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 78, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court, known for his role in leading worship and composing psalms.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the psalm is addressed, representing God's chosen people who are called to remember and declare His works.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

4. The Next Generation
The children of Israel, who are to be taught about God's mighty works and His faithfulness.

5. The Wonders of God
Refers to the miraculous acts God performed for Israel, such as the Exodus, provision in the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Testimony
Sharing personal and communal experiences of God's faithfulness strengthens the faith of the next generation.

Intergenerational Faithfulness
It is a biblical mandate to ensure that the knowledge of God and His works is passed down through generations.

The Role of Parents and Leaders
Parents and spiritual leaders have a responsibility to actively teach and model faith to children.

Remembering God's Works
Regularly recounting God's past deeds helps to build trust and reliance on Him in present and future challenges.

Praise as a Teaching Tool
Praising God for His mighty acts is not only worship but also a means of teaching others about His character and deeds.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can you incorporate the practice of sharing God's works with the next generation in your daily life?

2. What are some specific "wonders" of God in your life that you can share with others to encourage their faith?

3. In what ways can your church community support parents and leaders in teaching the next generation about God?

4. How does remembering God's past faithfulness help you face current challenges?

5. What are some practical ways you can use praise and worship to teach others about God's character and deeds?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
This passage emphasizes the importance of teaching God's commandments to children, reinforcing the idea of passing down faith to the next generation.

Joshua 4:6-7
The memorial stones set up by Joshua serve as a physical reminder for future generations of God's miraculous help in crossing the Jordan River.

2 Timothy 2:2
Paul instructs Timothy to entrust the teachings to faithful men who will be able to teach others, highlighting the importance of spiritual multiplication.
ChildrenThe StudyPsalm 78:4
Religious EducationS. Conway Psalm 78:4
The Knowledge of National Benefits and Deliverances Transmitted to the Rising GenerationN. Hill.Psalm 78:4
The Transmission of Scriptural Truth to PosterityJ. Belcher.Psalm 78:4
The True Method by Which Generation Helps GenerationHomilistPsalm 78:4
Whole Psalm: Warnings Against UnbeliefS. Conway Psalm 78:1-72
The Divine Object of RevelationC. Short Psalm 78:3-8
Our Mission to the Coming GenerationR. Tuck Psalm 78:4, 5
People
Asaph, David, Ham, Jacob, Joseph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Clear, Conceal, Deeds, Forth, Generation, Glorious, Hide, Later, Marvellous, Power, Praises, Praiseworthy, Recounting, Secret, Shewing, Showing, Sons, Strength, Telling, Wonder, Wonderful, Wonders, Wondrous, Works, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 78:4

     1416   miracles, nature of

Psalm 78:1-4

     8235   doctrine, nature of

Psalm 78:1-8

     5694   generation

Psalm 78:2-4

     8214   confidence, basis of

Psalm 78:2-6

     8315   orthodoxy, in OT

Psalm 78:2-7

     4945   history

Psalm 78:2-8

     5685   fathers, responsibilities

Psalm 78:3-5

     5887   inexperience

Psalm 78:4-6

     5302   education

Library
Memory, Hope, and Effort
'That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.'--PSALM lxxviii. 7. In its original application this verse is simply a statement of God's purpose in giving to Israel the Law, and such a history of deliverance. The intention was that all future generations might remember what He had done, and be encouraged by the remembrance to hope in Him for the future; and by both memory and hope, be impelled to the discharge of present duty. So, then, the words
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Turning Back in the Day of Battle
I. We will first consider for a little while WHAT THESE MEN DID. They turned their backs. When the time for fighting came they ought to have shown their fronts. Like bold men they should have kept their face to the foe and their breast against the adversary, but they dishonorably turned their backs and fled. This, I am sorry to say, is not an unusual thing amongst professing Christians. They turn back; they turn back in the day of battle. Some do this at the first appearance of difficulty. "There
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 12: 1866

Limiting God
Among such sins of the first table is that described in our text. It is consequently one of the masterpieces of iniquity, and we shall do well to purge ourselves of it. It is full of evil to ourselves, and is calculated to dishonor both God and man, therefore let us be in earnest to cut it up both root and branch. I think we have all been guilty of this in our measure; and we are not free from it even to this day. Whether we be saints or sinners, we may stand here and make our humble confession that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Fifteenth Day for Schools and Colleges
WHAT TO PRAY.--For Schools and Colleges "As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LoThe future of the Church and the world depends, to an extent we little conceive, on the education of the day. The Church may be seeking to evangelise the heathen, and be giving up her own children to secular
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Fourteenth Day for the Church of the Future
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Church of the Future "That the children might not be as their fathers, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."--PS. lxxviii. 8. "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thy offspring."--ISA. xliv. 3. Pray for the rising generation, who are to come after us. Think of the young men and young women and children of this age, and pray for all the agencies at work among them; that in association and societies
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Centenary Commemoration
OF THE RETURN OF BISHOP SEABURY. 1885 THE RT. REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D. FIRST BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT, HELD HIS FIRST ORDINATION AT MIDDLETOWN, AUGUST 3, 1785. On the ninth day of June, 1885, the Diocesan Convention met in Hartford. Morning Prayer was read in Christ Church at 9 o'clock by the Rev. W. E. Vibbert, D.D., Rector of St. James's Church, Fair Haven, and the Rev. J. E. Heald, Rector of Trinity Church, Tariffville. The Holy Communion was celebrated in St. John's Church, the service beginning
Various—The Sermons And Addresses At The Seabury Centenary

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
From this Commandment we learn that after the excellent works of the first three Commandments there are no better works than to obey and serve all those who are set over us as superiors. For this reason also disobedience is a greater sin than murder, unchastity, theft and dishonesty, and all that these may include. For we can in no better way learn how to distinguish between greater and lesser sins than by noting the order of the Commandments of God, although there are distinctions also within the
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Indiscreet Importunity.
"I gave thee a king in mine anger." HOSEA xiii. 11. "Ye know not what ye ask." MATTHEW xx. 22. PSALM lxxviii. 27-31. That God sometimes suffers men to destroy themselves, giving them their own way, although He knows it is ruinous, and even putting into their hands the scorpion they have mistaken for a fish, is an indubitable and alarming fact. Perhaps no form of ruin covers a man with such shame or sinks him to such hopelessness as when he finds that what he has persistently clamoured for and refused
Marcus Dods—How to become like Christ

The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

The Second Continental Journey.
1827-28. PART I.--GERMANY. After John and Martha Yeardley had visited their friends at home, their minds were directed to the work which they had left uncompleted on the continent of Europe; and, on their return from the Yearly Meeting, they opened this prospect of service before the assembled church to which they belonged. (Diary) 6 mo. 18.--Were at the Monthly Meeting at Highflatts, where we laid our concern before our friends to revisit some parts of Germany and Switzerland, and to visit
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

The World's Bread
'And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31. And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. 33. And the people saw them departing, and many knew Him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass. I am even as a sparrow that sitteth alone on the housetop--Ps. cii. 4, 6. My lovers and friends hast Thou put away from me, and hid mine acquaintance out of my sight--Ps. lxxviii. 18. I looked on my right hand, and saw there was no man that would know me. I had no place to flee unto, and no man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord, and said, Thou art my Hope. When my spirit was in heaviness, then Thou knewest my path.--Ps. cxlii. 4, 5.
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

The Good Shepherd: a Farewell Sermon
John 10:27-28 -- "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." It is a common, and I believe, generally speaking, my dear hearers, a true saying, that bad manners beget good laws. Whether this will hold good in every particular, in respect to the affairs of this world, I am persuaded the observation is very pertinent in respect to the things of another: I mean bad manners,
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"The Sun of Righteousness"
WE SHOULD FEEL QUITE JUSTIFIED in applying the language of the 19th Psalm to our Lord Jesus Christ from the simple fact that he is so frequently compared to the sun; and especially in the passage which we have given you as our second text, wherein he is called "the Sun of Righteousness." But we have a higher justification for such a reading of the passage, for it will be in your memories that, in the 10th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul, slightly altering the words of this
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Privilege and Experience
"And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." --Luke 15:31. The words of the text are familiar to us all. The elder son had complained and said, that though his father had made a feast, and had killed the fatted calf for the prodigal son, he had never given him even a kid that he might make merry with his friends. The answer of the father was: "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." One cannot have a more wonderful revelation of the heart of
Andrew Murray—The Deeper Christian Life

Stones Crying Out
'For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. 11. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 12. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
PHILIPPIANS iv. 1-9 Euodia and Syntyche--Conditions to unanimity--Great uses of small occasions--Connexion to the paragraphs--The fortress and the sentinel--A golden chain of truths--Joy in the Lord--Yieldingness--Prayer in everything--Activities of a heart at rest Ver. 1. +So, my brethren beloved and longed for+, missed indeed, at this long distance from you, +my joy and crown+ of victory (stephanos), +thus+, as having such certainties and such aims, with such a Saviour, and looking for such
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

An Exhortation to Love God
1. An exhortation. Let me earnestly persuade all who bear the name of Christians to become lovers of God. "O love the Lord, all ye his saints" (Psalm xxxi. 23). There are but few that love God: many give Him hypocritical kisses, but few love Him. It is not so easy to love God as most imagine. The affection of love is natural, but the grace is not. Men are by nature haters of God (Rom. i. 30). The wicked would flee from God; they would neither be under His rules, nor within His reach. They fear God,
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

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