I would like to give an overview and an outline (without details) of the whole psalm. As we read each section of the psalm I will give more details of the outline.
(1) Overview
(NET) The author of this lengthy didactic psalm rehearses Israel’s history. He praises God for his power, goodness and patience, but also reminds his audience that sin angers God and prompts his judgment. In the conclusion to the psalm the author elevates Jerusalem as God’s chosen city and David as his chosen king.
(2) Outline (with details only to v.1-8)
(Kel Ps)
I. The psalmist calls the people to listen to his wise teaching concerning the history of the faith that was passed down from generation to generation so that the people would not forget the words and works of God (1–8).
A. He calls the people to listen to his teaching which will explain the deeper things about their history (1–4).
1. He calls them to listen carefully to his teaching (1).
2. He announces that he will make known the deeper things of their historical faith (2–3).
3. They will pass the good news on to their children (4).
B. He calls for them to pass on the heritage of the faith so that the people would keep it in memory and live obediently (5–8).
1. They will tell the next generation as the LORD instructed so that they too might know and praise (5–6).
2. They must know the faith and obey the commandments so that they do not prove unfaithful as their ancestors did (7–8).
I. The psalmist calls the people to listen to his wise teaching concerning the history of the faith that was passed down from generation to generation so that the people would not forget the words and works of God (1–8).
A. He calls the people to listen to his teaching which will explain the deeper things about their history (1–4).
1. He calls them to listen carefully to his teaching (1).
2. He announces that he will make known the deeper things of their historical faith (2–3).
3. They will pass the good news on to their children (4).
B. He calls for them to pass on the heritage of the faith so that the people would keep it in memory and live obediently (5–8).
1. They will tell the next generation as the LORD instructed so that they too might know and praise (5–6).
2. They must know the faith and obey the commandments so that they do not prove unfaithful as their ancestors did (7–8).
II. The psalmist traces the history of the faith from Egypt to the holy land, reporting how often the people rebelled against the LORD and were judged, and how frequently the LORD in his compassion forgave them (12–55).
III. The psalmist sadly recalls the defection of the people in the land that brought about the destruction of Shiloh [Jerusalem] and capture of the ark, but then joyfully recalls how the LORD saved his people and chose David to be his faithful shepherd (56–72).
(3) Key verses
78:2 I will sing a song that imparts wisdom;
I will make insightful observations about the past.
Reflection: The author did not just pass down history, but he made meaning interpretation of his observations. May God help us when we read the Biblical history, human history and even our own personal history.
I will make insightful observations about the past.
Reflection: The author did not just pass down history, but he made meaning interpretation of his observations. May God help us when we read the Biblical history, human history and even our own personal history.
78:5 He established a rule in Jacob;
he set up a law in Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to make his deeds known to their descendants,
3 purposes of the passing down of history. #1 they will teach the next generations. It is clear that we, as parents or teachers, this is our most important job.
he set up a law in Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to make his deeds known to their descendants,
3 purposes of the passing down of history. #1 they will teach the next generations. It is clear that we, as parents or teachers, this is our most important job.
78:7 Then they will place their confidence in God.
They will not forget the works of God,
and they will obey his commands.
#2 purpose is for the next generation to trust God. Why knowing the works of God will make the next generation believe? On one hand, God is might. Not only that, God is their covenant God and He promised Abraham that his descendents would be like stars in the sky. By knowing that the very existence of their race depends on the covenant was sobering!! (Imaginary line: "Our ancestors almost did not make it. Only because of God, Who is Faithful to His covenant, could we survive." Do you have any experience that is similar and you can tell your next generation?
They will not forget the works of God,
and they will obey his commands.
#2 purpose is for the next generation to trust God. Why knowing the works of God will make the next generation believe? On one hand, God is might. Not only that, God is their covenant God and He promised Abraham that his descendents would be like stars in the sky. By knowing that the very existence of their race depends on the covenant was sobering!! (Imaginary line: "Our ancestors almost did not make it. Only because of God, Who is Faithful to His covenant, could we survive." Do you have any experience that is similar and you can tell your next generation?
78:8 Then they will not be like their ancestors,
who were a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation that was not committed
and faithful to God.
#3 The passing of history could help the next generation to avoid the same mistake. Stubborn/rebellious/not committed/not faithful led to the fall of their whole nation (we will see in tomorrow's passage). Do we ourselves learn from the Israelite history? What do you teach your next generation about Israel? about your own stubbornness and rebellion?
a generation that was not committed
and faithful to God.
#3 The passing of history could help the next generation to avoid the same mistake. Stubborn/rebellious/not committed/not faithful led to the fall of their whole nation (we will see in tomorrow's passage). Do we ourselves learn from the Israelite history? What do you teach your next generation about Israel? about your own stubbornness and rebellion?
Audrey
Comments