Psalm 78:22

EXPOSITION

Verse 22. Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation. This is the master sin, the crying sin. Like Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, it sins and makes Israel to sin; it is in itself evil and the parent of evils. It was this sin which shut Israel out of Canaan, and it shuts myriads out of heaven. God is ready to save, combining power with willingness, but rebellious man will not trust his Saviour, and therefore is condemned already. In the text it appears as if all Israel's other sins were as nothing compared with this; this is the peculiar spot which the Lord points at, the special provocation which angered him. From this let every unbeliever learn to tremble more at his unbelief than at anything else. If he be no fornicator, or thief, or liar, let him reflect that it is quite enough to condemn him that he trusts not in God's salvation.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

None.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 21-22. Evil consequences of unbelief.

1. The sin itself: they doubted the ultimate certainty,
   completeness, and reality of God's salvation from
   Egypt.
   
2. The aggravation of it: the object of it was God; they
   who entertained it were God's people: The aids to
   faith were overlooked: "though."
   
3. What it led them to; inward sin -- Psalms 78:18;
   ;
   outward sin -- Psalms 78:19 , etc.
   
4. What it brought upon them; Psalms 78:21 . Fiery
   serpents, etc. C. D.