Psalms 78:52

52 Then he led his people out like a shepherd 1 and guided them through the desert.

Psalms 78:52 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:52

But made his own people to go forth like sheep
The people of Israel, whom the Lord chose to be his peculiar people above all others; these he caused to go forth out of Egypt, with a mighty hand and stretched out arm; like sheep, weak, timorous, unarmed, harmless, and inoffensive, not a dog daring to move his tongue at them: the power of God was wonderfully displayed in the delivery of his poor, helpless, and oppressed people, well may it be ascribed to him; for it was not their arm, but his, that brought them out:

and guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
by the hands of Moses and Aaron, ( Psalms 77:20 ) , he also going before them as the Shepherd of the flock, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night; he kept them together as a flock from scattering, straying, and being lost; and directed their way in the untrodden wilderness, through all the windings and turnings of it, and protected them from all dangers and enemies.

Psalms 78:52 In-Context

50 He did not restrain his anger or spare their lives, but killed them with a plague.
51 He killed the first-born sons of all the families of Egypt.
52 Then he led his people out like a shepherd and guided them through the desert.
53 He led them safely, and they were not afraid; but the sea came rolling over their enemies.
54 He brought them to his holy land, to the mountains which he himself conquered.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 78.52Exodus 13.17-22.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.