Psalms 78:8

8 and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Psalms 78:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers
This chiefly respects the Jews in Christ's time: though it also is an admonition to them in succeeding ages, and especially in the latter day, when they shall be instructed, called, and converted; and even to us, to whom the Gospel is preached, on whom the ends of the world are come, not to be disobedient, as the Jewish fathers were, and to take care we do not fall after the same example of unbelief; this opens the whole scope and general design of the psalm; see ( 1 Corinthians 10:6-11 ) ( Hebrews 3:7-14 ) ( 4:1-11 ) ,

a stubborn and rebellions generation;
as the generation in the wilderness was, ( Deuteronomy 9:6 Deuteronomy 9:7 Deuteronomy 9:24 ) and so were their posterity in Christ's time, ( Matthew 12:34 Matthew 12:39 ) ( Acts 7:51 ) ,

a generation that set not their heart aright;
to seek the Lord, serve and obey him; their hearts were removed far from him, and they were hypocritical in their prayers to him, and service of him:

and whose spirit was not steadfast with God;
did not continue in the faith of God, in the true religion, but departed and apostatized from him; see ( Psalms 78:37 Psalms 78:57 ) . Apostasy is generally the fruit and effect of hypocrisy; all the following facts support the character which is here given of them.

Psalms 78:8 In-Context

6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children,

7 so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

8 and that they should not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

9 The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.

10 They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.