Psalms 78:52

52 Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

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 made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague.
51 He smote all the first-born in Egypt, the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham.
52 Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.