Psalm 78:57

57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their avot; they turned like a treacherous keshet.

Psalm 78:57 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:57

But turned back
From God and his worship, apostatized from the true religion, and turned to idols:

and dealt unfaithfully, like their fathers;
in the wilderness; see ( Psalms 78:8 Psalms 78:36 Psalms 78:37 ) ,

they were turned aside like a deceitful bow;
that promises well to carry the arrow right, but drops it at the feet of the archer; or carries it another way, so that it misses the mark, The Targum is,

``as a bow casting arrows;''

to the ground, and not to the mark; see ( Hosea 7:16 ) , or being too much stretched is suddenly broken, and kills the archer; or returns to its own nature; so Arama.

Psalm 78:57 In-Context

55 He cast out the Goyim also before them, and divided by measure a nachalah for them, and made the Shivtei Yisroel to dwell in their ohalim.

56 Yet they tested and provoked Elohim Elyon, and were not shomer over His edot;

57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their avot; they turned like a treacherous keshet.

58 For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their pesilim.

59 When Elohim heard this, He was in wrath, and greatly abhorred Yisroel;