Psalms 78:1-4

A maskil of Asaph.

1 ^[a]My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalms 78:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:1-4 In-Context

1 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,

6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

8 They would not be like their ancestors— a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 51:4; Isaiah 55:3
• 2. S Psalms 49:4; S Matthew 13:35*
• 3. S Judges 6:13; Psalms 44:1
• 4. S Deuteronomy 11:19
• 5. S Deuteronomy 32:7; S Psalms 71:18
• 6. Psalms 26:7; Psalms 71:17
• 7. S Job 5:9

Footnotes

• [a]. Title: Probably a literary or musical term