Psalms 78:70

70 He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;

Psalms 78:70 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:70

He chose David also his servant
To be king of Israel, the youngest of his father's family, when he rejected all the rest; see ( 1 Samuel 16:6 1 Samuel 16:11 ) , an eminent type of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is called by his name, ( Psalms 89:3 Psalms 89:19 ) ( Ezekiel 34:23 ) ( 37:24 ) ( Hosea 3:5 ) and the signification of his name "Beloved" agrees with him, who is beloved of God, as his Son, and as man and Mediator; and beloved of men, of all the saints: and so likewise his character as a servant suits with him; who not only frequently has the name of a servant, ( Psalms 89:19 Psalms 89:20 ) ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( Zechariah 3:8 ) , but appeared in the form of one, ( Philippians 2:7 ) , had the work of a servant to do, which he has accomplished, even the great work of our salvation, ( John 17:4 ) , in doing which, and all things leading on and appertaining to it, he took the utmost delight and pleasure, and used the greatest diligence and assiduity, ( John 4:34 ) ( 9:4 ) and justly acquired the character of a faithful and righteous servant, ( Isaiah 53:11 ) , and to this work and office he was chosen and called by his Father, ( Isaiah 42:1 ) ( 49:3 ) ,

and took him from the sheepfolds;
from whence he was fetched when Samuel was sent by the Lord to anoint him, ( 1 Samuel 16:11 ) , so Moses, while he was feeding his father's sheep, was called to be the saviour and deliverer of Israel, ( Exodus 3:1-10 ) , and Amos was taken from following the flock to be a prophet of the Lord, ( Amos 7:13 Amos 7:14 ) , and as David was a type of Christ, this may express the mean condition of our Lord, in his state of humiliation, previous to his exaltation, and the more open exercise of his kingly office.

Psalms 78:70 In-Context

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves.
69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded for ever.
70 He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 from tending the ewes that had young he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob his people, of Israel his inheritance.
72 With upright heart he tended them, and guided them with skilful hand.
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.