Studies in Psalms Give Ear to My Law Psalm 78

Background A psalm of Asaph “One of the great national hymns of Israel” Written after the time of David

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) “Give ear to my law…” (1) “Listen, O my people, to my instruction…” (NASU) The need to preach what is needed! 2 Tim. 4:2, Heb. 2:1-3, 5:12-14, Acts 20:29-31, etc.

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.” (2) Weighty sayings. The idea is that of application based upon examples. Matt. 13:11-13 Do we respect His word?

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) “Our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children” (3-4) Deut. 4:5-9, 6:4-9 The Law expected the message to be passed down Eph. 6:4, 2 Tim. 3:15 How concerned are we about the future of the church?

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) A testimony and a law from God (5-6) What is the source of our message? 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Jude 3, Jas. 1:25

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) “That they may set their hope in God and not forget…” (7) How much effort are we making to instill hope in our children? Are we teaching them? What about our example?

The Purpose of This Psalm (1-8) “And may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation…” (8) Learning how NOT to act! Examples are not just positive! The goal: To avoid such an attitude

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) Turned back in the day of battle ( cf. Deut. 1:41-46? ) (10-11) Israel had failed to keep the covenant and refused to walk in His law.

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) (12-14) He did marvelous things, including the Red Sea and protecting them with the cloud ( Ex. 13: )

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) (15-16) He gave them water from rocks (more than once) ( Ex. 17:1-6, 20:11-13 )

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) (17-31) They demanded meat and God provided. BUT in anger, He cursed their “intense cravings” ( Ex. 16 – He promised manna and quail. Num. 11:1-15, – they complained again! )

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) (32-33) The STILL did not believe His works. Their years were filled with futility (34-37) False repentance NOTE: When we repent, do we mean it?

Israel in the Wilderness (9-40) (38-40) But He did not destroy them, in compassion! REMEMBER that He is a God of mercy! (Ezek. 20:8-9) (41) Again and again they tempted God.

They did not remember Egypt (41-53) (42) They did not remember His power in Egypt. (43-51) The plagues against Egypt! (How could they forget?) (52-53) BUT He delivered His own people

Inheriting the land (54-66) (54) He brought them to Mt. Sinai where they again saw great wonders (55) He drove out nations before them (Joshua)

Inheriting the land (54-66) (56-57) Yet they tested and provoked God and did NOT keep His testimonies See Judges 2:10

Inheriting the land (54-66) (58) They worshipped foreign idols See Judges 2:11-13 (59-64) – The “cycle” of the judges (65-66) He awoke and delivered them

He chose David (67-72) (67-68) Judah chosen over Ephraim. Mt. Zion (Jerusalem, city of David) (69) – He built His sanctuary there (cf. Heb. 9:1-15, ) (70-71) He chose David (2 Sam. 7:12-17)

He chose David (67-72) (72) David would shepherd the people, according to the integrity of His heart. (cf. Ac. 13:22, 1 Kn. 9:4) Let the righteous stand up and lead the people

Will you learn from the past?