Psalms 78:1-16
The lengthy Psalms 78:1-72 recalls the wonders (vv. 4, 12) performed by "the God that doest wonders" (Psalms 77:14) for His people. The people are invited to incline their ears to this recital, given for their instruction! (see title – maschil, meaning instruction). As Christians, we know that this history of Israel has been written just as much for us also "for our admonition" (1 Corinthians 10:11); it is like a long parable (relating, nevertheless, things that really happened), in accordance with v. 2 which Matthew 13:35 records as from the lips of the Lord Jesus. Finally vv. 4, 6 show us that this remembrance of past wonders set out in vv. 12-16 is particularly directed to the new generation with the threefold aim defined in v. 7: to cause these "children" to put their hope in God, not to forget His works, and lastly to keep His commandments. That is just what He expects from us! Let us ask the Lord to keep us from being like Israel in the wilderness, "a stubborn and rebellious generation . . . whose spirit was not steadfast with God" (v. 8; Ezekiel 20:18). Let us also reap the benefit of learning from past experiences: these things "which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us" (v. 3).