Study Desk

A Maskil of Asaph.^(a)

My people, hear my instruction; listen to what I say.^(b)

I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past^(c)—

things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us.^(d)

We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord , His might, and the wonderful works He has performed.^(e)

He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children^(f)

so that a future generation— children yet to be born—might know. They were to rise and tell their children^(g)

so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commands.^(h)

Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.⁽ⁱ⁾

The Ephraimite archers turned back on the day of battle.^(j)

They did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by His law.^(k)

They forgot what He had done, the wonderful works He had shown them.^(l)

He worked wonders in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.^(m)

He split the sea and brought them across; the water stood firm like a wall.⁽ⁿ⁾

He led them with a cloud by day and with a fiery light throughout the night.^(o)

He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the depths.^(p)

He brought streams out of the stone and made water flow down like rivers.^(q)

But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.^(r)

They deliberately^[a] tested God, demanding the food they craved.^(s)

They spoke against God, saying, "Is God able to provide food in the wilderness?

Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out; torrents overflowed.^(t) But can He also provide bread or furnish meat for His people?"^(u)