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John Brown of Haddington’s Commentary on the PsalmsPsalm 78

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Psalm 78 John Brown of Haddington

This psalm is but a brief instructive history of the transactions between Israel and their God, for about four hundred and eighty years, from Moses to David. Here is, (1.) The introduction, containing a solemn call to an attentive consideration of God's words and works, in order to a faithful transmitting of the knowledge thereof to posterity, that they might set their hope in God, and reform from their fathers' wickedness, ver. 1-8. (2.) The history itself, in which are exhibited, 1. God's favours to Israel before their settlement in Canaan, in plaguing the Egyptians; in dividing the Red Sea; in giving them water from the rock, and manna from heaven; in bringing them into Canaan, notwithstanding their unnumbered provocations, particularly their forgetfulness of his mighty works, their ingratitude for his favours, their murmuring against his trying dispensations, their eagerness to satiate their lusts with his benefits, their impenitent obduracy, or hypocritical repentance under his rebukes, ver. 9-55. 2. Their ingratitude, treachery, and idolatry, after their entrance into Canaan; with God's righteous resentment thereof, in removing his tabernacle from Shiloh, and in delivering up his ark and people into the hand of the Philistines, ver. 56-64. 3. God's merciful return to them, in obliging the Philistines, by the plague of emrods, to restore his ark; in at length providing an habitation for it at Jerusalem; and in raising up and qualifying David, a descendant of Judah, to govern them in a manner both honourable and happy, ver. 65-72. These things are more largely recorded in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel, and part of 1st Kings.

While I sing, let me, with grief and shame, remember my own and my fathers' transgressions against the Lord. Let me adore the infinite patience, power, and mercy, holiness and equity of God. Let me bless his holy name, for the multitude of his undeserved favours towards me, and towards the church. And though he cause grief, let me hope that, in due time, he will have compassion.

Read or sing this psalm in the Scottish Psalter or the Bay Psalm Book.