Psalm 78

Lessons from Israel’s Past

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)

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13 For it was You who created my inward parts;[a]
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.(A)
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.[b][c]
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well.(B)
15 My bones were not hidden from You
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.(C)
16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in Your book and planned
before a single one of them began.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 139:13 Lit my kidneys
  2. Psalm 139:14 DSS, some LXX mss, Syr, Jer read because You are remarkable and wonderful
  3. Psalm 139:14 Hb obscure

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