Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 78
Lessons from Israel’s Past
A Maskil of Asaph.(A)
1 My people, hear my instruction;
listen to the words from my mouth.(B)
2 I will declare wise sayings;
I will speak mysteries from the past(C)—
3 things we have heard and known
and that our ancestors have passed down to us.(D)
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but will tell a future generation
the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
his might, and the wondrous works
he has performed.(E)
12 He worked wonders in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, the territory of Zoan.(A)
13 He split the sea and brought them across;
the water stood firm like a wall.(B)
14 He led them with a cloud by day
and with a fiery light throughout the night.(C)
15 He split rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink as abundant as the depths.(D)
16 He brought streams out of the stone
and made water flow down like rivers.(E)
Water from the Rock
20 The entire Israelite community entered the Wilderness of Zin(A) in the first month, and they[a] settled in Kadesh.(B) Miriam(C) died and was buried there.
2 There was no water for the community, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people quarreled with Moses and said,(D) “If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord.(E) 4 Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness(F) for us and our livestock to die here?(G) 5 Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It’s not a place of grain, figs, vines, and pomegranates,(H) and there is no water to drink!”
6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord spoke to Moses, 8 “Take the staff(I) and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock(J) while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.”
9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence(K) just as he had commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.(L)
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.”(M) 13 These are the Waters of Meribah,[b](N) where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord, and he demonstrated his holiness to them.(O)
32 And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors.(A) 33 God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm:
34 As to his raising him from the dead, never to return to decay, he has spoken in this way, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David.[c](C) 35 Therefore he also says in another passage, You will not let your Holy One see decay.[d](D) 36 For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep,(E) was buried with his fathers, and decayed,(F) 37 but the one God raised up did not decay. 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers and sisters, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you.(G) 39 Everyone who believes is justified[e] through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.(H) 40 So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you:
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