42 They did not keep in mind the work of his hand, or the day when he took them from the power of their haters; 43 How he had done his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan; 44 So that their rivers were turned to blood, and they were not able to get drink from their streams. 45 He sent different sorts of flies among them, poisoning their flesh; and frogs for their destruction. 46 He gave the increase of their fields to worms, the fruits of their industry to the locusts. 47 He sent ice for the destruction of their vines; their trees were damaged by the bitter cold. 48 Ice was rained down on their cattle; thunderstorms sent destruction among the flocks. 49 He sent on them the heat of his wrath, his bitter disgust, letting loose evil angels among them. 50 He let his wrath have its way; he did not keep back their soul from death, but gave their life to disease. 51 He gave to destruction all the first sons of Egypt; the first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham; 52 But he took his people out like sheep, guiding them in the waste land like a flock. 53 He took them on safely so that they had no fear; but their haters were covered by the sea.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:42-53
Commentary on Psalm 78:40-55.
(Read Psalm 78:40-55.)
Let not those that receive mercy from God, be thereby made bold to sin, for the mercies they receive will hasten its punishment; yet let not those who are under Divine rebukes for sin, be discouraged from repentance. The Holy One of Israel will do what is most for his own glory, and what is most for their good. Their forgetting former favours, led them to limit God for the future. God made his own people to go forth like sheep; and guided them in the wilderness, as a shepherd his flock, with all care and tenderness. Thus the true Joshua, even Jesus, brings his church out of the wilderness; but no earthly Canaan, no worldly advantages, should make us forget that the church is in the wilderness while in this world, and that there remaineth a far more glorious rest for the people of God.