56 But they kept testing and rebelling against God Most High. They did not obey his laws. 57 They turned back and were as faithless as their parents. They were as undependable as a crooked bow. 58 They angered God by building shrines to other gods; they made him jealous with their idols. 59 When God heard them, he was very angry, and he completely rejected Israel. 60 Then he abandoned his dwelling at Shiloh, the Tabernacle where he had lived among the people. 61 He allowed the Ark of his might to be captured; he surrendered his glory into enemy hands. 62 He gave his people over to be butchered by the sword, because he was so angry with his own people-his special possession. 63 Their young men were killed by fire; their young women died before singing their wedding songs. 64 Their priests were slaughtered, and their widows could not mourn their deaths. 65 Then the Lord rose up as though waking from sleep, like a warrior aroused from a drunken stupor. 66 He routed his enemies and sent them to eternal shame. 67 But he rejected Joseph's descendants; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. 68 He chose instead the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loved. 69 There he built his sanctuary as high as the heavens, as solid and enduring as the earth. 70 He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens. 71 He took David from tending the ewes and lambs and made him the shepherd of Jacob's descendants- God's own people, Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:56-71
Commentary on Psalm 78:56-72
(Read Psalm 78:56-72)
After the Israelites were settled in Canaan, the children were like their fathers. God gave them his testimonies, but they turned back. Presumptuous sins render even Israelites hateful to God's holiness, and exposed to his justice. Those whom the Lord forsakes become an easy prey to the destroyer. And sooner or later, God will disgrace his enemies. He set a good government over his people; a monarch after his own heart. With good reason does the psalmist make this finishing, crowning instance of God's favour to Israel; for David was a type of Christ, the great and good Shepherd, who was humbled first, and then exalted; and of whom it was foretold, that he should be filled with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. On the uprightness of his heart, and the skilfulness of his hands, all his subjects may rely; and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Every trial of human nature hitherto, confirms the testimony of Scripture, that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and nothing but being created anew by the Holy Ghost can cure the ungodliness of any.