781 Hear my teaching, my people.
Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable.
I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known,
and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children,
telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh,
his strength, and his wondrous works that he has done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob,
and appointed a teaching in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers,
that they should make them known to their children; 6 that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born;
who should arise and tell their children, 7 that they might set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
but keep his commandments, 8 and might not be as their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal,
whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 78:1-8
Commentary on Psalm 78:1-8
(Read Psalm 78:1-8)
These are called dark and deep sayings, because they are carefully to be looked into. The law of God was given with a particular charge to teach it diligently to their children, that the church may abide for ever. Also, that the providences of God, both in mercy and in judgment, might encourage them to conform to the will of God. The works of God much strengthen our resolution to keep his commandments. Hypocrisy is the high road to apostacy; those that do not set their hearts right, will not be stedfast with God. Many parents, by negligence and wickedness, become murderers of their children. But young persons, though they are bound to submit in all things lawful, must not obey sinful orders, or copy sinful examples.