Psalm 78
This psalm was a review given by God for the boys and girls in Israel to know what great things God had done to save their nation from slavery in Egypt, and to lead them safely through deserts to a good land. When these boys and girls were grown, they were to tell the stories to their children. It is a long psalm and we can give only a few verses:
“Marvelous things did He (God) in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters to stand as an heap. In the daytime also He led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. He clave (opened) the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.” Verses 12-15.
Perhaps you remember reading how God divided the water of the Red Sea so the big company of men, women, children, and animals crossed safely over, out of reach of the cruel king of Egypt; then how later, God gave them food and water in the deserts, until at last their children were brought to a good land.
This psalm also reviews the dreadful troubles sent against Egypt, because they rebelled against God (Verses 43-51). But even though the people of Israel saw the wonders and power of God, many of them spoke against Him.
“But He... forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not.” Verse 38.
Yet at last; many of the people made images and prayed to them, instead of to the Lord, so great sorrows came to them (Verse 58). Because the people forgot to obey and honor God, much of this is a sad review for the young people who were to hear it; but it was all true.
Why do you suppose the boys and girls of Israel were to review this, and why should we, when perhaps none of us are from that nation? As you grow older you will find that we are not different from those people,—we too forget the wonderful works of God’s power and of His love, so this was a warning for the boys and girls then, and is a warning for all of us now, and tells us to set our “hope in God” (Verse 7).
The last of the psalm speaks of David, chosen by God, as a careful shepherd of His people. Since then God has given His Son Jesus to be as a good Shepherd, greater than David could be, to give His life for His people, and Who still cares for them as a careful Shepherd.
The plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7 to 11).
The Red Sea Divided (Exodus 14:15-3015And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 18And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 19And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 23And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 26And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. (Exodus 14:15‑30)).
ML 11/03/1940