Psalm 78 (77):56Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In alignment with a certain covenant and decree, they declared, “All that the Lord our God has commanded, we will accomplish and follow.” (Exodus 19:8) It is noteworthy that his words echo those of their ancestors; despite the entire psalm appearing to address the same group, it becomes evident that the verses actually pertain to those who had already entered the promised land. The ancestors referenced were, in fact, those who had incited the Lord’s anger during the time in the wilderness.

The Most High God faced temptation and was repulsed. The psalmist alludes to the idolatry prevalent during the times of the judges and monarchs. His revelations were not upheld.

The prophet illustrates their lack of faith in the wilderness by recounting their violation of God's law within the promised land. They tested and angered the Most High and failed to uphold His decrees. Despite receiving numerous blessings, they persisted in disobeying the law and transgressing God's commandments.

They provoked and despised the Almighty, disregarding His commandments, and like their forefathers, they turned aside and rejected Him. Those who entered the promised land were the descendants of those whose remains, as mentioned previously, perished in the desert. Their offspring also tested and angered the Lord, as recorded in the book of Judges: “After them arose another generation that did not know the Lord or the deeds He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals” (Judges 11:10-11). The testimonies referred to are divine declarations. Yet, they distanced themselves from God and rejected Him, mirroring their ancestors who crafted a golden calf in the wilderness.

The prophet highlights the dual wrongdoing of the Jewish people. He declares that they not only tested the Lord but also caused suffering, and those who have once tested Him continue to do so repeatedly, thereby inflicting affliction. Such behavior is a serious offense towards even a fellow human; thus, it becomes all the more grievous in relation to God, who, in His greatness, cannot be subjected to our trials. This is why the Holy Spirit admonished the Jews through the prophet Isaiah: “Hear ye, O house of David, is it not enough for you to make it difficult for men, that ye should make it difficult for my God also?” (Isaiah 7:13). Additionally, the psalmist notes that they "kept not His statutes." They transgressed what God had commanded, which He had ratified with a warning, demonstrating profound arrogance and disbelief.

In this passage, the Prophet reproaches the Israelites once again for their continual opposition to God, despite the abundant grace shown to them. Their cruelty has led them to completely disregard the call to obedience. We have previously discussed the meaning of the term ‘tempted’. Here, the Prophet adds a broader term, stating that His revelations were not observed. In these final remarks, he reveals the blatant and egregious disobedience of the Israelites, who, despite fully understanding their responsibilities and possessing the law, chose not to heed God’s commands. The law is referred to as ‘obedience’ because God has entered into a commitment with this people, akin to how individuals uphold mutual agreements regarding established laws.

This Psalm of David, rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so that he might proclaim it for the enlightenment of all regarding the countless blessings bestowed by Almighty God upon the ungrateful lineage of the Jews. It serves to admonish them for their ingratitude while also guiding others to express gratitude for the unfathomable compassion of God, particularly as manifested through Christ the Lord, whom they trust in His name. In this psalm, the prophet David articulates words as if voicing the sentiments of Christ, encouraging Christian believers to pay close attention to the teachings of the Gospel.