Psalm 78 (77):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These statements appear to reflect two distinct groups: one associated with the Old Testament and the other with the New. In making this assertion, it is suggested that they received the commandments to pass on to their descendants, yet they did not understand them nor act upon them; they only received them for the sake of ensuring that future generations would comprehend what earlier generations failed to grasp. The children who rise up are the next generation. Those who were born did not ascend because their hearts were focused on earthly matters rather than heavenly ones. The resurrection is found in Christ; hence it is stated, "If ye are risen with Christ, enjoy the things that are in the high places" (Col. 3:1).

They will remember the deeds of the Lord and proclaim to others the ways through which they can identify God as their sole source of hope.

To have faith not in images, but in the Almighty. “And forget not the works of God.” So that they may witness the design of creation and, from creation, grasp the nature of the Creator. “And they sought His commandments.” Not disregarded, as the Jews did, but earnestly pursued, as Christians do.

What then is the outcome of this doctrine? May they place their faith in the Lord, remembering His mighty deeds, and earnestly pursuing His commandments. As they come to understand the strength of God and recognize how effortless it is for Him to accomplish all that is good, they will place their confidence in Him and adhere to the precepts He has established.

Let them place their faith in the Lord. He indicates that, having gained insight from this narrative about what God has promised to those who believe in Him, one may fully trust in the Lord. They will recall the deeds of God and call upon His statutes. By remembering these ancestral narratives, they may not overlook the wonders of God, which surpass the might and marvels of the Almighty, and therefore strive to adhere to His commandments, for anyone who seeks something pursues those matters. Another group of believers may be those familiar with all the accounts and miracles found in the Old Testament.

True knowledge of God involves sharing this understanding with others and nurturing spiritual sons by imparting His commandments. This is the mission of those who have placed their faith in Christ; they harbor no envy toward others regarding their knowledge of God. Believers who came before are not obstacles to others but instead inspire hope in God, remembering His deeds and adhering to His commandments. Daily, the Church proclaims this message to everyone, both familiar and unfamiliar; Paul emphasizes his care for all when he states, ‘my children, for whom I am again in the pains of birth, until Christ be formed in you!’ (Galatians 4:19). In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees, who possess the key to understanding, prevent others from entering. Christ condemned their actions, proclaiming woe to them (Matt. 23:13; Luke 11:52). The next words illustrate this same principle.

The purpose for which God provided the aforementioned law to His people and instructed parents to pass it on to their children, and in turn to their grandchildren, is clear. It was intended that the children of Israel would not place their trust in foreign deities or succumb to the allure of pagan idols, which they were all too easily drawn to. Instead, they were called to revere the one true God, who is their lawgiver, and to place their hope solely in Him. They were to constantly remember the miraculous acts of God, particularly His deliverance of them from Pharaoh's tyranny. Furthermore, they were encouraged to actively seek and fulfill God's will in their lives so that they would not ultimately imitate the ingratitude and disbelief of their forebears.

This Psalm of David, rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, to proclaim it to all who would understand the countless blessings bestowed by God Almighty upon the often ungrateful nation of Israel. It serves to admonish them for their lack of gratitude, while also teaching others to express thanks for the unfathomable compassion of God, particularly as shown through Christ the Lord, who believes in His name. In this psalm, the prophet David appears to speak on behalf of Christ, encouraging Christians to heed the teachings of the Gospel. The messages within this psalm originally pertained to the Jews but now resonate with the followers of Christ: the old covenant serves as a shadow of the new.