Psalm 78 (77):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For what does it mean to draw the bow and shoot, only to retreat on the battlefield, except to showcase attentiveness and intentionality during the time of listening, yet faltering in moments of trial; gesturing without commitment, and refusing to engage when action is required? The phrase “bending and shooting bows” suggests that arrows are implied, even though it might seem more appropriate to say “bending bows and shooting arrows.” If the sons of Ephraim are representative of this entire generation steeped in bitterness, then the phrase signifies the whole through a part. This particular aspect may have been highlighted to indicate the expectations of goodness from these individuals. Despite being placed at his father's left hand as the youngest, Jacob nevertheless blessed Ephraim with his right hand, elevating him above his elder brother through a significant blessing. (Gen. 48:14) Indeed, it is believed that the last will be first, and the first will be last, (Matt. 20:16) due to the advent of the Savior, of whom it was said, He who comes after me has surpassed me. (Jn. 1:27) Similarly, the righteous Abel was honored above his elder brother; this was also the case with Ishmael and Isaac; and likewise with Esau, despite being born first, his twin brother Jacob was favored; even Phares, at birth, overtook his twin brother. David was likewise chosen over his elder brother. (1 Samuel 16:12) All of these examples serve to illustrate that the preference was extended to the Christian nation, for whose redemption, like that of Abel at the hands of Cain, (Gen. 4:8) Christ was sacrificed, fulfilling a foreshadowing as Jacob, crossing his hands, blessed Ephraim on the left with his right hand and placed him before Manasseh on the right, whom he touched with his left. (Gen. 48:14)

They did not keep the covenant of God, neither did they want to walk in his law, and they forgot his favours and his wonders which he had shown them" (Psalm 77:9-11). As we learn from the Books of Kings, during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, separated a portion of the people, taking ten tribes to Samaria, while only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained under Rehoboam's rule (3 Kings 12). Many Levites, priests, and those who had settled in Jerusalem turned to the temple of God there, as noted in the Chronicles (2 Chronicles 11:13). Thus, three tribes remained in Judah: the royal tribe of Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites who came from various tribes to serve in the temple. Meanwhile, the Samaritans, from the tribe of Ephraim, had their own king. Just as the rulers in Judah were from the lineage of David, so too were the leaders in Samaria from the tribe of Ephraim, known colloquially as "Ephraim." We can turn to the prophet Hosea and his messages regarding Ephraim. It states, "Ephraim became like an unwise dove" (Hosea 7:11). Notice how he characterizes them as "an unwise dove." They departed from the temple and took refuge in the wilderness. Doves typically inhabit homes; however, Ephraim, my dove, abandoned the temple and dwelt in forests and deserts. This serves as the literal interpretation.

We must delve deeper into the narrative. It appears we need to elevate our understanding. Thus, we can liken all heretics to the sons of Ephraim. They turned away from the house of God, rejected David and his reign, and chose to dwell in desolation. They are associated with pigeons because, although they read the Scriptures, they misinterpret them. There is much to discuss. "The sons of Ephraim, stringing and shooting bows." Observe the heretics: where do those who have departed from Jerusalem and the temple of God, now residing in Samaria, design golden calves? In Bethel and in Dan (3 Samuel 12:29). Consider this: They crafted golden calves in Bethel, within the house of God. Within His house, they became idolatrous. They did this in Dan, bringing judgment upon themselves. They forsook the house of the Lord, consumed by their lust for gold. Some may wonder, "How did they create golden calves? For our treasure is indeed stored in clay vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7). The faithful in the Church are often sincere and straightforward, while the heretics are lured by the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato. Furthermore, note that worldly discourse is considered gold; their eloquent speech is viewed as such, as shown in "The golden cup of Babylon is in the hand of the Lord" (Jer. 51:7). This indicates that Babylon is a mixture. The world acts as a golden cup from which all nations partake. "The sons of Ephraim, stringing and shooting bows." Every heretic clearly exhibits superstitions. "Turned back in the day of war." They do not recognize Him who said, "My peace I give unto you, my peace I leave unto you" (John 14:27), yet they are quick to speak. They have many words, but they should heed what is written: "Waste the tribes that desire war" (Ps. 67:31). One might assert this is our perspective. Let us reflect on the order of things.

Thus, David remarks that the sons of Ephraim, in their archery, fled back in fear, retreating from the battlefront, and were, according to Theodoret, defeated. Theodoret and Eusebius interpret these verses as a forewarning of the idolatrous practices that would trap the tribe of Ephraim later on. When the ten tribes broke away from the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, and migrated to Samaria, Ephraim, as the leading tribe among them, encouraged the establishment of idols—specifically, golden calves in Samaria—leading them away from the worship of the true God. Consequently, it faced the same fate as its enemies, as indicated by the accusations from the book of Kings and other prophetic writings, which charge Ephraim with inciting the people’s idolatry. Hosea proclaimed, "Ephraim is an accomplice of idols" (Hos. 4:14), and noted that "Ephraim multiplied the altar of sacrifice" (Hos. 8:11). Likewise, Jeremiah stated, "I will turn you away from my face, as I have turned away your brethren— I will reject all the seed of Ephraim" (Jer. 7:15).

What led them to flee and expose themselves to their foes? Their failure to uphold their covenant with God and to adhere to His commandments. This transpired when they turned to worship the two golden calves they had made. Consequently, the prophet mournfully stated, “And they forgot His favours, and His wonders which He had shown them: the wonders which He had done before their fathers in the land of Egypt in the field of Taneos.”

The prophet further explains the reason for the punishment of the sons of Ephraim, noting, "They did not keep the covenant of God, neither did they want to walk in His law." Although this transgression was rampant among others, the prophet deliberately highlights the consequences experienced by the tribe of Ephraim, which, being greater in numbers, strength, and wealth, had become exceedingly corrupt and led much of the nation astray. The purpose was to alert the general populace, warning them against being deceived by the allure and prestige of the Ephraimites. Thus, he does not criticize them for a trivial offense, but rather for disregarding the entirety of the law and violating the covenant. He emphasizes the covenant first, to indicate that he refers not only to moral conduct but also to the full spectrum of divine service, faith, prayer, and righteousness, which formed the basis of their adoption by God. The sons of Ephraim are labeled as covenant-breakers because they failed to uphold the commitments of their covenant with God. The mention of the law is crucial since it embodies the agreement they violated. The severity of their sin is underscored by the phrase "not wishing," which indicates that their failure was not due to ignorance or a misguided passion, but rather a willful and malicious defiance of God's sacred covenant. Such evil was truly monstrous and unique to the Israelites; it seems improbable that Satan could so enchant them to turn from God, to whom they owed so much, unless they had deliberately chosen to forget the multitude of miracles that should have kept them anchored in obedience and reverence. To eliminate any excuses for their wrongdoing, the prophet recounts these miracles in a way that reflects their extraordinary nature, so striking that they could not have been easily forgotten. Yet, the Israelites chose to willfully shut their eyes to prevent seeing the splendor of God manifest within those signs.

While the lessons within this psalm may have initially served the Jewish people, they are now directed toward the faithful followers of Christ; the old covenant foreshadows the new. The Saviour implores His followers to listen attentively, lest they risk experiencing the same downfall as the earlier Jewish generation that did not heed God's commands. He instructs them to diligently investigate the teachings of the Gospel and to receive prophecy with heartfelt sincerity. Despite their strength, the Jews faltered during the Passion of Christ due to their unbelief. The tribe of Ephraim, particularly disloyal to God, succumbed to the idolatry of the golden calf, leading the other tribes astray. Because of this betrayal, God stripped them of their valor; despite their proficiency in archery, they became timid, retreated, and were ultimately defeated in battle. Consequently, they were exiled and dispersed among the Gentiles. Yet God showed mercy to the Jews; though He recognized their complete surrender to worldly wisdom and their refusal to repent, His great compassion prevented Him from annihilating all of them in the wilderness, granting them a reprieve. Humanity is characterized by its passions and mortal frailty. The Spirit departs from man and does not return until the second coming.