Psalm 78: A historical psalm

Psalm 78: A historical psalm

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm recounting historical events when God preserved his people, even in their disbelief, and purged them of unbelievers along the way.  The point is so that future generations will take these lessons to heart and that they will faithfully embrace the covenant.   1-8 – We must recount past deeds so that our children do not forget and fail to keep covenant commandments.    9-16 – The Ephraimites forgot God’s great deeds of the past and turned back on the day of battle.   17-31 – The people sinned against God during the Exodus despite his provision for them during their journey.   32-39 – God showed compassion after compassion to the people of Exodus, but they sinned even more.   40-55 – Remembering the plagues in Egypt and how God freed them from slavery, the people forgot and continued to rebel and to grieve God.   56-64 – The people tested and rebelled against God in the promised land.  They made and worshipped idols.     65-72 – Finally, God rejected all and chose the Tribe of Judah, Mount Zion.  God choose David to be king.

Psalm 77: Is a community lament

Psalm 77 is a community lament, perhaps because the people were suffering under God’s anger for some unfaithfulness.  Each person singing acknowledges that they are part of the congregation and that their individual well-being is bound up with the well-being of the whole congregation.   1-3 – I cry aloud to God in the day of my trouble.  I cry, moan, meditate, and faint, with my hand outstretched.   4-9 – Has God forgotten to be gracious?  I consider the days of old when God was gracious.    10-20 – Now an appeal to what God has done in the past for his people, remembering God’s deeds, wonders, and works to preserve and to save his people.

Psalm 76: A hymn celebrating Zion

Psalm 76 is a hymn celebrating Zion as the place God has chosen for his people and his Temple. The people sing at the privilege of going to Zion and there worshipping God. 1-2 – God has made his abode in Zion. 3-9 – No one can stand against God on Zion. God rebukes the Gentile invaders. 10-12 – All the people should praise God and bring him gifts for his saving power to protect, Zion, the city, the people and the Temple.

Psalm 75: A hymn of praise

Psalm 75 is a hymn of praise.  The psalm thanks God for the wonderful things he has done for Israel and celebrates that God is judge of all the earth and will one day put down the wicked and lift up the faithful.   1 – We give thanks to God and recount his wonderous deeds.   2-5 – God declares that at the set time he will judge the earth, rebuking the boastful and the wicked.   6-8 – It is God who executes judgment, lifting up the faithful and putting down the wicked.  All the wicked of the earth will be put down.     9-10 – And the singer will declare God’s praises forever.

Psalm 74: A Cry of Anguish

Psalm 74 is a community lament, a cry of anguish over a disaster that has fallen on the people and destroyed the Temple of God. There is the plea that even though this may come from God in punishment, yet do not let the Gentiles scorn God for this tragedy. 1-3 – Why God did you let this tragedy happen to us? 4-8 – A description is presented of how the Temple of God, the dwelling place of god’s name, was destroyed. 9-11 – Puzzlement over why God is silent during this destruction. 12-17 – Recalling the past wonders that were worked by God and acknowledging that salvation comes from God. 18-23 –For the sake of the covenant, deliver us.