Psalm 78 (summary): O my people hear my teaching!

This is another psalm of Asaph which is the second longest, after psalm 119, with 72 verses. This is a teaching psalm passing on to all generations God's faithful dealings with his people despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Asaph says initially that parents should teach their children Israel's history so that the children might trust in God, remember his mighty works and not repeat their past rebellious attitudes. Asaph then goes on to cite Ephraim as a negative example of past unfaithfulness who forgot their covenant with God. Asaph then goes on to recall God's mighty acts bringing his people out of Egypt, opening the Red Sea, leading them with cloud and fire and giving them water from the rock. However the Israelites soon forgot and doubted, but still God sent them the bread of angels and quails, but whilst it was still in their mouths God's anger rose against them because of their disbelief. Asaph goes on to remind people of the constant ups and downs of the Israelites between backsliding, punishment, superficial repentance and then slipping back to square one! In all of this topsy turvy process God's mercy prevailed. Asaph then goes back to Egypt reminding people of the 10 plagues and the subsequent leading into Canaan. Asaph's teaching goes on to remind about times of past apostacy when they reverted to idolatry and paganism which brought God to abandon the tabernacle at Shiloh. The psalm then closes with hope with the choice of Judah and David. David was the shepherd of Israel who with skill and integrity led the people of God.