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Psalms 78:7

KJV

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Read it in context “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed…”
Start reading at Psalms 78:5 (Psalms 78:5 to Psalms 78:8). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

This collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.

  1. 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
  2. 78:6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
  3. 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
  4. 78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Psalms 78:5, Psalms 78:8, Luke 24:44, Acts 2:25, Acts 2:30, Acts 2:31

Who wrote it, and how we know

David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of Psalms

Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.

Psalms 1:1 Psalms 41:13 Psalms 150:6

FocusPrayer, the righteous, and the king

Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation

FocusDistress, kingship, and praise

Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
interpretation
Book III
Psalms 73:1–89:52 You are here · 78:7

FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions

Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
interpretation

FocusThe LORD's reign and Israel's history

Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
interpretation

FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise

Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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