Psalm 78:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

NIV: God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

NASB: The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their strongest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel.

CSB: God’s anger flared up against them, and he killed some of their best men. He struck down Israel’s fit young men.

NLT: the anger of God rose against them, and he killed their strongest men. He struck down the finest of Israel’s young men.

KJV: The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

NKJV: The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel.

Psalm 78:9–64 is a long summary of God's work on behalf of Israel. God freed the people from slavery in Egypt, guiding them day and night. He brought them across the Red Sea while drowning their Egyptian attackers. Despite their complaints and bitterness, the Lord provided food and water. When Israel finally entered the Promised Land, He empowered them to take it from the depraved Canaanites. Even then, the people betrayed their God. This led to the cycle of rescue and defeat described in the book of Judges.

This psalm begins with a call for Israel to remember. In fact, they are told to remember remembering: God intends them to look back on their history during hard times. After setting this scene, Asaph gives a detailed list of ways in which the Lord has dealt with Israel. This includes punishment for blatant sin, but also consistent protection and care. Every time Israel sinned, God preserved and restored them, no matter how far they fell.

Asaph's name is associated with several psalms that start with worry (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:1; 77:2–3; 79:5) and end in confidence (Psalm 73:16–18; 74:12; 77:10–11; 79:13). This song is an extensive list of reasons why the people of Israel should trust the Lord, even in hard times. When Israel was freed from Egypt by God's power, they continued to be stubborn and disobedient. Even so, the Lord cared for them. Those events are the basis of Psalm 78.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 11:05:29 AM