Psalms 78:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A maskil of Asaf: Listen, my people, to my teaching; turn your ears to the words from my mouth.

Berean Standard Bible:

Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.

American Standard Version:

Give ear, O my people, to my law: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Maschil^{H4905}{H8688)} of Asaph^{H623}. Give ear^{H238}{H8685)}, O my people^{H5971}, to my law^{H8451}: incline^{H5186}{H8685)} your ears^{H241} to the words^{H561} of my mouth^{H6310}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 78:1

Psalm 78:1 is the opening verse of a lengthy psalm attributed to Asaph, who was a prominent Levite musician and seer during the reign of King David. The psalm is categorized as a "Maschil," which suggests it is a contemplative or instructive piece intended to impart wisdom. In this verse, Asaph calls upon the people of Israel to listen attentively to his teachings, which are presented as divine instruction or "law." The historical context of this psalm is rooted in the period after the Exodus and before the establishment of the monarchy, a time when the Israelites were frequently rebelling against God and forgetting His commandments and the miracles He performed for their ancestors.

The themes of Psalm 78:1 include the importance of remembering and adhering to God's teachings, the necessity of passing down religious and historical traditions to future generations, and the role of spiritual leaders in guiding the community. Asaph's appeal for the people to "incline your ears to the words of my mouth" underscores the urgency of paying heed to God's message and the role of oral tradition in the religious life of Israel. This verse sets the stage for a historical recounting of God's mighty acts and the people's responses, which serves as both a warning against disobedience and an encouragement to maintain faithfulness to God's covenant.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4905
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַשְׂכִּיל
   Transliteration: maskîyl
   Pronunciation: mas-keel'
   Description: from שָׂכַל; instructive, i.e. a didactic poem; Maschil.
   
2. Strong's Number: H623
   There are 311 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָסָף
   Transliteration: ʼÂçâph
   Pronunciation: aw-sawf'
   Description: from אָסַף; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first; Asaph.
   
3. Strong's Number: H238
   There are 389 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָזַן
   Transliteration: ʼâzan
   Pronunciation: aw-zan'
   Description: a primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from אֹזֶן; to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen; give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See אָזַן.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8451
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹרָה
   Transliteration: tôwrâh
   Pronunciation: to-raw'
   Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5186
   There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָטָה
   Transliteration: nâṭâh
   Pronunciation: naw-taw'
   Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield.
   
7. Strong's Number: H241
   There are 652 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹזֶן
   Transliteration: ʼôzen
   Pronunciation: o'-zen
   Description: from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show.
   
8. Strong's Number: H561
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵמֶר
   Transliteration: ʼêmer
   Pronunciation: ay'-mer
   Description: from אָמַר; something said; answer, [idiom] appointed unto him, saying, speech, word.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.