Psalms 78:1

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 78:1 serves as the solemn opening to one of the longest and most historically significant psalms in the KJV Bible. Authored by Asaph, a chief musician and prophet, this verse immediately calls for deep attention to divine instruction.

Context

Psalm 78 is designated a "Maschil," a Hebrew term signifying an instructional or didactic psalm, intended to impart wisdom and understanding. It's a comprehensive historical narrative, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel from the Exodus through their wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the period of the Judges, and up to the reign of King David. The psalm highlights Israel's repeated rebellion and God's enduring patience and grace. This opening verse acts as a formal summons, setting the stage for the weighty lessons to be drawn from their national history.

Key Themes

  • Divine Instruction and Authority: The direct command, "Give ear, O my people, [to] my law," underscores that the message originates from God Himself, delivered through the psalmist Asaph. It is not mere human wisdom but divine revelation, carrying inherent authority. This "law" (Hebrew: Torah) is broader than just legal statutes; it refers to God's complete teaching, guidance, and instruction for His people.
  • The Imperative of Attentive Listening: The parallel phrases "Give ear" and "incline your ears" emphasize the critical need for active, intentional listening. It's a call to move beyond casual hearing to a posture of receptiveness and obedience, a theme echoed throughout Scripture regarding God's voice.
  • Covenant Relationship: Addressing Israel as "O my people" highlights the unique covenant relationship between God and His chosen nation. This relationship implies mutual obligations, with God's instruction being central to their well-being and continued blessing, as seen in Exodus 19:5.

Linguistic Insights

  • Maschil: The Hebrew term for "Maschil" (ืžึทืฉึฐื‚ื›ึดึผื™ืœ, maskil) literally means "one who causes to understand" or "instructive." It indicates that the psalm's primary purpose is to impart spiritual wisdom and insight, often through historical reflection.
  • Torah: The word translated "law" here is Torah (ืชึผื•ึนืจึธื”), which encompasses much more than just legal codes. It broadly refers to divine teaching, instruction, guidance, and revelation. It is the comprehensive body of God's truth and will for His people, designed to lead them to life and blessing, as highlighted in Proverbs 3:1.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 78:1 serves as a timeless reminder of the essential need to listen attentively to God's Word. Just as ancient Israel was called to heed divine instruction, we are called to incline our ears to the Scriptures, which contain God's "law" or teaching for us. This involves:

  • Reverent Engagement: Approaching the Bible not merely as a book but as the authoritative voice of God.
  • Active Listening: Moving beyond simply reading to truly understanding, meditating on, and applying its truths to our lives.
  • Learning from History: Recognizing that the historical accounts in Scripture, like those detailed in Psalm 78, are for our admonition and instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11). By understanding past failures and successes, we can navigate our own spiritual journeys more wisely.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 55:3

    Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.

  • Isaiah 51:4

    ยถ Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

  • Psalms 49:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:

  • Psalms 49:3

    My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:1

    ยถ And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:

  • 2 Chronicles 15:16

    And also [concerning] Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped [it], and burnt [it] at the brook Kidron.

  • Judges 5:3

    Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, [even] I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing [praise] to the LORD God of Israel.
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