Psalms 78:11

Psalms 78:11 (KJV)

And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.

Commentary:

This verse is part of a long historical psalm recounting the relationship between God and Israel, particularly focusing on the wilderness generation. The psalm serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting Israel's repeated rebellion and God's enduring patience and judgment.

• Historical and Cultural Context: The psalm is looking back at the time of the Exodus and the subsequent forty years in the wilderness. This generation had witnessed the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the provision of manna and water from the rock, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai – truly astounding "works" and "wonders." Yet, despite these undeniable demonstrations of God's power and faithfulness, they repeatedly doubted and disobeyed Him.
• Key Themes and Messages:
  • Forgetfulness: The core issue is Israel's spiritual amnesia. They forgot the mighty acts God had performed for them, which should have cemented their trust and obedience.
  • Ingratitude: Forgetting God's works leads directly to a lack of gratitude for His deliverance and provision.
  • Unbelief: This forgetfulness and ingratitude stem from a deeper issue of unbelief and a hard heart, as highlighted elsewhere in the psalm (see verse 8).
  • The Danger of History Repeating Itself: The psalm uses this history to warn future generations (and us) about the human tendency to forget God's past faithfulness when faced with new trials or temptations.
• Linguistic Insights: The Hebrew word for "forgat" (שָׁכַח - *shakhach*) means more than just a mental lapse; it implies a neglect or disregard, a failure to keep something in mind in a way that affects one's actions and attitude. "Works" (מַעֲשֶׂה - *ma'aseh*) are God's general actions, while "wonders" (פֶּלֶא - *pele'*) are His extraordinary, miraculous deeds. The pairing emphasizes that they forgot both His regular care and His spectacular interventions.
• Cross-references:
  • Deuteronomy 6:12 - A warning not to forget the Lord after entering the promised land.
  • Judges 2:10 - Describes a generation that arose after Joshua who did not know the Lord or the work He had done for Israel.
  • Hebrews 3:12 - Warns against an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
• Practical Application: This verse serves as a potent reminder for believers today. We too can easily forget God's past faithfulness in our lives, His answers to prayer, His guidance, and His provision. Regularly remembering and recounting God's "works" and "wonders" in our personal history and in the history of redemption (culminating in Christ) is vital for nurturing faith, gratitude, and steadfastness in our walk with Him.