Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

When he slew {H2026}{H8804)} them, then they sought {H1875}{H8804)} him: and they returned {H7725}{H8804)} and enquired early {H7836}{H8765)} after God {H410}.

When he brought death among them, they would seek him; they would repent and seek God eagerly,

When He slew them, they would seek Him; they repented and searched for God.

When he slew them, then they inquired after him; And they returned and sought God earnestly.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 78:34

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting the history of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of David's reign. It serves as a didactic poem, teaching future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion and forgetfulness. Verse 34 specifically falls within a section describing the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where they continually provoked God despite His miraculous provision and deliverance. The phrase "When he slew them" refers to the divine judgments (such as plagues or defeats) God brought upon the disobedient generation in the wilderness, aimed at correcting their rebellious hearts.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reactive Repentance: This verse highlights a recurring pattern in Israel's history: they would only seek God and "enquire early after God" when facing severe consequences or divine judgment. Their seeking was born out of fear and desperation, not genuine heartfelt devotion or a desire for true repentance. This is often termed "foxhole religion."
  • Divine Discipline: God's actions of "slew them" (or bringing severe discipline) were not arbitrary but were designed to bring His people back to Himself. Even in judgment, there was an underlying redemptive purpose – to prompt them to remember Him and His covenant. For more on God's discipline, see Hebrews 12:6.
  • Superficial Seeking: The earnestness implied by "enquired early" was often short-lived and lacked a transformation of the heart, as evidenced by their subsequent return to disobedience, a pattern highlighted throughout Psalm 78, particularly in Psalms 78:37.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "slew them" is harag, which means to kill or slay, indicating a severe and direct act of judgment from God. The phrase "sought him" comes from baqash, meaning to seek, search for, or desire. While it can denote earnest seeking, its context here implies a seeking born of necessity rather than devotion. "Enquired early" is from the Hebrew shachar, which means to seek early, diligently, or earnestly. This emphasizes the intensity of their seeking in the moment of distress, underscoring the contrast with their usual forgetfulness and rebellion.

Practical Application

Psalms 78:34 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the nature of our relationship with God.

  • Examine Your Motives: Do we primarily seek God only when facing hardship, illness, or crisis? Or do we cultivate a consistent, proactive relationship with Him in times of peace and prosperity? True faith involves seeking God out of love and devotion, not merely as a last resort. For a contrast, consider Jeremiah 29:13.
  • Learn from Discipline: When God allows difficulties or discipline in our lives, it's an opportunity to return to Him with a sincere heart, not just to escape the consequences. His discipline is an expression of His love, guiding us back to His path.
  • Cultivate Consistent Devotion: The verse challenges us to move beyond superficial or reactive spirituality towards a deep, abiding relationship with God that is not dependent on external circumstances.
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Cross-References

  • Hosea 5:15

    I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

  • Numbers 21:7

    Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

  • Judges 3:12

    ¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

  • Judges 3:15

    But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

  • Judges 3:8

    ¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

  • Judges 3:9

    And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

  • Judges 4:3

    And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.