Psalms 78:4

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

We will not hide {H3582}{H8762)} them from their children {H1121}, shewing {H5608}{H8764)} to the generation {H1755} to come {H314} the praises {H8416} of the LORD {H3068}, and his strength {H5807}, and his wonderful works {H6381}{H8737)} that he hath done {H6213}{H8804)}.

we will not hide from their descendants; we will tell the generation to come the praises of ADONAI and his strength, the wonders that he has performed.

We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.

We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah, And his strength, and his wondrous works that he hath done.

Psalm 78:4 is a powerful declaration of the responsibility to transmit spiritual truth and the history of God's faithfulness to future generations. It emphasizes the importance of preserving and sharing the divine narrative, ensuring that the praises, strength, and wonderful works of the LORD are never forgotten.

Context

Psalm 78 is an historical psalm, often attributed to Asaph, serving as a didactic poem. It recounts the history of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of David's reign, highlighting God's constant faithfulness despite Israel's repeated rebellion and forgetfulness. This introductory verse sets the primary purpose of the psalm: not merely to recount history, but to ensure that this vital spiritual heritage is passed down. It underscores the covenant community's obligation to educate its offspring about divine acts and commands, a foundational theme in ancient Israelite society.

Key Themes

  • Generational Transmission of Faith: The core message is the imperative to pass on spiritual knowledge and experience from one generation to the next. This isn't just about facts, but about fostering a living faith.
  • Remembering God's Works: The verse calls for remembering and proclaiming God's "praises," "strength," and "wonderful works." This includes His miraculous interventions, His might in deliverance, and His character revealed through His actions.
  • Parental and Communal Responsibility: It highlights the duty of parents and the community to diligently teach children about God's faithfulness and His mighty deeds, actively countering spiritual amnesia. This echoes the command found in Deuteronomy 6:7.
  • Praise and Worship: The ultimate goal of this historical recounting is to inspire continued praise and adoration of the LORD, recognizing His sovereignty and grace.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "We will not hide [them] from their children" conveys a strong commitment to transparency and active teaching. The Hebrew word for "praises" (tehillot) refers to acts or songs of praise. "Strength" (koach) denotes power or might, emphasizing God's omnipotence. "Wonderful works" (niphlaot) signifies extraordinary, miraculous, or astonishing deeds, specifically those that evoke awe and demonstrate divine intervention. These terms collectively paint a picture of a God who is actively involved in human history, performing deeds worthy of perpetual remembrance and declaration.

Related Scriptures

  • Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons."
  • Psalm 145:4: "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." This verse beautifully complements Psalm 78:4, emphasizing the continuity of declaration.
  • Joel 1:3: "Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." This prophetic call reinforces the multi-generational mandate.

Practical Application

Psalm 78:4 provides a timeless mandate for believers today. It calls us to be intentional in passing on our faith, not just through formal teaching, but through storytelling, shared experiences, and living out our convictions. For parents, it's a reminder of the vital role in discipling children within the home. For the church, it underscores the importance of intergenerational ministry and robust Christian education. By recalling God's "wonderful works" in our own lives and in the history of salvation – culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – we ensure that the legacy of faith continues, inspiring future generations to praise the LORD and trust in His unfailing strength.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 11:19

    And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

  • Psalms 145:4

    One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

  • Psalms 145:6

    And [men] shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

  • Joel 1:3

    Tell ye your children of it, and [let] your children [tell] their children, and their children another generation.

  • Psalms 71:17

    O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

  • Psalms 71:18

    Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

  • Deuteronomy 4:9

    Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

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