Psalms 78:42

KJV

They remembered not his hand, [nor] the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

KJV (with Strong's)

They remembered {H2142}{H8804)} not his hand {H3027}, nor the day {H3117} when he delivered {H6299}{H8804)} them from the enemy {H6862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They didn't remember how he used his hand on the day he redeemed them from their enemy,

Berean Standard Bible

They did not remember His power— the day He redeemed them from the adversary,

American Standard Version

They remembered not his hand, Nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:42 serves as a profound indictment within a didactic historical psalm, lamenting Israel's persistent spiritual amnesia regarding God's mighty interventions and unwavering faithfulness. It underscores a critical and recurring flaw in their covenant relationship: their failure to internalize, acknowledge, and respond obediently to the profound significance of God's powerful hand in delivering them from bondage and subsequent enemies, leading to a cyclical pattern of distrust, rebellion, and ingratitude despite continuous divine grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a lengthy _Maskil_ (a psalm of instruction) attributed to Asaph, meticulously recounting Israel's history from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the period of the judges, and the establishment of David's reign. Its primary didactic purpose is to instruct future generations about God's steadfast character and Israel's recurring pattern of unfaithfulness, warning against repeating the errors of the past. Verse 42 is situated within a section (verses 40-47) that vividly describes Israel's repeated rebellion and provocation of God in the wilderness, despite having witnessed His miraculous power and patient endurance. This verse functions as a concise summary of their core spiritual malady: a profound failure to remember and internalize God's past acts of salvation, which consistently led to a lack of trust, a spirit of complaint, and ultimately, disobedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm draws upon pivotal moments in Israel's foundational history, primarily focusing on their liberation from Egyptian slavery, their journey through the wilderness, and their eventual settlement in the Promised Land. The phrase "his hand" is a potent anthropomorphism, representing God's active, sovereign power, His direct intervention, and His protective presence, echoing the "strong hand" and "outstretched arm" by which He brought Israel out of Egypt ([Exodus 13:3](/exodus/13-3 "Exodus 13:3 - Remember the Day of Deliverance")). In ancient Israelite culture, "remembering" (Hebrew: _zakhar_) was far more than mere intellectual recall; it was a holistic act of the heart and will, involving internalizing, acknowledging, and responding obediently to past divine acts. To "remember not" was therefore a profound spiritual failure, indicating a severe lack of gratitude, trust, and covenant fidelity, inevitably leading to a repetition of past mistakes, as tragically illustrated throughout the wilderness narratives (e.g., [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Spiritual Amnesia and Ingratitude**, portraying Israel's recurring failure to recall God's past mercies and mighty works, particularly the dramatic [Red Sea deliverance](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - The Red Sea Deliverance") and subsequent victories over their oppressors. This deep-seated forgetfulness directly fueled their complaining, testing of God, and rebellion. Secondly, it implicitly underscores **God's Enduring Faithfulness and Patience**. Despite Israel's persistent forgetfulness, provocation, and disobedience, God consistently acted to save them, demonstrating His profound [longsuffering, compassion, and unwavering covenant faithfulness](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion and Grace"). Finally, by lamenting Israel's failure, the psalm emphasizes **The Critical Importance of Remembrance** as a foundational spiritual discipline for cultivating trust, gratitude, and obedience. The psalm itself serves as a powerful call to remember, functioning as a historical lesson designed to prevent future generations from repeating the same errors, echoing the repeated admonitions found throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/8 "Deuteronomy 8 - Remembering God's Provision") to remember God's provision and commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remembered (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This primitive root, meaning "to mark (so as to be recognized)," implies more than a simple mental recall. In the biblical context, to remember God's acts is to be mindful of them, to internalize their significance, and to respond with appropriate trust and obedience. The negative "remembered not" (Hebrew: _lōʾ zākārû_) signifies a profound spiritual failure—a deliberate or habitual refusal to acknowledge and act upon the knowledge of God's past interventions, leading to a lack of gratitude and a propensity to test His faithfulness.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This term refers to "the open hand," indicating power, means, and direction. In this context, "his hand" is a powerful metonymy or anthropomorphism representing God's divine power, authority, and active, sovereign intervention. It symbolizes His strength, protection, and direct involvement in the miraculous acts of deliverance from Egypt and subsequent enemies. To "remember not His hand" is to forget the very source and tangible manifestation of their salvation, security, and guidance.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _pâdâh'_):** This primitive root means "to sever," "to ransom," or generally "to release" and "preserve." It signifies a powerful, decisive act of liberation from bondage, danger, or oppression, often implying a cost or a strong intervention. Here, it refers to God's decisive acts of setting Israel free from Pharaoh's tyranny and protecting them from various adversaries throughout their journey to the promised land, highlighting His role as their Redeemer and Rescuer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They remembered not his hand":** This clause identifies the core spiritual problem: a profound failure of remembrance. Despite having witnessed extraordinary, undeniable demonstrations of God's power and active intervention—His "hand" at work in the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, the provision of manna and water from the rock—Israel failed to internalize these experiences. This forgetfulness led to a critical lack of trust and a recurring tendency to complain, doubt, and rebel when faced with new challenges, rather than relying on the God who had already proven Himself mighty and faithful.
* **"nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy":** This phrase specifies the object of their forgetfulness: the precise moments and historical events of God's saving acts. While primarily referring to the foundational deliverance of the Exodus from Egypt and the miraculous [Red Sea deliverance](/exodus/14-30 "Exodus 14:30 - The Red Sea Deliverance"), it also encompasses subsequent victories over enemies in the wilderness and during the conquest of Canaan. The emphasis on "the day" highlights the specific, undeniable historical reality of these interventions, making their spiritual amnesia all the more culpable. It implies a failure to connect their present circumstances and challenges with God's consistent, powerful faithfulness in the past.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 78:42 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metonymy** or **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "his hand," where a part (God's hand) represents the whole (God's power, active presence, and sovereign intervention). This vivid imagery makes God's mighty acts tangible and emphasizes His direct involvement in Israel's history. The psalm itself functions as a **Didactic Narrative**, using the recounting of historical events to teach profound moral and spiritual lessons. By detailing Israel's repeated failures and God's enduring patience, the verse, within the broader psalm, serves as a powerful **Cautionary Tale**, warning future generations against the dangers of spiritual amnesia, ingratitude, and unbelief. The overall structure of Psalm 78, though not explicit in this single verse, also utilizes **Repetition** of themes of Israel's rebellion and God's divine patience, reinforcing the cyclical nature of their unfaithfulness and God's steadfast love.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:42 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative by illustrating the perennial human struggle with spiritual amnesia and the enduring faithfulness of God. It highlights the inherent tension within the covenant relationship between God's steadfast love (_hesed_) and humanity's persistent propensity for forgetfulness, ingratitude, and rebellion. The psalm's lament over Israel's failure to remember God's delivering hand underscores a fundamental theological principle: genuine, living faith is nurtured by actively remembering God's past acts of grace and power. This remembrance is not merely intellectual recall but a holistic act of the heart that informs present trust, cultivates gratitude, and fuels future obedience. The verse reveals that the problem is not God's inability to deliver, but humanity's inability to consistently acknowledge and rely on His power, often leading to a cycle of testing God and experiencing His corrective discipline.

* [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Do Not Forget the Lord") - Moses repeatedly warns Israel, "Beware lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today."
* [Psalm 106:7](/psalms/106-7 "Psalm 106:7 - Israel's Rebellion in Egypt") - Another historical psalm explicitly states, "Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea."
* [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Warning Against Unbelief") - The New Testament explicitly uses Israel's wilderness rebellion and unbelief as a solemn warning for believers today not to harden their hearts and fall into the same pattern of disobedience and spiritual forgetfulness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:42 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine our own hearts for any signs of spiritual amnesia. In the relentless pace of modern life, or amidst the pressures of trials and uncertainties, we too are profoundly prone to forget God's past faithfulness, His specific interventions, and the countless ways His powerful "hand" has delivered us. This forgetfulness is not benign; it can subtly erode our gratitude, weaken our faith, and lead us to doubt God's power or goodness in our present circumstances. Actively remembering God's past provisions, His specific answers to prayer, His comfort in sorrow, His guidance through difficult seasons, and His unwavering presence is not merely nostalgic; it is a vital spiritual discipline that cultivates profound trust, strengthens resilience in adversity, and fuels joyful obedience. Just as ancient Israel was called to remember the Exodus, we are called to remember our own "Red Sea moments"—the times God has unmistakably shown up for us, providing salvation, healing, or guidance. This intentional practice helps us to avoid repeating cycles of distrust and enables us to live in continuous, grateful awareness of God's powerful, delivering hand at work in our lives, fostering a spirit of enduring worship and confident reliance on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some specific "days of deliverance" or undeniable instances of God's "hand" at work in your own life that you might be prone to forget or take for granted?**
* **How does forgetting God's past faithfulness impact your trust in Him during present challenges, uncertainties, or seasons of waiting?**
* **What practical, tangible steps can you take to cultivate a more intentional and consistent practice of spiritual remembrance in your daily life and spiritual disciplines?**
* **How does remembering God's unchanging character, as revealed in His past actions, shape your expectations for His future faithfulness and your response to His commands?**

### FAQ
**What does "remembered not" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In biblical Hebrew, "remembering" (Hebrew: _zakhar_) is not just a mental recall but a holistic act involving the mind, heart, and will. To "remember not" God's hand and deliverance means more than a simple lapse of memory; it implies a deliberate or habitual failure to acknowledge, internalize, and act upon the knowledge of God's past actions. It suggests a spiritual indifference, an active disregard, or even a rebellious suppression of truth that leads to a lack of trust and a propensity to test God, as seen throughout the wilderness narratives (e.g., [Exodus 17:7](/exodus/17-7 "Exodus 17:7 - Testing the Lord at Massah and Meribah")). It's a failure to let past divine acts inform and shape present behavior and future trust.

**What specific "deliverances" is the psalm referring to?**

Answer: The psalm primarily refers to the foundational deliverance of the Exodus from Egyptian bondage, including the miraculous plagues, the awe-inspiring crossing of the [Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Red Sea Divided"), and God's faithful provision and protection during the wilderness wanderings (e.g., the miraculous provision of [manna from heaven](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna from Heaven") and water from the rock). It also encompasses subsequent victories over various enemies as Israel journeyed towards and eventually entered the Promised Land, demonstrating God's consistent power to rescue His people from danger and oppression throughout their history.

**How does this psalm relate to the New Testament and Christian life?**

Answer: Psalm 78, and specifically verse 42, serves as a profound warning and a timeless lesson for New Testament believers. The author of [Hebrews](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Warning Against Unbelief") explicitly uses Israel's wilderness rebellion and unbelief as a cautionary tale, urging Christians not to harden their hearts as Israel did. Just as Israel was prone to forget God's mighty acts of physical deliverance, believers today can become spiritually complacent, forgetting God's ultimate grace in Christ and His ongoing faithfulness in their lives. The psalm calls us to remember the ultimate deliverance secured through Jesus Christ and to live in grateful obedience, trusting in the God who has already provided the greatest salvation from sin and death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:42, with its poignant lament over Israel's forgetfulness of God's delivering "hand," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound solution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "hand" of God that delivered Israel from Egypt and their earthly enemies is fully manifest in Christ, who is the very power and wisdom of God incarnate ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")). He is the ultimate Deliverer, rescuing humanity not merely from physical bondage or temporal adversaries, but from the far greater enemies of sin, death, and the dominion of darkness ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). While Israel repeatedly forgot God's mighty acts and broke His covenant, Christ perfectly remembered and accomplished the Father's will, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The New Covenant, established through His shed blood, directly addresses the deep-seated problem of spiritual amnesia by writing God's laws on our hearts and minds through the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant")), enabling a true, lasting, and transformative remembrance of His saving acts. In Christ, God's delivering hand is not just a past historical event to be recalled, but an ever-present reality, guaranteeing our eternal salvation, empowering us for faithful obedience, and ensuring that we never forget the immeasurable grace poured out at the cross.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 14:12

[Is] not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For [it had been] better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Judges 8:34

And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

Jeremiah 32:21

And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;

Psalms 78:11

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

Psalms 136:10

¶ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

Psalms 136:15

But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 106:7

Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked [him] at the sea, [even] at the Red sea.