They remembered not his hand, [nor] the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
They remembered {H2142}{H8804)} not his hand {H3027}, nor the day {H3117} when he delivered {H6299}{H8804)} them from the enemy {H6862}.
They didn't remember how he used his hand on the day he redeemed them from their enemy,
They did not remember His power— the day He redeemed them from the adversary,
They remembered not his hand, Nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary;
-
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.
Psalms 78:42 serves as a poignant verse within a historical psalm, lamenting Israel's persistent forgetfulness of God's mighty acts and His unwavering faithfulness. It highlights a critical flaw in their spiritual journey: their failure to recall the powerful interventions of God that had secured their freedom and protection.
Context
Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical narrative, attributed to Asaph, recounting the tumultuous relationship between God and Israel from the Exodus through the period of the judges. It is a didactic psalm, intended to teach future generations about God's steadfastness despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, rebellion, and spiritual amnesia. This particular verse pinpoints a core issue: the nation's inability or unwillingness to internalize the profound significance of God's past deliverances. The phrase "his hand" is a powerful metaphor for God's divine power, authority, and active intervention, particularly in delivering them from bondage in Egypt and subsequent enemies.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "hand" here is yad (יָד), which is frequently used in the Old Testament to symbolize power, strength, authority, and active intervention. To "remember not" (lo' zakaru, לֹא זָכָרוּ) suggests 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. This active "un-remembering" led to a lack of trust and a propensity to test God, as seen throughout the wilderness narratives.
Practical Application
For believers today, Psalms 78:42 serves as a potent warning against spiritual amnesia. We, too, are prone to forget God's past faithfulness in our own lives, especially during times of trial, doubt, or prosperity. Regularly recalling His deliverance, His provision, His answers to prayer, and His presence—our personal "Red Sea moments"—is vital for cultivating gratitude, strengthening faith, and fostering obedience. Just as Deuteronomy repeatedly admonishes Israel to remember God's commands and works, so too must we actively practice remembrance. This spiritual discipline helps us avoid repeating past mistakes, builds resilience, and allows us to live in continuous awareness of God's powerful "hand" at work in our lives.