Psalms 78:5

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

For he established {H6965}{H8686)} a testimony {H5715} in Jacob {H3290}, and appointed {H7760}{H8804)} a law {H8451} in Israel {H3478}, which he commanded {H6680}{H8765)} our fathers {H1}, that they should make them known {H3045}{H8687)} to their children {H1121}:

He raised up a testimony in Ya'akov and established a Torah in Isra'el. He commanded our ancestors to make this known to their children,

For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

For he established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which he commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children;

Psalm 78:5 serves as a foundational statement within a longer historical psalm, emphasizing God's direct revelation and the enduring command for His people to transmit divine truth across generations. The psalmist, Asaph, uses this verse to underscore the divine origin of Israel's law and the crucial responsibility of its preservation and perpetuation.

Context

Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical narrative, recounting God's dealings with Israel from the Exodus to the reign of David. It is an instructive psalm, designed to remind the people of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' repeated failures. Verse 5 establishes the premise for the entire psalm: God actively engaged with His people, giving them His precepts. This verse highlights the initial establishment of God's covenant and laws at Mount Sinai, setting the stage for the subsequent account of Israel's obedience and disobedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Authority: God Himself "established a testimony" and "appointed a law." This signifies that the moral and ceremonial codes of Israel were not human inventions but direct divine decrees, carrying ultimate authority. The "testimony" (Hebrew: 'edut) often refers to specific divine decrees, particularly those found in the Ten Commandments, while "law" (Hebrew: Torah) more broadly encompasses God's entire body of instruction and teaching.
  • Generational Transmission of Faith: The core command is "that they should make them known to their children." This highlights the vital importance of passing on spiritual heritage, divine commands, and the knowledge of God's mighty acts from one generation to the next. It underscores the responsibility of parents and elders to educate younger generations in the ways of the Lord, ensuring the continuity of faith and the covenant relationship.
  • God's Covenant with Israel: By establishing a testimony in Jacob and appointing a law in Israel, God formalized His unique relationship with His chosen people. This act of giving law was an act of grace, providing a framework for holy living and a pathway to knowing Him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV terms "testimony" and "law" translate two significant Hebrew words. 'Edut (עֵדוּת), translated as "testimony," often refers to the divine decrees, precepts, or even the Ten Commandments themselves, often connected to the Ark of the Covenant, sometimes called the Ark of the Testimony. Torah (תּוֹרָה), translated as "law," carries a broader meaning than just legal statutes; it signifies divine instruction, teaching, or guidance. Together, they emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's revealed will to Israel.

Practical Application

The principle established in Psalm 78:5 remains profoundly relevant today. The command to "make them known to their children" is a timeless call to intentional spiritual education within the family and community. It reminds believers of their duty to:

  • Prioritize God's Word: Recognize the divine origin and authority of Scripture, making it central to personal and family life.
  • Teach the Next Generation: Actively engage in teaching children and younger believers about God's character, His commands, and His redemptive history. This involves not just rote memorization but fostering a deep understanding and love for God's ways, echoing the call in Joel 1:3 to tell stories of God's works to generations.
  • Live Out the Truth: The most effective way to transmit spiritual heritage is through consistent, godly living that models obedience to God's law.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that faith is not merely a personal journey but a communal and generational legacy, entrusted to each generation to preserve and pass on.

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 6:7

    And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

  • Ephesians 6:4

    And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

  • Psalms 81:5

    This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] I understood not.

  • Deuteronomy 4:45

    These [are] the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt,

  • Genesis 18:19

    For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 38:19

    The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

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