Psalms 78:58

KJV

For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

KJV (with Strong's)

For they provoked him to anger {H3707}{H8686)} with their high places {H1116}, and moved him to jealousy {H7065}{H8686)} with their graven images {H6456}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They provoked him with their high places and made him jealous with their idols.

Berean Standard Bible

They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.

American Standard Version

For they provoked him to anger with their high places, And moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:58 stands as a poignant indictment within a sprawling historical psalm, recounting Israel's persistent rebellion against God's unwavering faithfulness. This verse specifically highlights two pervasive forms of their idolatry—the establishment of "high places" and the worship of "graven images"—which directly provoked God's righteous anger and holy jealousy. It underscores the profound breach of covenant that occurred when Israel turned from their exclusive devotion to the one true God, choosing instead to engage in the abominable practices of the surrounding pagan nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping didactic psalm, serving as a historical recounting intended to instruct future generations about God's mighty acts of deliverance and Israel's repeated failures. The psalm meticulously details the nation's journey from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, their entry into the Promised Land, and their subsequent spiritual decline. Verses 56-64 describe Israel's apostasy after settling in Canaan, specifically mentioning their testing of God, their failure to keep His testimonies, and their turn to idolatry. Verse 58, therefore, functions as a direct explanation for God's subsequent abandonment of the tabernacle in Shiloh and the giving of His people into captivity, as detailed in the verses that follow [Psalms 78:60-61](/psalms/78-60 "Psalms 78:60-61 - God Abandons Shiloh"). It is a pivotal statement explaining the divine judgment that followed their unfaithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "high places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) and "graven images" (Hebrew: _pesilim_) were prevalent features of Canaanite religion, which Israel encountered upon entering the land. Canaanite worship often involved fertility cults, child sacrifice, and various immoral practices conducted at elevated sites, both natural hills and man-made platforms. Despite God's explicit commands to destroy these sites and their idols [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites"), Israel frequently adopted these practices, often blending them with the worship of Yahweh, leading to syncretism. This was a direct violation of the first two commandments of the Decalogue, which demanded exclusive worship of God and prohibited the making of idols [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Two Commandments"). The persistent presence and use of high places and images throughout the period of the Judges and the Monarchy (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Judah's Idolatry Under Rehoboam")) attest to the deep-seated nature of this spiritual problem.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it highlights **Idolatry as a Profound Provocation**: The act of worshipping false gods or creating physical representations of deities was not merely a ritualistic error but a direct affront to God's holiness and a betrayal of the covenant relationship. It "provoked" His anger because it denied His unique sovereignty and exclusive claim over His people. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Righteous Jealousy**: God was "moved him to jealousy." This is not human envy, but a divine attribute (often described as _qina'_) that signifies His absolute demand for exclusive devotion from His covenant people. As the only true God, He will not tolerate rivals or divided allegiance [Deuteronomy 5:9](/deuteronomy/5-9 "Deuteronomy 5:9 - God is a Jealous God"). This jealousy stems from His perfect love and His commitment to the purity of His relationship with Israel. Lastly, the verse implicitly points to the **Consequences of Disobedience**: God's anger and jealousy are not arbitrary but are righteous responses to Israel's persistent spiritual unfaithfulness, which inevitably led to divine judgment and suffering, a pattern vividly illustrated throughout the psalm and the historical books of the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Provoked (Hebrew, כעס, _ka'as'_):** This verb means "to be angry," "to vex," "to irritate," or "to provoke." When applied to God, it indicates a righteous displeasure or indignation arising from human sin and rebellion. It suggests that Israel's actions were not accidental but a deliberate and persistent source of offense, stirring God's holy wrath.
* **High places (Hebrew, במות, _bamot'_):** These were cultic sites, often elevated, used for pagan worship. While some "high places" were initially used for legitimate Yahwistic worship before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, the term almost universally carries a negative connotation in the Old Testament, referring to illicit, syncretistic, or purely pagan altars where abominable practices were carried out. Their proliferation indicated a widespread spiritual compromise.
* **Graven images (Hebrew, פסילים, _pesilim'_):** This term refers to idols carved from wood or stone, or cast from metal. These were physical representations of false gods, explicitly forbidden by the second commandment. Their presence signified a direct rejection of God's invisible and incomparable nature, and a descent into pagan polytheism or syncretism.
* **Jealousy (Hebrew, קנאה, _qin'ah'_):** When attributed to God, this is a holy and righteous zeal that demands exclusive devotion. It is not the petty, insecure jealousy of humans, but a passionate intolerance of rivals to His rightful worship. It stems from His covenant love and His absolute holiness, signifying His protective care for His people and His glory, which He will not share with another.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they provoked him to anger":** This clause directly attributes God's righteous indignation to the actions of "they," referring to the Israelites. Their consistent turning away from God, despite His faithfulness, was not a passive failing but an active, deliberate "provoking" that stirred His holy wrath. This anger is a just response to covenant infidelity and spiritual rebellion.
* **"with their high places":** Here, the specific means of provocation is identified. The "high places" represent the illicit, syncretistic, and often morally corrupt worship sites adopted from Canaanite practices. By engaging in worship at these locations, Israel directly defied God's commands to worship Him alone in the prescribed manner and place, effectively sharing their allegiance with false gods.
* **"and moved him to jealousy":** This phrase further elaborates on God's emotional response. Beyond anger, He was "moved to jealousy." This divine jealousy is a profound expression of His exclusive claim over His people. Just as a faithful spouse demands exclusive loyalty, God, as Israel's covenant Lord, passionately desires and demands their undivided worship, viewing any turning to other gods as spiritual adultery.
* **"with their graven images":** This second specific means of provoking God's jealousy reinforces the first. The "graven images" were the physical manifestations of their idolatry, concrete symbols of their betrayal. The act of creating and bowing down to these idols was a direct violation of God's command against idolatry, symbolizing their spiritual harlotry and their rejection of God's unique identity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the description of God being "provoked to anger" and "moved to jealousy." These human emotions are attributed to God to help the reader grasp the intensity and righteousness of His divine reaction to Israel's sin, though God's emotions are perfect and holy, unlike human imperfections. **Synonymous Parallelism** is central to the verse's structure, where "provoked him to anger with their high places" is mirrored by "moved him to jealousy with their graven images." The two clauses express the same core idea—God's righteous indignation over Israel's idolatry—using different but related terms, thereby reinforcing the gravity of their actions and the consistency of God's response. Furthermore, **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** can be seen in "high places" and "graven images" standing not just for physical objects or locations, but for the entire system of idolatrous worship and covenant breaking that characterized Israel's unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:58 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of idolatry as a direct affront to God's holiness and a betrayal of the covenant relationship. It is not merely a ritualistic error but a spiritual adultery that provokes the righteous anger and holy jealousy of God, who demands exclusive worship from His people. This verse underscores the fundamental truth that God's identity as the one true God necessitates His absolute sovereignty and His intolerance of rivals. His "jealousy" is a manifestation of His perfect love and His commitment to the purity of His relationship with His creation, particularly His chosen people. When humanity turns to anything or anyone else for ultimate security, identity, or salvation, it diminishes God's rightful place and invites His just judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 32:16-21](/deuteronomy/32-16 "Deuteronomy 32:16-21 - God's Jealousy and Vengeance")
* [Ezekiel 8:3-6](/ezekiel/8-3 "Ezekiel 8:3-6 - Abominations in the Temple")
* [Hosea 4:12-13](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12-13 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern believers may not literally erect "high places" or carve "graven images" of wood and stone, the principle of Psalms 78:58 remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry in our contemporary context often takes more subtle, yet equally destructive, forms. Anything that occupies the supreme place in our hearts, anything we trust in more than God, anything that consumes our primary affection, time, and resources, can become a modern "high place" or "graven image." This could be career success, financial security, personal relationships, social media validation, comfort, pleasure, or even our own self-image and autonomy. When these things displace God from His rightful throne in our lives, we effectively provoke His holy jealousy, not because He is insecure, but because He passionately desires our exclusive devotion for our own good and His glory. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify and dismantle any idols—visible or invisible—that compete for God's rightful place, ensuring that He alone receives our worship, trust, and ultimate allegiance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or "graven images" might exist in my life today, subtly or overtly competing for God's supreme place?**
* **How does understanding God's "jealousy" (His passionate desire for exclusive devotion) reframe my understanding of His love and holiness?**
* **What practical steps can I take to dismantle these modern idols and ensure God holds the rightful, primary place in my heart and life?**

### FAQ
**Why is God described as "jealous"? Isn't jealousy a negative emotion?**

Answer: When applied to God, "jealousy" (Hebrew: _qin'ah_) is a holy and righteous attribute, distinct from the petty, insecure, or envious jealousy often associated with human beings. God's jealousy stems from His perfect nature and His covenant relationship with His people. It signifies His passionate zeal for His own glory and His absolute demand for exclusive devotion. Because He is the one true God, infinitely worthy of all worship, He cannot tolerate rivals or divided allegiance. His jealousy is a protective love that guards the purity of His relationship with His people, ensuring they find their ultimate satisfaction and security in Him alone. It is a manifestation of His holiness, demonstrating that He will not share His glory with another [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God Will Not Share His Glory"). He is indeed "a jealous God" [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - The Lord, Whose Name Is Jealous"), not because He is insecure, but because His love is so complete that He desires all of us.

**What were "high places" and why were they so problematic?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) were elevated cultic sites, often natural hills or man-made mounds, used for religious worship. In the ancient Near East, they were commonly associated with Canaanite fertility cults, where practices like ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and the worship of pagan deities like Baal and Asherah took place. For Israel, these sites were problematic for several reasons: Firstly, they represented a direct violation of God's command to destroy all pagan places of worship upon entering Canaan [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites"). Secondly, even when Israelites attempted to worship Yahweh at these sites, it often led to syncretism, blending true worship with pagan practices, which God strictly forbade. Thirdly, the existence of "high places" challenged the centralized worship prescribed by the Mosaic Law, which culminated in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. Their persistence throughout Israel's history (e.g., [1 Kings 14:23](/1_kings/14-23 "1 Kings 14:23 - Judah's Idolatry Under Rehoboam"); [2 Kings 23:8](/2_kings/23-8 "2 Kings 23:8 - Josiah Destroys High Places")) was a constant source of spiritual corruption and a symbol of Israel's unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:58, with its stark portrayal of Israel's idolatry provoking God's anger and jealousy, finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament narrative of Israel's persistent failure to maintain exclusive devotion to God, culminating in the judgment for their "high places" and "graven images," underscores humanity's inherent inability to perfectly obey God's commands and overcome the pull of idolatry. However, in Christ, the perfect Son, we see the complete and unwavering devotion that Israel failed to render. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, thereby taking away the sin that provoked God's wrath [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His atoning work, believers are cleansed from the spiritual defilement of all forms of idolatry, whether ancient or modern [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing from Dead Works"). Furthermore, Jesus inaugurates the New Covenant, where worship is no longer confined to physical "high places" or temples, but is offered "in spirit and truth" [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers"). The Holy Spirit empowers believers to put to death the "idolatry" of covetousness and other worldly desires [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things"), enabling them to truly worship God alone. Thus, Christ is not only the Lamb who removes the sin of idolatry but also the true Temple in whom God dwells, calling all people to turn from idols to serve the living and true God [1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9 - Turning from Idols to God"). In Him, God's righteous jealousy is satisfied, and His people are empowered to render the exclusive worship He rightfully deserves, anticipating the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow").

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

Deuteronomy 32:21

They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Leviticus 26:30

And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Deuteronomy 12:2

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

1 Kings 12:31

And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

Judges 2:20

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;