Psalms 78:59

Context

Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting the journey of the nation of Israel from their deliverance out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. It serves as a didactic poem, teaching future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's persistent cycle of rebellion, forgetfulness, and idolatry. Verse 59 marks a critical turning point, summarizing God's reaction to Israel's repeated provocations, specifically their worship of idols and their breaking of His covenant, as detailed in the preceding verses (Psalm 78:56-58). Despite God's miraculous provisions and enduring patience, their unfaithfulness led to divine displeasure.

Key Themes

• Divine Displeasure and Wrath: This verse powerfully conveys God's righteous anger as a just response to persistent sin and rebellion. His wrath is not arbitrary but a holy reaction to the violation of His covenant and the rejection of His goodness.
• Consequences of Disobedience: Israel's actions had severe repercussions. God's "wroth" and "abhorred" state indicates a withdrawal of His favor and a readiness to bring judgment upon them for their unfaithfulness.
• The Seriousness of Covenant Breach: The strong language highlights the gravity of breaking a sacred covenant with God. Israel's idolatry and rebellion were a direct affront to their unique relationship with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "he was wroth" and "greatly abhorred" carry significant weight in the original Hebrew:

• "Wroth" (Hebrew: ḥārāh - חָרָה): This word implies a burning or kindling of anger, indicating intense indignation and displeasure. It's a strong expression of divine fury against sin.
• "Greatly abhorred" (Hebrew: māʾas - מָאַס): This term means to reject, despise, loathe, or cast off. It signifies a profound divine rejection of their conduct and the spiritual state that led to it. While it doesn't mean God entirely abandoned His ultimate promises to them (as seen in His later mercy), it powerfully expresses His strong disapproval and the temporary withdrawal of His active favor due to their actions.

Practical Application

Psalm 78:59 serves as a sober reminder for all generations:

• The Gravity of Sin: This verse underscores that God takes sin seriously, especially rebellion against His clear commands and the covenant relationship He offers. It reminds us that our actions have consequences in our relationship with God.
• Learning from History: Just as the psalm intended for Israel, we are called to learn from the historical mistakes of others. We should strive to trust and obey God, avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual complacency, forgetfulness, and idolatry that provoked God's wrath in the past.
• God's Righteous Character: While God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just. This verse highlights His holy nature, demonstrating that He is not indifferent to unfaithfulness or rebellion against His divine will. It reinforces the importance of a heart devoted to God, as emphasized in passages like Deuteronomy 11:26-28, which outlines the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience.