Psalms 78:7

KJV

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

KJV (with Strong's)

That they might set {H7760}{H8799)} their hope {H3689} in God {H430}, and not forget {H7911}{H8799)} the works {H4611} of God {H410}, but keep {H5341}{H8799)} his commandments {H4687}:

Complete Jewish Bible

who could then put their confidence in God, not forgetting God's deeds, but obeying his mitzvot.

Berean Standard Bible

that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.

American Standard Version

That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:7 encapsulates the divine purpose behind the recounting of Israel's historical journey, emphasizing the profound pedagogical intent for future generations. This pivotal verse reveals God's desire for His people to anchor their trust and expectation solely in Him, to diligently recall His mighty acts of deliverance and judgment, and consequently, to live lives characterized by faithful obedience to His divine precepts. It serves as a foundational statement on the intergenerational transmission of faith, memory, and ethical living.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a "maskil" of Asaph, a didactic psalm designed to instruct. The preceding verses ([Psalms 78:1-6](/psalms/78-1 "Psalm 78:1-6 - Hear My Law, O My People")) establish the psalmist's intention to "utter dark sayings of old" (78:2), recounting God's law and testimonies given to Jacob and Israel. The explicit purpose is "that the generation to come might know them... that they might set their hope in God" (78:6-7). This verse, therefore, is the climax of the psalmist's stated educational goal, providing the *telos* (purpose) for the entire historical review that follows. The subsequent verses ([Psalms 78:8ff](/psalms/78-8 "Psalm 78:8 - Israel's Rebellious Forefathers")) immediately contrast this ideal with the historical failure of previous generations who "set not their heart aright" and "kept not the covenant of God."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As an Asaphite psalm, Psalm 78 likely originates from the Levitical guild responsible for temple music and instruction, possibly during the monarchical period. It serves as a national historical epic, recounting God's dealings with Israel from the Exodus and wilderness wanderings through the establishment of David's kingdom. The cultural practice of intergenerational storytelling was crucial for maintaining national identity and religious fidelity in ancient Israel. This psalm functions as a public liturgy or teaching tool, designed to prevent the repetition of past failures by reminding the current generation of God's consistent faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion. The emphasis on "forgetting" and "remembering" highlights a key cultural and spiritual battle: the tendency to drift from God when His past interventions are no longer actively recalled, a theme also prominent in [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Speeches").

* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to the psalm's overarching themes. The primary theme is **Divine Pedagogy and Human Responsibility**, where God's historical actions are presented as lessons for future obedience. It underscores the importance of **Memory and Remembrance** (Hebrew: *zakhar*) as a spiritual discipline, contrasting it with the spiritual amnesia that led to Israel's repeated apostasy (as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:11-14](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11-14 - Warning Against Forgetting God")). The concept of **Hope in God** (Hebrew: *tiqvah*) is presented not as a passive wish, but as an active, confident reliance on God's character and promises, which stands in stark contrast to the misplaced trust of the rebellious forefathers ([Psalms 78:8](/psalms/78-8 "Psalm 78:8 - Israel's Rebellious Forefathers")). Finally, **Obedience to God's Commandments** (Hebrew: *mitzvot*) is portrayed as the natural and necessary outcome of genuine hope and active remembrance, linking faith directly to ethical conduct, a principle echoed throughout the wisdom literature and prophetic books, such as [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Jesus' Words on Love and Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hope (Hebrew, _tiqvah'_):** This word signifies not merely a wish, but a strong, confident expectation or anticipation, often rooted in a firm foundation or a "cord" that holds fast. In this context, it implies a steadfast reliance and trust in God's reliability, promises, and character, serving as an anchor for the soul amidst life's uncertainties.
* **Forget (Hebrew, _shakach'_):** More than a simple lapse of memory, *shakach* denotes a deliberate neglect, a spiritual amnesia that leads to a disregard for God's past actions and a turning away from His covenant. It implies a failure to actively recall and internalize the lessons of history, resulting in spiritual decline and disobedience.
* **Works (Hebrew, _ma'asim'_):** This term refers to God's mighty deeds, actions, and accomplishments throughout Israel's history. These are not just abstract concepts but concrete, powerful interventions – acts of creation, deliverance, provision, and judgment – that reveal God's character, power, and faithfulness.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvot'_):** These are God's divine precepts, statutes, and instructions given to His people. They are not arbitrary rules but guidelines for living in covenant relationship with Him, designed to foster righteousness, justice, and a flourishing community. Keeping them signifies active obedience and alignment with God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That they might set their hope in God":** This clause reveals the primary goal of the historical recounting. "Setting hope" implies an active, intentional placement of trust and confident expectation. It is a directive for the new generation to learn from the past and place their ultimate security, reliance, and future orientation not in human strength, military might, or fleeting circumstances, but solely in the unchanging character and proven faithfulness of God. This hope is the antidote to the faithlessness of their ancestors.
* **"and not forget the works of God":** This is a crucial negative command, emphasizing the danger of spiritual amnesia. "The works of God" encompass His miraculous interventions, His provisions, His judgments, and His covenant faithfulness demonstrated throughout Israel's history (e.g., the Exodus, the manna, the giving of the Law). To "not forget" means to actively remember, recount, and internalize these historical realities, allowing them to shape one's understanding of God and one's response to Him. Forgetting these works inevitably leads to a diminished trust and a propensity to stray.
* **"but keep his commandments":** This final clause presents the practical, behavioral outcome of genuine hope and active remembrance. Obedience to God's *mitzvot* (commandments, precepts) is not an arbitrary burden but the natural and necessary expression of a heart that truly trusts God and remembers His mighty deeds. When hope is rightly placed and God's faithfulness is actively recalled, it cultivates a heart inclined to align its will and actions with His divine instruction, demonstrating love and fidelity to the covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The verse exhibits clear **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second and third clauses expand upon and complete the thought of the first. "Setting hope in God" is intrinsically linked to "not forgetting His works" and "keeping His commandments," forming a logical progression from internal disposition to external action. The structure also demonstrates **Didacticism**, as the entire psalm, and this verse in particular, is designed to teach and instruct. It serves as a moral and theological lesson, aiming to shape the future behavior of the audience. Furthermore, there's an element of **Covenant Language**, as the "works of God" and "commandments" directly relate to the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, underscoring the reciprocal obligations within that divine pact. The verse functions as a **Purpose Statement**, explicitly stating the *telos* or goal of the historical narrative that precedes and follows it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:7 articulates a profound theological truth: the intergenerational transmission of faith is contingent upon active remembrance of God's historical acts and a consequent commitment to His covenant commands. It underscores that true hope is not a passive sentiment but an active, memory-fueled trust that inevitably leads to obedience. This tripartite connection—hope, remembrance, and obedience—forms the bedrock of a healthy relationship with God, serving as a bulwark against the spiritual amnesia and rebellion that plagued previous generations. The verse highlights God's consistent desire for His people to live in full alignment with His will, not out of fear, but out of a deep-seated trust born from knowing His character and power as revealed in history.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children Diligently")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")
* [1 John 2:3-6](/1_john/2-3 "1 John 2:3-6 - Knowing God Through Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with distractions and fleeting promises, Psalms 78:7 offers a timeless blueprint for spiritual resilience and flourishing. It challenges us to actively cultivate a hope anchored in the immutable character of God, rather than in volatile circumstances or human achievements. This requires intentional remembrance—not just a casual recall, but a deep, meditative reflection on God's faithfulness in our personal histories and in the grand narrative of salvation. Just as Israel was prone to forget God's mighty hand and fall into disobedience, so too can individuals and communities today neglect God's past mercies, leading to a diminished hope and a weakening of commitment to His word. Therefore, cultivating a habit of spiritual remembrance and reflection on God's character and deeds is essential for maintaining a vibrant faith and a life of obedience. This verse calls us to be diligent stewards of our spiritual memory, ensuring that the legacy of God's faithfulness is not lost but actively passed on to future generations, empowering them to live lives of confident trust and joyful obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does actively remembering God's past "works" (in your life and in Scripture) strengthen your hope in Him today?**
* **What specific practices can you adopt to prevent spiritual "forgetfulness" and cultivate a deeper remembrance of God's faithfulness?**
* **In what areas of your life does your hope in God most directly translate into obedience to His commandments? Where might there be a disconnect?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "set their hope in God"?**

Answer: To "set their hope in God" (Hebrew: *tiqvah*) means to place one's complete trust, confident expectation, and ultimate security solely in God. It's an active, intentional choice to anchor one's future, well-being, and entire being in His character, promises, and power, rather than in human strength, worldly resources, or fleeting circumstances. This hope is not a passive wish but a firm conviction rooted in God's proven faithfulness throughout history, as detailed in the "works of God" recounted throughout [Psalm 78](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78 - God's Faithfulness and Israel's Rebellion"). It implies a steadfast reliance that withstands trials and uncertainties.

**Why is "not forgetting the works of God" so crucial?**

Answer: Not forgetting God's "works" (Hebrew: *ma'asim*) is crucial because these are the tangible demonstrations of His power, love, and faithfulness in history. Forgetting them, which is more than a simple lapse of memory but a deliberate neglect or disregard (Hebrew: *shakach*), leads to spiritual amnesia. This amnesia erodes trust, diminishes hope, and inevitably results in disobedience and rebellion against God, as tragically exemplified by Israel's repeated failures throughout the wilderness generation ([Numbers 14:1-12](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-12 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea")). Active remembrance, conversely, reinforces God's omnipotence and reliability, fostering a grateful heart that is motivated to obey His commands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:7, with its call to set hope in God, remember His works, and keep His commandments, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalm teaches Israel to look back at God's historical interventions, the New Covenant invites believers to look to the definitive "work of God" in the person and finished work of Christ. Our hope is now perfectly set in God because of the resurrection of Jesus, which guarantees our future and God's faithfulness ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope Through Christ's Resurrection")). We remember the "works of God" most profoundly through the cross and empty tomb, where God's ultimate power, love, and redemptive plan were fully displayed, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Furthermore, keeping God's commandments is no longer a burdensome legalistic endeavor but a joyful response of love to Christ, who perfectly embodied and fulfilled the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live lives of obedience, not by their own strength, but by the grace that flows from their hope in Christ and their remembrance of His saving work, making them truly "new creations" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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 5:29

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Psalms 103:2

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalms 40:4

Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Deuteronomy 8:11

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: