Psalms 78:71

KJV

From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

From following {H310} the ewes great with young {H5763}{H8802)} he brought {H935}{H8689)} him to feed {H7462}{H8800)} Jacob {H3290} his people {H5971}, and Israel {H3478} his inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

from tending nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Ya'akov his people, Isra'el his heritage.

Berean Standard Bible

from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.

American Standard Version

From following the ewes that have their young he brought him, To be the shepherd of Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 78:71 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in elevating David from the humble, yet demanding, role of a shepherd to the divinely appointed leader of His chosen people, Israel. This verse, nestled within a psalm recounting Israel's historical relationship with God, serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting God's faithful provision of a shepherd-king who would care for His cherished inheritance with the same diligence and love David showed his flock. It underscores the divine call, the preparation through humble service, and the pastoral nature of true leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, an _asaph_ (instructional) psalm that recounts Israel's history from the Exodus through the establishment of Davidic kingship. The psalm serves as a didactic narrative, reminding the people of God's consistent faithfulness despite their repeated rebellion and idolatry. Verses 67-72 specifically focus on God's rejection of the northern tribes (Ephraim) and His subsequent choice of Judah, Mount Zion, and ultimately, David. This verse, [Psalms 78:71](/psalms/78-71 "Psalms 78:71 - God Chooses David"), marks the culmination of this historical overview, presenting David as God's chosen leader who would shepherd His people, a stark contrast to the unfaithful leadership and disobedience that characterized earlier periods.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life began as a shepherd in Bethlehem, a common occupation in ancient Israel that was far from glamorous but essential for survival. Shepherds were responsible for the protection, guidance, and nourishment of their flock, often facing dangers from wild animals and thieves. Tending "ewes great with young" specifically implies a heightened level of care and vigilance, as these animals and their offspring were particularly vulnerable. This background was not merely incidental; it was God's training ground for David. The skills of patience, courage, vigilance, and compassionate care cultivated in the fields prepared him for the far greater responsibility of leading a nation, demonstrating God's practice of raising leaders from unexpected, humble origins.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes central to biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Call and Providence**, emphasizing that David's ascent was not due to human ambition or lineage but solely to God's sovereign will and active intervention ("he brought him"). This highlights God's direct involvement in human affairs and His ability to raise up leaders according to His perfect plan. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Humility to Leadership**, demonstrating God's preference for choosing the overlooked and humble to accomplish His great purposes, thereby ensuring that power and authority are recognized as originating from Him, not from human status or strength. This principle resonates deeply with passages like [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Lowly"), where God chooses the "foolish things of the world to shame the wise." Finally, the imagery of "feeding" Jacob and Israel introduces the crucial theme of **Pastoral Leadership**. The Hebrew verb for "feed" (רָעָה, _ra'ah_) encompasses the full spectrum of a shepherd's duties—to guide, protect, guard, and nourish—portraying the ideal ruler as one who cares for his people with the same diligence and love a shepherd has for his flock. This foundational concept of God as the Great Shepherd is beautifully articulated in [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **brought (Hebrew, _laqach'_):** This verb signifies a decisive, intentional act of taking or bringing. It emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in David's life, indicating that David's elevation was not a matter of chance or human maneuvering, but a direct, purposeful divine intervention. God actively "took" David from his pastoral duties and "brought" him into the role of king.
* **feed (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** Far more comprehensive than mere sustenance, _ra'ah_ is the verb for "to shepherd" or "to pasture." It encapsulates the full range of a shepherd's responsibilities: guiding the flock to green pastures and still waters, protecting them from predators, tending to their wounds, and generally caring for their well-being. When applied to a king, it transforms the concept of leadership from mere rule to compassionate, protective, and nurturing oversight.
* **inheritance (Hebrew, _nachalah'_):** This term refers to a possession, an allotted portion, or an inheritance, often with strong covenantal connotations. Calling Israel God's "inheritance" underscores their unique and cherished status as His chosen people, a possession He values and protects. David was entrusted with the sacred responsibility of caring for God's most precious possession.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"From following the ewes great with young":** This phrase vividly depicts David's previous humble occupation. "Ewes great with young" highlights the most vulnerable and demanding aspect of shepherding, requiring exceptional patience, vigilance, and gentle care. This detail emphasizes the profound contrast between David's initial low status and his future exalted position, while also subtly suggesting the qualities God cultivated in him.
* **"he brought him":** This is the pivotal clause, unequivocally attributing David's transition to divine agency. The "he" refers to God, the ultimate subject of the psalm's historical narrative. It underscores God's sovereign choice and active intervention, demonstrating that David's kingship was not a human achievement but a divine appointment.
* **"to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance":** This clause defines David's new, divinely appointed mission. "Feed" (as _ra'ah_) signifies shepherding in its fullest sense—to guide, protect, and provide for. "Jacob his people" and "Israel his inheritance" are parallel expressions referring to the same entity: God's covenant people. This dual designation emphasizes their special relationship with God as His chosen nation and treasured possession, highlighting the immense responsibility and sacred trust placed upon David to care for them as God's representative.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 78:71 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where David's past role as a literal shepherd is extended metaphorically to his future role as king. The act of "feeding" Israel is not about providing food but about shepherding, guiding, and protecting the nation. This creates a powerful image of leadership as selfless, compassionate care. **Parallelism** is evident in the phrasing "Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance," where two synonymous phrases are used to reinforce the identity of God's chosen nation and their special relationship with Him. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast**, setting David's humble origins "from following the ewes great with young" against his elevated destiny "to feed Jacob his people." This stark juxtaposition magnifies the miraculous nature of God's choice and demonstrates His ability to use the seemingly insignificant for His grand purposes. Finally, the verse is imbued with a strong sense of **Divine Agency**, with "he brought him" clearly establishing God as the active, sovereign agent orchestrating David's life and destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the biblical narrative of God choosing the unlikely and empowering them for His purposes, demonstrating that true authority and capability flow from divine appointment rather than human merit or status. It establishes a foundational understanding of leadership as a pastoral calling, where the leader is fundamentally a caregiver, protector, and guide for the people entrusted to them, mirroring God's own character as the Great Shepherd. David's transition from tending literal sheep to shepherding God's spiritual flock foreshadows the ultimate Shepherd-King, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies this ideal. The verse also underscores the preciousness of God's people, referred to as His "inheritance," emphasizing His proprietary care and the sacred trust placed upon those who lead them.

* [1 Samuel 16:11-13](/1_samuel/16-11 "1 Samuel 16:11-13 - David Anointed King")
* [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd")
* [Ezekiel 34:23](/ezekiel/34-23 "Ezekiel 34:23 - God Will Raise Up One Shepherd, My Servant David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 78:71 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God often prepares us for greater callings through humble service in our present circumstances. David's faithfulness in tending vulnerable "ewes great with young" cultivated the character and skills necessary for leading a nation. This teaches us the vital importance of diligence and integrity in seemingly small or insignificant tasks, viewing them as divine training grounds for future responsibilities. Moreover, the verse redefines leadership as a deeply pastoral endeavor—not about power or prestige, but about self-sacrificial care, protection, and guidance for those entrusted to our charge. Whether in our families, workplaces, communities, or churches, we are called to embody this shepherd-like heart, prioritizing the well-being and flourishing of others, just as David was called to "feed" God's people. This divine model of leadership challenges us to serve with humility, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility for God's "inheritance."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's call from shepherding to kingship inform our understanding of God's vocational calling in our own lives, especially when our current roles seem insignificant?**
* **In what ways can we, regardless of our formal position, embody the "shepherd" model of leadership—prioritizing care, protection, and guidance—in our spheres of influence?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty in raising leaders, even from unlikely backgrounds, encourage our trust in His plan for our lives and for the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "ewes great with young" signify about David's previous role?**

Answer: The phrase "ewes great with young" specifically highlights the most delicate and demanding aspect of shepherding. These animals, along with their newborn lambs, are particularly vulnerable and require constant, gentle, and vigilant care. This detail emphasizes that David's training was not just in general animal husbandry but in the most sensitive and responsible aspects of the profession. It signifies that he was a shepherd who knew how to provide meticulous care, patience, and protection, preparing him for the immense responsibility of leading a vulnerable nation, God's people.

**Why is Israel called "his people" and "his inheritance"?**

Answer: Calling Israel "his people" and "his inheritance" emphasizes their unique and special covenant relationship with God. "His people" signifies that they belong to Him, chosen by Him out of all the nations. "His inheritance" (Hebrew, _nachalah_) implies a treasured possession, an allotted portion that is highly valued and protected. These terms underscore God's proprietary care for Israel and His deep commitment to them. David was therefore entrusted with the sacred and immense responsibility of caring for God's most precious possession, acting as God's earthly representative in shepherding His beloved nation.

**How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of Psalm 78?**

Answer: Psalm 78 recounts a long history of God's faithfulness to Israel despite their repeated disobedience and rebellion, particularly highlighting the failures of the northern tribes (Ephraim). Verses [Psalms 78:67-72](/psalms/78-67 "Psalms 78:67-72 - God Rejects Ephraim and Chooses David") mark a turning point where God rejects the tabernacle of Joseph (Ephraim) and chooses Judah, Mount Zion (Jerusalem), and ultimately, David. [Psalms 78:71](/psalms/78-71 "Psalms 78:71 - God Chooses David") serves as the climax of this historical review, demonstrating God's ultimate faithfulness in providing a righteous and divinely chosen leader in David, who would care for His people with a shepherd's heart, in stark contrast to the unfaithful leadership and idolatry that characterized earlier periods of Israel's history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 78:71 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and perfect Shepherd-King. David, chosen from humble origins to "feed" God's people, serves as a powerful type of Christ. Just as David was brought from tending literal sheep to shepherd Israel, Jesus, the Son of David, came from heaven to earth to be the [Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") and [knows His own](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus Knows His Sheep"). The "feeding" or shepherding of God's people, which David began, is perfectly consummated in Christ, who not only provides spiritual nourishment and guidance but also offers ultimate protection and salvation. He is the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who became the Shepherd, gathering His flock who were [like sheep without a shepherd](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Sheep Without a Shepherd"). As the promised King from David's line, Jesus embodies the ideal of pastoral leadership, caring for His people, His new covenant "inheritance," with infinite wisdom, compassion, and power. He is the one who will [shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water](/revelation/7-17 "Revelation 7:17 - The Lamb Will Shepherd Them"), bringing them into the eternal inheritance secured by His sacrifice.

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

2 Samuel 5:2

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

1 Chronicles 11:2

And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou [wast] he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.

1 Samuel 2:7

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

1 Samuel 2:8

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

1 Peter 5:2

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

Psalms 75:6

¶ For promotion [cometh] neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.