Psalms 78:11
And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ
And forgat
H7911
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ
And forgat
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
1 of 5
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו
his works
H5949
עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו
his works
Strong's:
H5949
Word #:
2 of 5
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו
and his wonders
H6381
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו
and his wonders
Strong's:
H6381
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
Historical Context
Asaph, David's chief musician, composed this psalm likely during the united monarchy (1000-930 BC) to teach covenant faithfulness. The historical recital spans from Exodus (1446 BC) through the wilderness wanderings, serving as liturgical instruction for festival worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'wonders' of God's past faithfulness have you forgotten when facing present trials?
- How does rehearsing redemption history guard against repeating Israel's pattern of unbelief?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them—the Hebrew šākaḥ (forgot) implies not mere memory failure but willful neglect, a deliberate turning away from covenant obligations. Israel's forgetfulness of God's niplā'ôt (wonders, miraculous acts) represents the recurring sin pattern that Psalm 78 chronicles. This didactic psalm, a maśkîl (instruction psalm) by Asaph, rehearses Exodus history not as nostalgia but as warning.
The psalm's pedagogy serves the same purpose as Christ's parables—those who have ears to hear will understand and repent (Matthew 13:13-15). Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 10:11: 'These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us.'