Psalms 78:57
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ
But turned back
H5472
וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ
But turned back
Strong's:
H5472
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)
וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ
and dealt unfaithfully
H898
וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ
and dealt unfaithfully
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
2 of 6
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם
like their fathers
H1
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם
like their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 6
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ
they were turned aside
H2015
נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ
they were turned aside
Strong's:
H2015
Word #:
4 of 6
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
Cross References
Hosea 7:16They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.Psalms 78:8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Historical Context
Asaph likely wrote during increasing apostasy in the Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam's golden calf worship (1 Kings 12:25-33) or later syncretistic practices. The 'fathers' reference recalls the wilderness generation's unbelief (Numbers 14) and subsequent judges-era cycles of idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- What generational sin patterns might you be unconsciously repeating from your spiritual 'fathers'?
- How can believers ensure they're reliable 'weapons' for God's purposes rather than 'deceitful bows'?
- In what ways does understanding our natural unfaithfulness drive us to depend on Christ's faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. The phrase turned back (vayyisogu achor, וַיִּסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר) describes retreat from covenant commitment, not merely stumbling but deliberate desertion. Dealt unfaithfully (vayivgadu, וַיִּבְגְּדוּ) uses the language of marital treachery—Israel played the harlot with other gods (Hosea 1-3).
Like their fathers indicts generational sin patterns. Despite witnessing God's mighty acts, each generation repeated its fathers' faithlessness, proving that spiritual life doesn't transmit genetically—every generation needs new birth (John 3:3-7). The continuity of rebellion demonstrates the depravity of the human heart apart from grace.
The simile like a deceitful bow (nehepchu kekeshet remiyyah, נֶהֶפְכוּ כְּקֶשֶׁת רְמִיָּה) is devastating. A warped bow looks functional but shoots arrows crooked, making it worse than useless—dangerous. Israel appeared to be God's weapon against paganism but instead proved unreliable, missing the target. Only Jesus is the true arrow shot straight to accomplish God's purposes (Isaiah 49:2).