Psalms 78:59
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 78:59
59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
Chapter Context
Psalms 78 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of obedience, redemption, covenant. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-72: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 78:59
59 When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
Analysis
When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel. The temporal clause When God heard emphasizes divine awareness—idolatry doesn't go unnoticed. Wroth (vaya'avor, וַיַּעֲבֹר) literally means 'He passed over in wrath,' describing overwhelming anger. Greatly abhorred (vayyim'as me'od, וַיִּמְאַס מְאֹד) means intense rejection or disgust—God utterly repudiated covenant-breaking Israel.
This anthropopathic language (attributing human emotions to God) reveals moral reality—sin genuinely offends divine holiness. God's wrath isn't arbitrary rage but holy response to evil. The intensifier greatly (me'od, מְאֹד) emphasizes the severity of divine rejection. Israel experienced what it means to be cast away from God's presence.
Yet this verse prepares for grace—God's abhorrence leads to discipline (vv. 60-64), which ultimately serves redemptive purposes. Divine wrath in the Old Testament often functions as severe mercy, designed to bring repentance. Only at the cross does God's wrath fall fully and finally—on His Son as substitute (Romans 3:25-26).
Historical Context
Specific judgments likely referenced include the Philistine capture of the ark at Shiloh (1 Samuel 4), defeat at Aphek, and ongoing oppression during the judges period. God's 'abhorrence' manifested in military defeat, foreign oppression, and eventually exile—covenant curses promised for disobedience (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28).
Reflection
- How should believers balance understanding God's wrath against sin with His love for sinners?
- What does it mean that Jesus absorbed God's full abhorrence of sin at the cross on behalf of believers?
- How can churches recover healthy fear of God's holiness without falling into legalistic terror?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 106:40