Psalms 78:11
They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 78:11
They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The psalm isn't just talking about forgetting facts; it highlights how their forgetting wasn't just a lapse in memory, but a turning away from God's character and power that was shown to them in undeniable ways. Their "forgetting" meant they no longer trusted or lived as if those amazing acts were real, leading them to sin even more.
This psalm functions as a profound lesson from history, reminding the present generation of God's faithfulness and Israel's recurring faithlessness. Following verses that call for attentive listening to God's law and the transmission of His mighty deeds, this verse highlights the people's failure to remember the miracles God performed for them. It sets the stage for a detailed recounting of these wonders, from the Exodus through the wilderness, emphasizing the cycle of divine grace met by human forgetfulness and rebellion.
Ever felt like you're stuck in a cycle of making the same mistakes? The Bible says there's a reason why. It often starts with forgetting.
Psalm 78 is a powerful reminder that history, especially our history with God, is meant to be a teacher. The psalmist is addressing a generation that has fallen into the same patterns as their ancestors. What are they doing wrong? They've forgotten.
What Does 'Forget' Mean Here?
It's not just a failure of memory, like forgetting where you put your keys. This is a profound, practical forgetfulness. It means they've stopped letting God's past actions shape their present lives and future choices.
Why does the same old sin keep tripping us up? This psalm reveals a heartbreaking connection between forgetting God and falling back into rebellion.
The forgetting mentioned in Psalm 78:11 isn't a neutral act; it has devastating consequences. It fuels a cycle of ingratitude and disobedience that repeats throughout Israel's history.
From Remembrance to Rebellion:
When people forget God's past faithfulness, they lose the very foundation for trust and obedience.
Understand the original words
shakach · Hebrew Verb
To cease to call to mind, to be negligent in remembering, or to willfully ignore the actions and commands of God. In a biblical context, forgetting God is often synonymous with disobedience and a lack of faith.
maaseh · Hebrew Noun
Deeds or actions performed by God in history, often demonstrating His power, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His covenant people. These acts serve as evidence of His character and His presence in the lives of His people.
pela · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary events or acts of power performed by God that transcend natural order, intended to demonstrate His divine authority and to evoke awe, faith, or judgment. They are signs designed to reveal God’s character and purposes to humanity.
This psalm was likely composed after the division of the kingdoms, perhaps during the early monarchy or later. It uses the history of Israel, especially their wilderness experiences, to warn against repeating the sins of previous generations, highlighting how easily they forgot God's powerful interventions.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt and Red Sea Crossing
God miraculously delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea, a foundational event of their national history.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert, during which God provided for them through miraculous means like manna and water from a rock, but they repeatedly grumbled and rebelled.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites engaged in a lengthy military campaign to dispossess the Canaanite nations.
Period of the Judges (c. 1400-1050 BC)
Cycle of Disobedience and Discipline
This era was marked by repeated cycles of Israelite apostasy, oppression by surrounding nations, and subsequent deliverance through judges raised by God.
This passage directly links remembering God's works (the wilderness journey) to humility and obedience, highlighting the opposite of forgetting.
Joshua 24:31This verse shows that after Joshua's time, Israel's memory of God's deeds faded, leading them back into idolatry, mirroring the forgetfulness in Psalm 78.
Hebrews 3:10Quoting Psalm 95, this New Testament passage warns against the hardened hearts that forget God's works, just as the psalmist laments in Psalm 78.
1 Corinthians 10:5This verse directly contrasts God's dealings with Israel in the wilderness, which they should have remembered, with their subsequent sinful actions, echoing the theme of forgetting God's provision.
cambridgePsalms 78:11: "And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them."
11 . And they forgat his doings, And his wondrous works that he had shewed them (R.V.).
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
The psalm isn't just talking about forgetting facts; it highlights how their forgetting wasn't just a lapse in memory, but a turning away from God's character and power that was shown to them in undeniable ways. Their "forgetting" meant they no longer trusted or lived as if those amazing acts were real, leading them to sin even more.
This psalm functions as a profound lesson from history, reminding the present generation of God's faithfulness and Israel's recurring faithlessness. Following verses that call for attentive listening to God's law and the transmission of His mighty deeds, this verse highlights the people's failure to remember the miracles God performed for them. It sets the stage for a detailed recounting of these wonders, from the Exodus through the wilderness, emphasizing the cycle of divine grace met by human forgetfulness and rebellion.
This psalm functions as a profound lesson from history, reminding the present generation of God's faithfulness and Israel's recurring faithlessness. Following verses that call for attentive listening to God's law and the transmission of His mighty deeds, this verse highlights the people's failure to remember the miracles God performed for them. It sets the stage for a detailed recounting of these wonders, from the Exodus through the wilderness, emphasizing the cycle of divine grace met by human forgetfulness and rebellion.
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c. 1050 BC
Rise of the United Monarchy
Samuel the prophet anoints Saul as the first king, followed by David, establishing a centralized monarchy in Israel.
c. 975 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After King Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.
Undetermined, likely post-division of kingdoms— this verse
Asaph's Psalm of Retelling
The psalm is composed by Asaph, likely a musician and worshipper in the temple, aiming to teach the generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's consistent unfaithfulness.
"They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them." — The psalm isn't just talking about forgetting facts; it highlights how their forgetting wasn't just a lapse in memory, but a turning away from God's character and power that was shown to them in un…