They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read "forgot his works and wonders" as simply a lapse of memory. But the text emphasizes that this forgetting wasn't just a historical blank; it was a practical, active rejection of God's power and love, leading them away from trust and obedience. Their "forgetting" meant they no longer felt compelled to live by His commands, revealing a profound disconnect between what they knew God had done and how they chose to live.
They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing how generations repeatedly failed to learn from God's mighty deeds and their ancestors' unfaithfulness. This verse specifically highlights a core problem: the people's tendency to forget the miraculous ways God intervened on their behalf, leading to a cycle of disobedience and divine discipline. The psalm contrasts God's steadfast faithfulness with Israel's persistent forgetfulness and rebellion, urging the present generation not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Do you know the stories of God's faithfulness, but still struggle to trust Him? This verse points to a dangerous kind of forgetting.
The psalm highlights that Israel didn't just not remember God's deeds; they forgot them in practice. This means their knowledge of His past wonders didn't translate into present faith or obedience.
God wants His people to remember, but history shows a consistent failure to pass on His story. Why is this so important?
Psalm 78 is a 'Maschil,' a psalm meant for instruction. The psalmist is deeply concerned about the transmission of God's deeds from one generation to the next. He emphasizes:
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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 is likely composed during or after the period of the divided monarchy, using Israel's long history of divine wonders and human forgetfulness as a warning against repeating the sins of past generations, particularly the spiritual unfaithfulness associated with the northern kingdom of Ephraim.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt and Red Sea Crossing
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, parting the Red Sea for their passage, a foundational event of national identity and faith.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
After the Exodus, the Israelites journey through the desert for 40 years, experiencing God's provision (manna, water from rock) and discipline for disobedience.
c. 13th Century BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites enter and begin conquering the Promised Land, facing significant battles and challenges.
Period of the Judges (c. 13th-11th Century BC)
Cycles of Apostasy and Deliverance
Israel repeatedly falls into idolatry and faces oppression, only to be delivered by God through various judges, highlighting a pattern of unfaithfulness.
c. 10th Century BC
Establishment of the United Monarchy under David
David is established as king over Israel, consolidating the nation and setting up Jerusalem as its capital, a high point of national unity and divine favor.
After 931 BC— this verse
Divided Monarchy and Ephraim's Prominence
The kingdom splits into Israel (the north, often dominated by the tribe of Ephraim) and Judah (the south), with Israel frequently engaging in idolatry and rebellion.
This passage warns the Israelites not to forget the Lord their God once they enter the promised land, emphasizing the importance of remembering His works and provisions in the wilderness, just as Psalm 78:11 laments their forgetting.
Joshua 24:31This verse highlights the persistence of Israel serving the Lord all their days, directly contrasting with the forgetfulness described in Psalm 78:11, showing a generation that *did* remember.
Jeremiah 2:32The prophet questions if a nation can forget its God and its laws, a direct echo of the theme in Psalm 78:11, showing how this forgetfulness is a recurring sin throughout Israel's history.
Hebrews 12:1-2This New Testament passage calls believers to run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, drawing parallels to the cloud of witnesses who remembered God's faithfulness, serving as an example against the forgetfulness warned against in Psalm 78:11.
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…
It's easy to read "forgot his works and wonders" as simply a lapse of memory. But the text emphasizes that this forgetting wasn't just a historical blank; it was a practical, active rejection of God's power and love, leading them away from trust and obedience. Their "forgetting" meant they no longer felt compelled to live by His commands, revealing a profound disconnect between what they knew God had done and how they chose to live.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing how generations repeatedly failed to learn from God's mighty deeds and their ancestors' unfaithfulness. This verse specifically highlights a core problem: the people's tendency to forget the miraculous ways God intervened on their behalf, leading to a cycle of disobedience and divine discipline. The psalm contrasts God's steadfast faithfulness with Israel's persistent forgetfulness and rebellion, urging the present generation not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, emphasizing how generations repeatedly failed to learn from God's mighty deeds and their ancestors' unfaithfulness. This verse specifically highlights a core problem: the people's tendency to forget the miraculous ways God intervened on their behalf, leading to a cycle of disobedience and divine discipline. The psalm contrasts God's steadfast faithfulness with Israel's persistent forgetfulness and rebellion, urging the present generation not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
"They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them." — It's easy to read "forgot his works and wonders" as simply a lapse of memory. But the text emphasizes that this forgetting wasn't just a historical blank; it was a practical, active rejection of God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026