Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The instruction here isn't just about remembering God's deeds, but actively not hiding them, emphasizing a proactive, public sharing of faith. This implies that passing down spiritual heritage is a deliberate act, not just an passive inheritance, meant to stir up praise and awe for generations to come.
This psalm is a reflective look back at Israel's history, specifically their journey from Egypt through the wilderness. The writer, Asaph, aims to teach the present generation through this recounting, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, a pattern that repeats across generations. This verse emphasizes the importance of passing down these divine deeds and lessons from parents to children.
In a world without easy access to books, how were stories of faith passed on? This verse reveals a vibrant oral tradition designed to keep God's acts alive.
Before widespread literacy, the primary way to pass down history and faith was through spoken word, songs, and poems. This psalm itself is a prime example of that! It wasn't just about reciting facts; it was about sharing the 'praises,' 'might,' and 'wonders' of the Lord with a sense of awe and engagement.
What's the real point of remembering God's actions? It's not just about the past; it's about understanding who God is.
The psalm doesn't just say to recount events, but to tell of 'the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and his wonders.' This points to something deeper than historical facts:
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh). It represents the self-existent, faithful, and redeeming God who enters into a personal relationship with His people.
pele · Hebrew Noun
Referring to extraordinary acts of divine intervention or supernatural power. These are evidences of God’s character and sovereignty in history that prompt awe and faith.
Psalm 78 was likely written after the kingdom divided, during a time when the memory of God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness needed to be actively passed down to prevent further apostasy, especially given the eventual fall of Jerusalem.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through mighty acts like the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites journey through the desert, experiencing God's provision (manna, water from the rock) and their own rebellion.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
David becomes king over all Israel, uniting the nation and establishing Jerusalem as its capital.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel (led by Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 750 BC— this verse
This passage directly instructs parents to diligently teach God's commands to their children, emphasizing the importance of passing down God's teachings and acts from one generation to the next, mirroring the intent of Psalm 78:4.
Joshua 4:21-22After crossing the Jordan, Joshua instructed the Israelites to teach their children about the miraculous crossing, illustrating how significant historical events should be recounted to preserve their memory and the lessons they hold.
Psalm 145:4-7This psalm echoes the theme of recounting God's deeds and praises to future generations, highlighting the continuous cycle of testimony and remembrance that ensures God's works are not forgotten.
Isaiah 38:19King Hezekiah expresses a similar desire to make God's deeds known to future generations, emphasizing that the living (those who are not yet in the silence of death) should praise God and tell of His faithfulness.
pulpitPsalms 78:4: "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done."
Verse 4. - We will not hide them from their children. They shall still be handed down in the same way. We of this generation will still continue the practice of handing down, by word of mouth, to the next generation, how God has dealt with Israel. Asaph's psalms were written, it must be remembered, to be recited in the…
clarkePsalms 78:4: "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done."
We will not hide them - In those ancient times there was very little reading, because books were exceedingly scarce; tradition was therefore the only, or nearly the only, means of preserving the memory of past events. They were handed down from father to son by parables or pithy sayings and by chronological poems. This…
The instruction here isn't just about remembering God's deeds, but actively not hiding them, emphasizing a proactive, public sharing of faith. This implies that passing down spiritual heritage is a deliberate act, not just an passive inheritance, meant to stir up praise and awe for generations to come.
This psalm is a reflective look back at Israel's history, specifically their journey from Egypt through the wilderness. The writer, Asaph, aims to teach the present generation through this recounting, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, a pattern that repeats across generations. This verse emphasizes the importance of passing down these divine deeds and lessons from parents to children.
This psalm is a reflective look back at Israel's history, specifically their journey from Egypt through the wilderness. The writer, Asaph, aims to teach the present generation through this recounting, highlighting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, a pattern that repeats across generations. This verse emphasizes the importance of passing down these divine deeds and lessons from parents to children.
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Asaph's Psalms Written
Asaph, a musician and composer, writes a collection of psalms (including Psalm 78) for temple worship and teaching.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy the temple, and exile many Israelites, scattering them and their history.
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." — The instruction here isn't just about remembering God's deeds, but actively not hiding them, emphasizing a proactive, public sharing of faith. This implies that passing down spiritual heritage is a…
