Psalms 78:56-58
Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a persistent pattern: even after experiencing God’s mighty acts and receiving His specific instructions ("testimonies"), they still chose to test and rebel. This wasn't a matter of ignorance, but a wilful disregard for the very things meant to guide and secure them.
After settling into the Promised Land, the Israelites, despite God's faithfulness in bringing them there, quickly fell back into their old patterns of disobedience. This verse highlights their continued rebellion during the period of the Judges, when they repeatedly turned away from God and broke His commands, provoking Him even after receiving so many blessings.
Incredible things happened – God rescued them, guided them, and gave them land! Yet, the very next thing the psalmist highlights is their rebellion. How does faithfulness to God so quickly turn into testing Him?
This verse, and the surrounding context in Psalm 78, paints a stark picture of Israel's journey. After experiencing God's immense power and faithfulness (like leading them through the wilderness and driving out nations to give them land), they still 'tested and rebelled.'
The psalm calls God 'the Most High God.' What does that title emphasize, and how does it contrast with Israel's failure to keep His 'testimonies'?
The phrase 'Most High God' (El Elyon in some contexts, but here Elohim Elyon) isn't just a name; it speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation. He is the one on the throne, above all else.
His 'testimonies' are His commandments, laws, and decrees. The word often carries the sense of 'witness' or 'reminder.' These aren't arbitrary rules; they are God's reliable instructions that testify to His will and His character.
Understand the original words
nasah · Hebrew Verb
A verb meaning to put to the test, to prove, or to try. In a biblical context, it often refers to humans doubting God's power or character, thereby putting Him to the test.
marah · Hebrew Verb
To act in open resistance against authority. Biblically, it describes the willful defiance of God’s established covenant or commands.
Elyon · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A title for God emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and transcendence over all creation.
edut · Hebrew Noun
A collective term for God’s revealed laws, warnings, and decrees that bear witness to His nature and requirement for His people.
This verse speaks to a recurring theme in Israel's history: even after experiencing God's powerful deliverance and receiving His commands, they repeatedly turned away from Him. This happened most starkly during the turbulent Period of the Judges, after they had settled in the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquered and began to divide the land of Canaan amongst the twelve tribes.
c. 1400-1050 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
This era was marked by cycles of Israel's disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, and God's deliverance through judges.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Israel's demand for a king signaled a shift from the period of the judges, with Saul becoming the first monarch.
c. 1010 BC
David Becomes King
David's reign established a more stable monarchy and centralized worship in Jerusalem, seen as a high point of Israel's history.
This passage directly parallels the verse's theme of testing God, showing how the Israelites repeatedly challenged God's power and faithfulness, even after witnessing His mighty acts.
Deuteronomy 31:27This verse speaks to Israel's rebellious nature, highlighting their stubbornness and how they acted like rebels ('provoked me to wrath') throughout their history, much like the description in Psalms 78:56.
Joshua 24:19-20Here, Joshua warns the Israelites that God is a 'holy God' and a 'jealous God' who will not tolerate their sin, directly addressing the concept of provoking God and not keeping His testimonies.
Hebrews 3:16-17This New Testament passage reflects on the wilderness generation's rebellion and failure to enter the promised land due to their disobedience, echoing the historical pattern described in Psalms 78:56.
cambridgePsalms 78:56: "Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:"
56 . Yet &c.] Yet they tempted and rebelled against God the Most High. In spite of all God’s goodness to them, they persisted in their old unfaithfulness. Cp. Psalm 78:17-18; Psalms 40, 41 . God the Most High is not El Elyôn , as in Psalm 78:35 ; but Elôhîm Elyôn , the equivalent of Jehovah the Most High , Psalm 7:17 ; Psalm 47:2 . his testimonies ] His commandments, regarded as bearing witness to His…
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 verse highlights a persistent pattern: even after experiencing God’s mighty acts and receiving His specific instructions ("testimonies"), they still chose to test and rebel. This wasn't a matter of ignorance, but a wilful disregard for the very things meant to guide and secure them.
After settling into the Promised Land, the Israelites, despite God's faithfulness in bringing them there, quickly fell back into their old patterns of disobedience. This verse highlights their continued rebellion during the period of the Judges, when they repeatedly turned away from God and broke His commands, provoking Him even after receiving so many blessings.
After settling into the Promised Land, the Israelites, despite God's faithfulness in bringing them there, quickly fell back into their old patterns of disobedience. This verse highlights their continued rebellion during the period of the Judges, when they repeatedly turned away from God and broke His commands, provoking Him even after receiving so many blessings.
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bagad · Hebrew Verb
To behave unfaithfully or act with treachery. It often implies a breach of trust, particularly in the context of covenant relationship or marriage.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To incite, irritate, or goad someone to emotional reaction. In Scripture, it is frequently used to describe human behavior that moves God to righteous indignation.
bamah · Hebrew Noun
Sites of unauthorized worship, typically built on elevated ground, often associated with pagan practices and the setting up of idols that competed with the worship of Yahweh.
pesel · Hebrew Noun
A human representation of a deity. Biblically, these are inanimate objects or images that are sinful to worship because they replace the true God and cannot save.
qin'ah · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting God’s intense, protective, and exclusive love for His covenant people, which is ignited when His people offer the devotion rightfully His to false gods.
"Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with the…" — The verse highlights a persistent pattern: even after experiencing God’s mighty acts and receiving His specific instructions ("testimonies"), they still chose to test and rebel. This wasn't a matte…
