When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God doesn't just hear their sin; He hears it, meaning He fully understands and registers it. This verse highlights a profound, almost visceral response: not just anger, but a deep "abhorrence," signifying an utter rejection of His own people due to their persistent faithlessness.
When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm has been recounting Israel's repeated failures, even after settling in the Promised Land, focusing on their idolatry and unfaithfulness. This rebellion against God culminates in the devastating loss of the Ark of the Covenant and the destruction of Shiloh, their central place of worship. This abandonment by God, a consequence of their deep-seated sin, sets the stage for a period of severe judgment.
We often think of 'hearing' as simply picking up noise. But what does it mean for God to 'hear' in the biblical sense? It's far more profound than just listening.
In Psalm 78:59, the psalmist states, 'When God heard this...' What exactly did God hear? It wasn't just the words or actions of Israel, but the underlying intent and rebellion.
Beyond the Surface
God's love is immense and enduring, but does it have limits? This verse speaks of God's wrath and rejection, terms that can be hard to reconcile with a loving God.
Psalm 78:59 declares God 'was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel.' This isn't capricious anger, but a righteous response to persistent, unrepentant rebellion.
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The Nature of God's Wrath
This rejection wasn't the end of God's story with His people, but a severe consequence of their choices that aimed to awaken them to their need for Him.
Understand the original words
hemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, righteous reaction of God against sin and evil. It is His settled opposition to everything that is contrary to His holiness.
ma'as · Hebrew Verb
To reject, cast off, or despise. It signifies a decisive breaking of fellowship or a refusal to recognize a previous relationship.
This verse reflects a dark period following the capture of the Ark, where God's abandonment of Shiloh and subsequent judgment demonstrated His profound displeasure with Israel's persistent faithlessness.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Ark Captured at Shiloh
The Philistines defeated Israel in battle, and in their pursuit, captured the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, the central sanctuary of the Israelites.
c. 1050-1030 BC
Philistine Dominance
Following the capture of the Ark, the Philistines exerted significant control over Israel, weakening their military and political standing.
c. 1030 BC
Death of Eli
The high priest Eli died upon hearing the news of the Ark's capture, signifying a profound crisis for Israel's religious and national leadership.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Reign and Wars
Saul became Israel's first king, fighting numerous wars against the Philistines and other enemies, but the nation remained vulnerable.
c. 1005 BC
David Anointed King
David was anointed king, marking a turning point in Israel's history, leading to eventual consolidation and expansion of the kingdom.
This passage explicitly warns Israel that God will treat their sacred place, Shiloh, as He did before, due to their wickedness, directly echoing the abandonment mentioned in Psalm 78:59-60.
Judges 3:7-8This highlights Israel's pattern of sinning and God's subsequent wrath and deliverance of them into enemy hands, which is a recurring theme leading to the rejection described in Psalm 78.
1 Samuel 4:10-11This historical account details the Philistines defeating Israel and capturing the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, directly illustrating the consequences of God's abhorrence and rejection mentioned in Psalm 78:59-61.
Romans 1:24This New Testament passage shows a similar pattern where God 'gives people up' to their sinful desires due to their rejection of Him, reflecting the concept of God's severe rejection of Israel in Psalm 78.
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…
calvinPsalms 78:59-66: "When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:"
- God heard it, and was wroth, and exceedingly abhorred Israel. 60. And he forsook the habitation of Shiloh, [358] the tabernacle where he dwelt among men. 61. And he delivered his strength into captivity, and his beauty into the hand of the enemy. 62. And he shut up his people to the sword, and was wroth with his own inheritance. 63. The fire devoured their chosen; [359] , and their virgins were not applauded.…
God doesn't just hear their sin; He hears it, meaning He fully understands and registers it. This verse highlights a profound, almost visceral response: not just anger, but a deep "abhorrence," signifying an utter rejection of His own people due to their persistent faithlessness.
The psalm has been recounting Israel's repeated failures, even after settling in the Promised Land, focusing on their idolatry and unfaithfulness. This rebellion against God culminates in the devastating loss of the Ark of the Covenant and the destruction of Shiloh, their central place of worship. This abandonment by God, a consequence of their deep-seated sin, sets the stage for a period of severe judgment.
The psalm has been recounting Israel's repeated failures, even after settling in the Promised Land, focusing on their idolatry and unfaithfulness. This rebellion against God culminates in the devastating loss of the Ark of the Covenant and the destruction of Shiloh, their central place of worship. This abandonment by God, a consequence of their deep-seated sin, sets the stage for a period of severe judgment.
"When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel." — God doesn't just hear their sin; He hears it, meaning He fully understands and registers it. This verse highlights a profound, almost visceral response: not just anger, but a deep "abhorrence," sig…
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Last reviewed October 2026