Psalms 78:59-62
When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe. He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals a striking consequence of Israel’s repeated disobedience: God didn't just grow angry; He "utterly rejected" them. This wasn't a temporary displeasure, but a profound and total forsaking, signaled by His abandonment of Shiloh and the Ark, the very symbols of His presence among them.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated disobedience and God's persistent, though often severe, responses. Following periods of idolatry and sin even after settling in the land, the text describes God's deep anger and rejection, culminating in the abandonment of Shiloh, the sanctuary, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by their enemies.
When we hear that God is 'wroth' and 'abhors,' it can sound like human anger. But what does it truly mean for God to express such intense displeasure?
A Holy Reaction
Scripture often uses human emotions to describe God's response to sin, but it's never just a carbon copy of our feelings. When Psalm 78 says God 'heard this' and 'was wroth,' it means He perceived and understood Israel's persistent disobedience and idolatry.
Not Impulsive, But Just
God doesn't lash out impulsively. His 'wrath' is a righteous and just reaction against rebellion. It's not about His character changing, but about His holiness responding to sin. Think of it as a perfect, unchangeable standard being violated.
Utter Rejection
The phrase 'greatly abhorred' or 'utterly rejected' signifies more than just being displeased. It points to a decisive act of casting aside, a breaking of the relationship. It's the consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, leading God to withdraw His favor and presence.
The rejection of Israel wasn't abstract. It had a devastating, tangible consequence that echoed through their history. What was lost?
Where God Once Dwelt
The commentators highlight that Israel's rejection led to a profound loss: the forsaking of Shiloh, the place where the Ark of the Covenant and God's presence had resided.
The Ark Taken
This wasn't just losing a building; it was the Ark—the symbol of God's covenant presence—being captured by the Philistines. Imagine the shock and despair: the very 'beauty' and 'strength' of Israel, their connection to God, was taken.
A 'Farewell' from God
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.
natash · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, leave, or give up. It implies a departure or withdrawal of presence, especially in a theological context regarding God leaving His people due to their rebellion.
oz · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God's inherent strength, sovereignty, or the outward manifestation of His authority, often symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant in this context.
This psalm reflects on the devastating consequences of Israel's persistent disobedience, particularly the period when the Ark was captured and Shiloh destroyed, leading to God's profound rejection of the nation. The subsequent establishment of David's kingdom and the return of the Ark to Jerusalem represent God's enduring faithfulness amidst His people's failures.
c. 1075 BC— this verse
Ark Captured by Philistines
During the time of High Priest Eli, the Philistines defeated the Israelites, captured the Ark of the Covenant, and destroyed the sanctuary at Shiloh.
c. 1050 BC
Philistine Dominance
The Philistines exerted significant control over Israel, further weakening the nation and highlighting God's displeasure with their repeated disobedience.
c. 1043 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in national governance after the period of the Judges.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
David is anointed king, beginning a new era for Israel that would eventually lead to the establishment of Jerusalem as its capital.
This passage describes the Israelites turning to other gods, directly leading to God's anger and their subsequent suffering at the hands of their enemies, mirroring the wrath and rejection seen in Psalm 78.
1 Samuel 4:10-11Here, the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines, the very event that likely prompted Psalm 78:59-66, vividly illustrates God's abandonment and the devastating consequences of His 'abhorrence'.
Jeremiah 7:12-15Jeremiah echoes the judgment on Shiloh, warning that God will treat His chosen place like He treated Shiloh when His people sin, showing a consistent pattern of divine displeasure following persistent disobedience.
Romans 1:24-25Paul describes God 'giving them up' to impurity due to their worship of created things rather than the Creator, a theological parallel to God 'abhorring' and rejecting His people when they turn away.
Hebrews 12:5-6This passage directly quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, explaining that God's discipline and 'wrath' against His children are evidence of His love and a means to bring about righteousness, offering a perspective on the nature of God's displeasure mentioned in the Psalm.
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.…
This verse reveals a striking consequence of Israel’s repeated disobedience: God didn't just grow angry; He "utterly rejected" them. This wasn't a temporary displeasure, but a profound and total forsaking, signaled by His abandonment of Shiloh and the Ark, the very symbols of His presence among them.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated disobedience and God's persistent, though often severe, responses. Following periods of idolatry and sin even after settling in the land, the text describes God's deep anger and rejection, culminating in the abandonment of Shiloh, the sanctuary, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by their enemies.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting their repeated disobedience and God's persistent, though often severe, responses. Following periods of idolatry and sin even after settling in the land, the text describes God's deep anger and rejection, culminating in the abandonment of Shiloh, the sanctuary, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by their enemies.
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When God allowed the Ark to be taken, it was a powerful, albeit devastating, sign that He had departed from them. Shiloh became empty, a symbol of God's withdrawn favor, underscoring the seriousness of their rebellion.
tiph’arah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and radiant holiness among His people. It is the visible weight of His character and authority.
tsar · Hebrew Noun
A general term for an enemy or adversary, often used in the Psalms to describe those who oppose God or His people.
ammo · Hebrew Noun
The covenant community chosen by God. Being 'His people' signifies a unique relationship of ownership, protection, and responsibility.
chemah · Hebrew Noun
God's righteous, settled, and holy indignation against sin and rebellion. It is not an emotional loss of control, but a judicial response to the violation of His covenant.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
Israel is frequently described as God's portion or 'heritage,' chosen out of love and covenantal promise to be His own special possession.
c. 1000 BC
Ark Brought to Jerusalem
King David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel.
"When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe.…" — This verse reveals a striking consequence of Israel’s repeated disobedience: God didn't just grow angry; He "utterly rejected" them. This wasn't a temporary displeasure, but a profound and total fors…
