Series: Psalms: Making the Connections

Psalm 78: Not To Be Hidden

July 31, 2022 | Pastor Jon MacDonald
Passage: Psalms 78:1-72

Book 3 of the Psalms is composed of Psalms 73-89, and its
tone is dark. For a golden age, under David and Solomon, there
was a 50-year unified kingdom, and the ‘earthly’ kingdom was
easy-to-see, complete with good kings, military strength, and a
beautiful temple in Jerusalem. But the theme of Book 3,
according to O. P. Robertson, is “devastation”: though they
once possessed the fulfilled Davidic promises of God, all seems
lost now. Is God there? Is he able? Does he care?


In Psalm 77 (last week), the key concept was a “hearing” with
God in the midst of devastation, but our key here in Psalm 78 is
the opposite: “learn to listen.” Though the emphases are
different, the theme is quite similar: When we trust God in
devastating moments, he will graciously lead us home.

We make God’s grace known to the next generation when we...
• Reflect on the past, remembering his covenant and glorious deeds. (1-8 various)

• Anticipate the future, hoping in his faithfulness. (7)

• Are faithful in the present, trusting his Word with humble obedience. (7)

Series Information


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