Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:43
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
43. How he set his signs in Egypt (R.V.): words borrowed from Exo 10:1-2, “my signs which I have set among them.” Cp. Psa 105:27.
Only six, or, if Psa 78:48 or Psa 78:50 refers to the murrain, possibly seven, plagues are mentioned, the plagues of lice, boils, and darkness being omitted. The order is different from that of Exodus, coinciding with it only in the first and last plagues. It is of course possible that the Psalmist, treating the narrative with poetic freedom, only mentions the principal plagues, and intentionally omits the others: but it is noteworthy that the three which he does not mention are just those the accounts of which are judged by critics upon grounds of style to have been derived from different documents: the plague of darkness from the ‘Elohistic document,’ and the plagues of lice and boils from the ‘Priestly Code.’ The accounts of the remaining seven are in the main derived from the ‘Jehovistic document.’ See Driver’s Introd. to the Lit. of the O.T., pp. 22ff. It certainly looks as if the Psalmist used the ‘Jehovistic document,’ while it was in circulation as a separate work.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt – Margin, set. The Hebrew word means to set or place. The word signs here refers to miracles as signs or indications of Gods power and favor. The things which he did were of such a nature as to show that he was almighty, and at the same time to assure them of his disposition to protect them.
And his wonders in the field of Zoan – The wonderful things which he did; the things suited to excite amazement, or astonishment. On the word Zoan, see the notes at Psa 78:12.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
43. wroughtset or held forth.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
How he had wrought his signs in Egypt,…. The plagues which he brought upon the Egyptians, for refusing to let Israel go:
and his wonders in the field of Zoan, or in the country of Zoan, that is, Tanis, as the Targum renders it; so the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; see Ps 78:12, an enumeration of these signs and wonders follows; but not of all, nor in the order in which they were: only seven are mentioned, with which compare the seven vials or last plagues, Re 6:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
43-53. Having surveyed the wilderness life of the people, (Psa 78:14-42,) the author now returns to the wonders of Egypt and the exodus, which he had already anticipated. Psa 78:12-13
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
43, 44. Field of Zoan See on Psa 78:12.
Rivers into blood This was the first plague. Exo 7:20-21. The plural, rivers, includes the Nile with its arms and canals. Isa 19:6-8; Eze 29:3-5; Eze 29:9-10. Whether the waters were literally changed to blood, or merely into the appearance of blood, (as 2Ki 3:22-23,) is not known, but that they were chemically changed, and had the appearance of blood, is certain, for the effect was to kill all fish and water animals, and to render the water unfit for drink or use. Exo 7:19. It also symbolized the vengeance of God for the innocent blood of his people, (Exodus 1,) and rebuked the Egyptian idolatry, which paid divine honours to the Nile, and considered it identical with Osiris and the highest God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 78:43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
Ver. 43. How he had wrought his signs in Egypt ] That stage of wonders. See Psa 78:12 .
In the field of Zoan
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
signs in Egypt. The Psalm, verses: Psa 78:44-51, does not profess to give a list of the “ten plagues”; so that there is no ground for the assumption as to only a “Jehovist” document being known to the writer. He selects according to his special purpose. He names the first and the last, and omits the third (lice), fifth (murrain), sixth (boils), and the ninth (darkness).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
How: Psa 105:27-38, Psa 135:9, Exo 3:19, Exo 3:20, Deu 4:34, Deu 6:22, Neh 9:10
wrought: Heb. set
wonders: Psa 78:12
Reciprocal: Gen 15:14 – that Exo 7:3 – multiply Exo 18:8 – how the Lord Num 13:22 – Zoan Deu 1:30 – according Deu 29:2 – Ye have seen all Deu 34:11 – In all the signs Jos 24:5 – plagued 1Sa 4:8 – smote Neh 9:17 – mindful Psa 89:10 – Thou hast Isa 19:11 – Zoan Jer 32:20 – hast set Eze 30:14 – Zoan Act 7:7 – the nation Rev 11:8 – Egypt
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 78:43-48. How he had wrought his signs in Egypt Here the Psalm goes back to the subject of Israelitish ingratitude, (mentioned Psa 78:11-12,) in order to introduce an account of the miracles wrought in Egypt previous to Israels deliverance from thence. These miracles, says Dr. Horne, were intended to evince the superiority of Jehovah over the elements and powers of nature, which at that time were objects of worship among the Egyptians, but plainly appeared to act, at the command of Moses, in subordination to their great Creator, the God of the Hebrews. In the heavens, on the earth, and in the waters, supremacy and independence were demonstrated to belong to him only: fire and air, thunder and lightning, wind, rain, and hail obeyed his words; rivers became blood, and their inhabitants perished; insects and animals left their wonted habitations, to destroy vegetables, or torment man: so that wherever the gods of Egypt were supposed to reside, and to exert their influences in favour of their votaries, in all places, and all circumstances, victory declared for Jehovah. Hence modern as well as ancient idolaters may learn not to put their trust in the world, but in him who made, and who can and will destroy it; whose power can render the most insignificant of his creatures instruments of his vengeance, and in a moment arm all the elements against sinners; and whose mercy will employ that power in the final salvation of the church; when, as the author of the book of Wisdom expresseth it, He shall make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies, and the world shall fight for him against the unwise. Had turned the rivers into blood The several branches and streams of the river Nile, and those many rivulets which they drew from it. He sent divers sorts of flies, which devoured them Or, destroyed them, which they were able to do by their numerous stings; for these flies were doubtless extraordinary in their nature, and their poisonous and hurtful qualities, as well as in their number: and the same is to be supposed concerning the frogs here mentioned, which also might destroy the people by corrupting their meats and drinks, and by infecting the air with putrefaction. He gave also their labour unto the locusts That is, the fruit of their labour, the herbs and corn which had sprung up. He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees Or, wild fig-trees, which were there in great abundance. Under these and the vines, all other trees are comprehended. And this hail and frost not only destroyed the fruits of the trees, but in many instances the trees themselves. He gave up also their cattle to the hail Hebrew , vajasgeer, he shut up, as in a prison, that they could not escape it; and their flocks to hot thunderbolts Hebrew, , lareshapim, prunis ignitis, to burning coals. He alludes to the fire mingled with hail, Exo 9:23-24.