Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:8
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
8. as their fathers ] Primarily, the generation of the wandering in the wilderness; but the warning was true for almost every age.
stubborn and rebellious ] Epithets applied in Deu 21:18 to the son, whom no admonition or chastisement would reform, and for whom accordingly nothing remained but the penalty of death. Cp. Jer 5:23; Deu 9:7 ff; Deu 31:27; Deu 32:5; Deu 32:20.
that set not their heart aright ] Failed to direct and prepare it with stedfast purpose to serve God. Cp. Psa 78:37.
whose spirit was not stedfast ] Better, as in Psa 78:37, was not faithful. Fickleness, instability, untrustworthiness, were the characteristics of Israel’s conduct.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And might not be as their fathers – Their ancestors, particularly in the wilderness, as they passed through it to the promised land. See Exo 32:7-9; Exo 33:3; Exo 34:9; Act 7:51-53.
A stubborn and rebellious generation – Stiff-necked, ungovernable; inclined to revolt. Nothing was more remarkable in their early history than this.
A generation that set not their heart aright – Margin, as in Hebrew, prepared not their heart. That is, they took no pains to keep their heart aright, or to cherish right feelings toward God. They yielded to any sudden impulse of passion, even when it led them to revolt against God. This is as true of sinners now as it was of them, that they take no pains to have their hearts right with God. If they did, there would be no difficulty in doing it. It is not with them an object of desire to have their hearts right with God, and hence, nothing is more easy or natural than that they should rebel and go astray.
And whose spirit was not stedfast with God – That is, they themselves did not maintain a firm trust in God. They yielded readily to every impulse, and every passion, even when it tended to draw them away wholly from him. There was no such strength of attachment to him as would lead them to resist temptation, and they easily fell into the sin of idolatry.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
That set not their heart aright; who though they outwardly and seemingly complied with the forms of worship which God had prescribed, yet
did not direct or prepare their hearts to the obedience and service of God.
Whose spirit was not stedfast with God; who quickly discovered their hypocrisy by their apostacy from God, and from the religion which they had professed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. stubborn and rebellious(De 21:18).
set not their heartonGod’s service (2Ch 12:14).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And might not be as their fathers,…. This chiefly respects the Jews in Christ’s time: though it also is an admonition to them in succeeding ages, and especially in the latter day, when they shall be instructed, called, and converted; and even to us, to whom the Gospel is preached, on whom the ends of the world are come, not to be disobedient, as the Jewish fathers were, and to take care we do not fall after the same example of unbelief; this opens the whole scope and general design of the psalm; see 1Co 10:6,
a stubborn and rebellions generation; as the generation in the wilderness was, De 9:6 and so were their posterity in Christ’s time, Mt 12:34,
a generation that set not their heart aright; to seek the Lord, serve and obey him; their hearts were removed far from him, and they were hypocritical in their prayers to him, and service of him:
and whose spirit was not steadfast with God; did not continue in the faith of God, in the true religion, but departed and apostatized from him; see Ps 78:37. Apostasy is generally the fruit and effect of hypocrisy; all the following facts support the character which is here given of them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. And that they might not be as their fathers, a rebellious and provoking generation. The Psalmist here shows still more distinctly how necessary this sermon was, from the circumstance that the Jews were exceedingly prone to revolt from God, if they were not kept in subjection by powerful restraints. He takes it as a fact, which could not be questioned, that their hearts were in no respect better than the hearts of their fathers, whom he affirms to have been a treacherous, rebellious, crooked and disobedient race. They would, therefore, immediately backslide from the way of God, unless their hearts were continually sustained by stable supports. The experience of all ages shows that what Horace writes concerning his own nation is true every where: —
“
Ætas parenturn, pejor avis, tulit Nos nequiores, mox daturos Progeniem vitiosiroem .” Odes, Book III. Ode vi.
“
The age that gave our fathers birth, Saw them their noble sires disgrace: We, baser still, shall leave on earth The still increasing guilt of our degenerate race.” Boscawen’Translation.
What then would be the consequence, did not God succor the world which thus proceeds from evil to worse? As the prophet teaches the Jews from the wickedness and perverseness of their fathers, that they stood in need of a severe discipline to recall them from the imitation of bad examples, we learn from this, how great the folly of the world is, in persuading itself that the example of the fathers is to be regarded as equivalent to a law, which ought, in every case, to be followed. He does not here speak of all people without distinction, but of the holy and chosen race of Abraham; nor does he rebuke a small number of persons, but almost the whole nation, among whom there prevailed excessive obstinacy, as well as perverse forgetfulness of the grace of God, and perfidious dissimulation. He does not mention merely the fathers of one age, but he comprehends a period stretching back into a remote antiquity, that persons may not take occasion to excuse themselves in committing sin, from the length of time during which it has prevailed. We must therefore make a wise selection from amongst the fathers of those whom it becomes us to imitate. It being a work of great difficulty to remove the disposition to this perverse imitation of the fathers, towards whom the feeling of reverence is naturally impressed on the minds of their successors, the prophet employs a multiplicity of terms to set forth the aggravated wickedness of the fathers, stigmatising them as chargeable with apostasy, provocation, treachery, and hypocrisy. These are very weighty charges; but it will be evident from the sequel that they are not exaggerated. The word הכין , hechin, which I have rendered directed, is by some translated established, but in my opinion, the meaning rather is, that God’s ancient people always turned aside from God into crooked by-paths. Also, in what follows, instead of reading whose spirit was not faithful towards God, some read whose spirit leaned not upon God. (315) But it is better to follow the former interpretation, That they were not faithfully and steadfastly devoted to God, although they had solemnly sworn allegiance to him. The Papists make use of this passage as an argument to prove that man has the power of bending his own heart, and directing it either to good or evil as he pleases; but this is an inference from it which cannot stand examination for a single moment. Although the prophet justly blames those who have not directed their heart aright, his object is not expressly to speak of what men can do of themselves. It is the special work of God to turn to himself the hearts of men by the secret influence of his Holy Spirit. It does not however follow from this, that they will be exempted from blame, when their own lust and depravity draw them away from God. Moreover, from the sins which are here reproved, we should learn in what way he would have us to obey and serve him. In the first place, we must lay aside all obstinacy and take his yoke upon us; (316) and, secondly, we must clothe ourselves with the spirit of meekness, bring the affections of the heart to the obedience of God, and follow after uprightness, and that not with the fervor of a mere transient impulse, but with unfeigned and unwavering steadfastness.
(315) “The Syriac version reads, ‘And confided not in the God of its spirit,’ translating נאמנה, [the word which Calvin renders ‘was faithful,’] by a masculine verb; and this indeed the sense will very well bear, and the change of genders is not unusual, and God is frequently known by that title, ‘the God of the spirits of all flesh.’ See Num 16:22.” — Hammond
(316) “ Premierement il faut que nous ostions toute obstination, avant que nous puissions avoir les cols propres pour recevoir son joug.” — Fr. In the first place, we must lay aside all obstinacy before we can bend our necks to receive his yoke.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(8) Stubborn.Refractory.
That set not their heart aright.Literally, did not establish their heart, which preserves the parallelism better.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 631
JEWS AND CHRISTIANS COMPARED
Psa 78:8. A generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
HISTORY is universally considered as a source of the most valuable instruction, since it sets before us the actions of men, under all the most important circumstances of life, and teaches us what to avoid, and what to follow. But in this point of view the inspired history is of incomparably greater value than any other, because it portrays the conduct of men under an infinitely greater variety of circumstances than any other history can do, and does it also with far greater truth and certainty. Its importance in this respect is strongly marked by the Psalmist in the preceding context. He calls on the whole Jewish nation to listen to him, whilst he sets before them the dealings of Jehovah with their ancestors, and their conduct towards him: and he charges them to impart the information to their children, in order to its being transmitted through successive generations to their latest posterity; that all might learn their obligations to God, and be instructed to avoid the evils into which their ancestors had fallen: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be, as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
With a view to a similar improvement of the subject for ourselves, I will point out,
I.
The character of that generation
To estimate this aright, we must consider what might reasonably have been expected of them
[No nation under heaven were ever so distinguished by the Divine favour as they. The wonders that were wrought for them in Egypttheir passage through the Red Sea, in which the enemies who followed them were drownedtheir being guided by a cloud which afforded them shade by day, and light by nighttheir being nourished for forty years by bread from heaven, and by water, which, issuing from a rock, followed them in all their waytheir having the Law written by the finger of God himself given them, together with laws and ordinances for the political and religious government of their nationtheir having the river Jordan open a passage for them as the sea had formerly donethe seven nations, greater and mightier than they, all subdued before themthe promised land in due time put into their possession; and the worship of God, with all its attendant privileges and blessings, established amongst themthese were favours peculiar to that nation, and elevated them above all other people upon the face of the earth. Respecting their superior obligations to love and serve God on account of these things, Moses made an appeal to their forefathers, which appeal may still be made to their descendants at the present day [Note: Deu 4:32-35.]
Now, I ask, what might reasonably be expected of a people so favoured? Might it not be supposed, that they would love their God supremely, and cleave to him steadfastly, and trust in him confidently, and serve him with their whole hearts? One would think it impossible that they should do otherwise, if we did not know that]
The very reverse of this characterized their whole deportment
[Their whole history from the beginning records one continued series of murmurings and rebellions. In Egypt itself, and within a few days after their passage through the Red Seabut how shall I recite all their provocations? I must recite their whole history, if I would bring before you the full extent of their wickedness. Now and then they seemed to manifest a better spirit. When they saw all their enemies dead upon the sea-shore, they began to sing praise to their almighty Deliverer: and on some occasions, when he punished them for their rebellions, they manifested some contrition, and promised to amend [Note: ver. 3437.] But they soon returned to their former habits, and turned aside like a deceitful bow, which, when promising to carry the arrow to the mark, causes it to drop at your very feet [Note: ver. 57.]. At no time did they evince any real desire to set their heart aright; and, when they professed any such purpose, they soon forgat their engagements, and shewed, that their spirit was not steadfast with their God.]
Now from having so complete a knowledge of them, we are ready to imagine, that they were as far beyond all others in depravity as they were in their privileges. But, that we may do justice to the character of that generation, let us proceed to consider,
II.
The character of ours
The favours conferred on us are as superior to any bestowed on them as it is possible to conceive
[Their redemption was from oppressive task-masters; but ours is from sin and Satan, death and hell. Theirs was accomplished by power only; ours by a price surpassing all calculation, even the inestimably precious blood of Gods only-begotten Son. Theirs was for a time in the earthly Canaan; ours for eternity in heaven. Theirs was a mere shadow; ours is the substance ]
What then may not reasonably be expected of us?
[Suppose we could divest ourselves of all recollection that we were a party concerned in this matter, and were called upon to give our opinion, how any people, so favoured as we have been, might be expected to requite their heavenly Benefactor; what answer should we give? Should we not say, There will be no bounds to their gratitude: they will adore their God day and night: they will almost grudge a moment that is not spent in his praise: they will commit all their concerns to him with a confidence which nothing can shake; and devote themselves to him with an ardour which nothing can abate: they will be wholly his, in body, soul, and spirit; and will look for his presence and his blessing as the only portion of their souls? ]
And how is it with us?
[How is it with the generality? Do they set their heart aright towards him? Is there in their hearts any real determination to live to him, and for him, as their rightful Lord and Master? Is there any decided purpose to secure at all events an interest in that redemption which he has wrought out for them: and to live entirely on Him, who has lived and died for them? Let me rather ask, Is there any concern about their heart at all? Provided only they be moral in their lives, and regular in their attendance on ordinances, do they not think themselves at liberty to set their affections on things below, instead of reserving them exclusively for things above? See, in their converse with the world, how little they savour of heaven and heavenly things! See them even in their religious worship, (whether in the closet, or the family, or the public assembly,) how cold and formal all their services are; performed from a sense of duty, rather than from inclination; and with a view to satisfy their conscience, rather than to enjoy and glorify their God! In a word, instead of pointing like the needle to the pole, their heart rests indifferently in any other position than the right; and never, unless from some forcible impulse, and for a moment, points towards God as its rest at all.
And how is it with the greater part of those who profess godliness? As the former set not their heart aright, so these in their spirit are not steadfast with God. What lamentable instability is found in many who embrace the Gospel as a system, and number themselves amongst the Israel of God! They name the name of Christ; but depart not from iniquity: they profess to know him; but in works deny him: they have a name to live; but are really dead: or, if they run well, it is only for a season; they are soon diverted from their course; they are drawn aside by temptation; and though they begin in the Spirit, they end in the flesh. Thus it was in the Apostles days: and thus we are taught to expect it will be in every age, till that blessed period shall arrive, when all nations shall serve the Lord, and the Canaanite no more be found in the house of the Lord of hosts. The good-ground hearers are but few, in comparison of those whose unfruitfulness or instability disappoint the efforts of the labourer. Discontent with respect to what God has done, and distrust as to what he will do; a love of present gratifications, and a contempt of future good; a renunciation of God himself for base and worthless idols; are not evils peculiar to that generation: they exist and operate amongst ourselves with undiminished force; and in the conduct of the Israelites we have a mirror, wherein we may see our own faces, with the exception of a few who serve God in spirit and in truth. There is indeed, thanks be unto God! a generation of righteous persons, who are truly upright, and truly blessed [Note: Psa 14:5; Psa 112:2.]. But, for the most part, the present generation has little reason to boast against that which is mentioned in our text: yea rather, inasmuch as our privileges exceed theirs, and our obligations to holiness are greater, it may well be doubted whether we are not more criminal than they; and whether they in the day of judgment will not rise up against us and condemn us.]
Address,
1.
Those who are satisfied with themselves
[We are told that there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their filthiness [Note: Pro 30:12.]. Yes, thousands are well satisfied with themselves on account of their outward morality, though they have no real spirituality of mind, no entire devotedness of heart to God. But let it be remembered, that God looketh not at the outward appearance, but at the heart: he requireth truth in the inward parts. And to the heart must we also look: for as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. I mean not that we should take no notice of our actions; because if they be bad, our hearts must of necessity be bad also; since it is out of the abundance of the heart that we both speak and act. But actions, though good in appearance, will not suffice to prove our integrity before God. By the heart alone he judges: (acts are regarded only as proofs and evidences of our state:) and according as that is found upright or hypocritical before him, will our sentence at his tribunal be. Let us then look well to the truth of our profession, and to the stability of our ways. Let us see to it, that our heart is set aright to glorify his name, and that our spirit is steadfast with him, whatever temptations or difficulties be put in our way. For then only have we a good hope, when we are Israelites indeed, and without guile [Note: Joh 1:47.].]
2.
Those who are conscious of their departures from God
[To see that we have erred from his ways is the first step towards a return to him. If you see then a resemblance between yourselves and the Jews of old, be thankful that God has not yet sworn in his wrath that you shall not enter into his rest. And without delay flee to the Saviour, whose blood will cleanse you from all sin. Yet be not content to have your sins forgiven. When you pray with David, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow, forget not to add, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me!. The old heart must be taken away, and a new heart be given you, before you can enter into the kingdom of heaven. You must be born again, and become new creatures in Christ Jesus. You must become the very reverse of what the world are, regarding God, as they regard the world; and the world, as they regard their God. When they are in holy exercises, they are quite out of their element: but when engaged in worldly pursuits or company, they are quite at home. Be ye, on the contrary, strangers in the world, and at home with God. Let your whole life and conversation testify for you, whose you are, and whom you serve: and then will God acknowledge you as his in the eternal world.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Ver. 8. And might not be as their fathers ] Fathers are not always to be followed, Eze 20:18-19 . He zealously affected his fathers, but not well, who said, I will follow them sicut bos armentum, etiamsi ruant, though I fall with them (Cicero Epist.).
A stubborn and rebellious generation
A generation that set not, &c.
And whose spirit was not stedfast with God
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
rebellious. Compare Deu 9:24; Deu 31:27.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
with. Some codices, with six early printed editions, read “toward”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
as their: Psa 68:6, Psa 106:7, Exo 32:9, Exo 33:3, Exo 33:5, Exo 34:9, Deu 9:6, Deu 9:13, Deu 31:27, 2Ki 17:14, Eze 2:3-8, Eze 20:8, Eze 20:18, Mat 23:31-33, Act 7:51
set not: Heb. prepared not, Psa 78:37, 2Ch 12:14, 2Ch 19:3, 2Ch 20:33, 2Ch 30:19
whose: Psa 78:37, Deu 4:4, Jos 14:8, Jos 14:9, Act 11:23
Reciprocal: Deu 9:7 – from the day Deu 9:27 – look not Deu 32:5 – a perverse Jos 22:15 – General Jdg 2:19 – stubborn Neh 9:16 – dealt Job 11:13 – prepare Psa 51:10 – right Psa 78:57 – they were Psa 106:6 – General Isa 1:4 – a seed Isa 43:27 – first father Isa 48:4 – I knew Isa 63:10 – vexed Jer 3:17 – imagination Jer 11:10 – iniquities Jer 13:10 – imagination Hos 5:4 – They will not frame their doings Zec 1:4 – as Mal 3:7 – from the Luk 1:17 – to make Luk 9:41 – perverse Luk 9:62 – No 1Co 15:58 – be ye Col 2:5 – and the Heb 3:10 – err
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
78:8 And might not be as their {g} fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
(g) Though these fathers were the seed of Abraham and the chosen people, yet he shows by their rebellion, provocation, falsehood, and hypocrisy, that the children should not follow their examples.