Psalms 78: Tell the Next Generation

Psalm 78 is a contemplation by Asaph, as the title says. It teaches the history of Israel so that children will set their hope in God and not forget his deeds. God split the sea, led with a cloud and fire, and gave water from the rock and manna from the sky. The people often forgot him, but God was merciful. He chose David to be their shepherd.

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Read Psalms 78

World English Bible · 72 verses

¹ A contemplation by Asaph. Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For he established a covenant in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ that they might set their hope in God, and not forget God’s deeds, but keep his commandments,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ and might not be as their fathers— a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ They didn’t keep God’s covenant, and refused to walk in his law.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ They forgot his doings, his wondrous deeds that he had shown them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ He split the sea, and caused them to pass through. He made the waters stand as a heap.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Yet they still went on to sin against him, to rebel against the Most High in the desert.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters gushed out, and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Therefore Yahweh heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² because they didn’t believe in God, and didn’t trust in his salvation.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ Man ate the bread of angels. He sent them food to the full.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ He caused the east wind to blow in the sky. By his power he guided the south wind.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ He also rained meat on them as the dust, winged birds as the sand of the seas.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ He let them fall in the middle of their camp, around their habitations.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ So they ate, and were well filled. He gave them their own desire.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ They didn’t turn from their cravings. Their food was yet in their mouths,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their strongest, and struck down the young men of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² For all this they still sinned, and didn’t believe in his wondrous works.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought God earnestly.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God, their redeemer.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ he turned their rivers into blood, and their streams, so that they could not drink.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ He also gave their increase to the caterpillar, and their labor to the locust.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁷ He destroyed their vines with hail, their sycamore fig trees with frost.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁸ He also gave over their livestock to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁹ He threw on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, and a band of angels of evil.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁰ He made a path for his anger. He didn’t spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵¹ and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵² But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵³ He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁴ He brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had taken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁵ He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁶ Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁷ but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were twisted like a deceitful bow.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁸ For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵⁹ When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁰ so that he abandoned the tent of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶¹ and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶² He also gave his people over to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶³ Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁴ Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows couldn’t weep.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁵ Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁶ He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁷ Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph, and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁸ But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶⁹ He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷⁰ He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷¹ from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷² So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 78 · Preschool

Tell the Children

Name Date

Color the parent and child reading together. We tell children about God.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.”

Psalms 78:4 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Grown-ups tell children about God. Then the children tell their children! Who tells you about God?

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 78 · Grade 4

A History Lesson in a Song

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 78 calls it a contemplation by Asaph. It is one of the longest psalms. Asaph says, I will open my mouth in a parable. He will teach history so that it becomes a lesson. In the New Testament, Matthew says Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill this verse (Matthew 13:35).

The goal is faith passed down. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh. Each generation was to tell the next, so that they might set their hope in God. Asaph remembers how God split the sea, led with a cloud by day and fire by night, and gave water from the rock and manna from the sky.

Again and again the people forgot. They tested God and did not trust him. Yet he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn't destroy them. The psalm ends with hope: God chose Judah and Mount Zion, and he chose David his servant from the sheepfolds. David shepherded them with integrity of heart and skillful hands.

Show What You Know

How does Matthew connect this psalm to Jesus?
What is the goal of telling this history?
What did the people keep doing again and again?
How did David shepherd the people?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

GodchildrencloudDavidparable

Asaph says, I will open my mouth in a .
We will not hide them from their , telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh.
Each generation was to tell the next, so that they might set their hope in .
Asaph remembers how God split the sea, led with a by day and fire by night, and gave water from the rock and manna from the sky.
The psalm ends with hope: God chose Judah and Mount Zion, and he chose his servant from the sheepfolds.

Think About It

Who has told you stories about God? Who could you tell?
Why do you think the people kept forgetting God?

Memory Verse

“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.”

Psalms 78:4 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for your faithfulness to every generation. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How did God show mercy?
Which time God helped His people do you remember best?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 78 · Grade 5

Lest We Forget

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 78 calls it a contemplation by Asaph. It is a long teaching psalm that retells Israel's history from the exodus to King David. Asaph opens like a teacher: Hear my teaching, my people. I will open my mouth in a parable. In the New Testament, Matthew sees Jesus' parables as fulfilling this verse (Matthew 13:35). The purpose is stated in verses 5 to 7: God commanded the fathers to teach their children, so that the generation to come might know, and might set their hope in God.

The history is honest about failure. God split the sea, led with a cloud and fire, split rocks in the wilderness, and rained down manna, the bread of angels. Yet the people kept testing God. They spoke against him, asking, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? When God disciplined them, they returned for a while, but their hearts were not steadfast. The psalm pairs this pattern with Egypt's plagues and the settling of the land.

Running through the whole story is God's mercy. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away. Many times he turned his anger away. The story ends with grace: God rejected Shiloh but chose the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion. He chose David his servant from following the ewes, and David shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart. The lesson is that remembering God's works guards against forgetting God himself.

Show What You Know

What span of history does the psalm retell?
What question showed the people's lack of trust?
What did God remember about the people?
What does the psalm teach about remembering?

Crossword

Across

He brought streams also out of the ____.
And all night with a light of ____.
I will open my mouth in a ____.

Down

We will not hide them from their ____.
In the daytime he also led them with a ____.

Think About It

What habits help a family or church remember what God has done?
Why do you think God kept showing mercy when the people kept failing?

Memory Verse

“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done.”

Psalms 78:4 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for your faithfulness to every generation. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does it mean that their hearts were not steadfast?
How could your household keep God's deeds fresh in your mind?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Psalms 78: Tell the Next Generation

Read Psalms 78

Worksheets

Tell the Children

Prayer

Take It Home

Do Not Forget

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

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Take It Home

God's Great Deeds

Trace the Words

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Tell the Children

Prayer

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Tell the Children

Read the Story

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Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Don't Forget God's Deeds

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Tell the Children

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

A History Lesson in a Song

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Lest We Forget

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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