A well-written song by Asaph.
78:1 Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak!
78:2 I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past.
78:3 What we have heard and learned — that which our ancestors have told us —
78:4 we will not hide from their descendants. We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, about his strength and the amazing things he has done.
78:5 He established a rule in Jacob; he set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make his deeds known to their descendants,
78:6 so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them.
78:7 Then they will place their confidence in God. They will not forget the works of God, and they will obey his commands.
78:8 Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God.
78:9 The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle.
78:10 They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law.
78:11 They forgot what he had done, the amazing things he had shown them.
78:12 He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
78:13 He divided the sea and led them across it; he made the water stand in a heap.
78:14 He led them with a cloud by day, and with the light of a fire all night long.
78:15 He broke open rocks in the wilderness, and gave them enough water to fill the depths of the sea.
78:16 He caused streams to flow from the rock, and made the water flow like rivers.
78:17 Yet they continued to sin against him, and rebelled against the Sovereign One in the desert.