Remembering God: Four Days in Psalm 78

Full One Year Bible readings:
Monday, April 6,
Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20 ~ Luke 11:37-12:7 ~ Psalm 78:1-31 ~ Proverbs 12:19-20
Tuesday, April 7,
Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27 ~ Luke 12:8-34 ~ Psalm 78:32-55 ~ Proverbs 12:21-23
Wednesday, April 8,
Deuteronomy 32:28-52 ~ Luke 12:35-59 ~ Psalm 78:56-64 ~ Proverbs 12:24
Thursday, April 9,
Deuteronomy 33:1-29 ~ Luke 13:1-21 ~ Psalm 78:65-72 ~ Proverbs 12:25


Psalm 78 is a historical Psalm. The writer obviously had a heart to educate the congregation - not just pump them full of cliches and fluff. The Nation was struggling with the serious and startling issues of forgetfulness and utter rebellion toward God. This thesis is stated and described in the opening six verses.

What I like about this psalm is that it presents a great solution to the thesis both through the content and the medium itself. By placing the key events of Israel's history in a congregational worship song along with the reality of her rebellion toward God, the psalmist is attempting to single-handedly ensure that the Nation does not repeat this cycle - by reminding them of their dealings with God.

¹¹ They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.

¹² He did miracles in the sight of their fathers
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

¹³ He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand firm like a wall.

¹⁴ He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.

¹⁵ He split the rocks in the desert
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

¹⁶ he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.

¹⁷ But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.

Psalm 78:11-17

One of the main reasons we are "prone to wander" is we forget what God has done for us! We are all at risk of forgetting what God has done! Right now is an especially good time to remember - The Last Supper, the foot washing, the prayer, the betrayal, arrest, flogging, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Holy Spirit! He has done an awful lot!

Today, as an act of worship, remind yourself of what God has done, not only in your life personally, but also the things He has done for your friends, family members, church, community, and country.