Psalm 78 35

Psalm 78:35 kjv

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

Psalm 78:35 nkjv

Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.

Psalm 78:35 niv

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.

Psalm 78:35 esv

They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.

Psalm 78:35 nlt

Then they remembered that God was their rock,
that God Most High was their redeemer.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 35 Meaning

The verse describes a momentary and superficial acknowledgement by the Israelites during a time of severe affliction. Under the pressure of divine judgment, they intellectually recalled and recognized that God, in His absolute supremacy and unwavering reliability, was their steadfast source of strength and the One who delivered them from bondage and distress. This recognition, however, was temporary and born out of duress, not from a true and lasting repentance of the heart.

Psalm 78 35 Context

Psalm 78 is a "Maschil," a didactic or instructional Psalm, purposed to teach Israel about its history, particularly the recurring pattern of God's faithfulness juxtaposed with their ancestral disobedience. It serves as a historical recount, warning future generations against the same pitfalls of rebellion and unbelief. The immediate context of verse 35 (Ps 78:32-39) illustrates a tragic cycle: despite God's judgments and plagues (vv. 30-31), the people superficially sought Him and momentarily "returned" (v. 34). Verse 35 describes this brief flicker of remembrance—an intellectual acknowledgement of God's identity and power. However, this turning was not from a changed heart but was fear-driven, as demonstrated by their quick reversion to lying and deceit in verses 36-37, reinforcing the psalm's central message about their enduring disloyalty despite God's consistent goodness.

Psalm 78 35 Word analysis

• And they remembered:

  • "And" (וַ, va): A simple conjunctive, indicating a sequence or consequence; after God's judgments, then they remembered.
  • "they remembered" (וַיִּזְכְּרוּ, vayyizk'ru): From the root זָכַר (zakhar), meaning to recall or call to mind. In this context, the subsequent verses clarify it as a temporary mental acknowledgment triggered by distress, rather than a deep, transformative, or obedient remembrance leading to sustained fidelity.

• that God was their rock,

  • "that" (כִּי, ki): A conjunction introducing the content of what they recalled.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): The most common biblical Hebrew word for God, denoting Him as the powerful, majestic, and supreme Creator. Their acknowledgment was directed toward this powerful deity.
  • "their rock" (צוּרָם, tzuram): From the Hebrew צוּר (tsur), meaning a rock, cliff, or strong foundation. Metaphorically, God is depicted as unshakeable, an impregnable refuge, a source of unwavering strength, and utterly reliable. This attribute reflects His constancy and covenant faithfulness, which stands in stark contrast to their fickle nature.

• and the most high God their redeemer.

  • "and" (וְ, ve): Connects the second aspect of their remembrance.
  • "the most high" (עֶלְיוֹן, Elyon): From the root עָלָה (`alah), to ascend or be high. This title signifies God's absolute supremacy, His transcendence above all earthly powers, and His unique divinity. It emphasizes His paramount authority over all creation and nations, reinforcing His distinctness from any human or false god.
  • "God" (אֵל, El): A singular term for God, emphasizing His might and power. Its use here in conjunction with Elyon reiterates the divine nature of the Most High, underscoring His strength and unique identity.
  • "their redeemer" (גֹאֲלָם, go'alam): From the Hebrew root גָּאַל (ga'al), to redeem, reclaim, deliver, or ransom. This term carries profound connotations of a protector who delivers from danger, bondage, or obligation. It specifically references God's powerful acts of deliverance, most notably from Egyptian slavery, and His covenant role as their deliverer and preserver.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And they remembered": This phrase immediately sets the scene for a mental recollection of God's character. However, given the broader narrative of Psalm 78, this "remembering" is shallow; it's an intellectual ascent under duress, lacking true commitment, as subsequent verses prove its insincerity.
  • "that God was their rock": This declaration highlights Israel's cognitive grasp of God's fundamental attribute as their stable and unwavering foundation. Despite their wavering loyalty, they could identify Him as their solid strength and reliable protector in times of distress. This phrase emphasizes God's enduring steadfastness even when His people are not.
  • "and the most high God their redeemer": This further profound recognition combines two vital attributes. "Most High God" (Elyon El) acknowledges His supreme, sovereign authority over all things, elevating Him far above any other. "Their redeemer" (go'alam) points to His active, salvific interventions on their behalf throughout their history. Together, these phrases show an awareness of both God's transcendence and His compassionate immanence in their lives, demonstrating they knew who He was and what He had done, yet failed to truly obey.

Psalm 78 35 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of God's unchanging nature ("Rock," "Redeemer," "Most High") against Israel's constant unfaithfulness within Psalm 78 creates a powerful theological lesson. The use of "Rock" (צוּר) as a divine title recurs significantly throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Deut 32, Pss, Isa), always conveying God's unyielding character and dependability—a stark contrast to human instability. Similarly, "Most High" (עֶלְיוֹן) points to an ancient recognition of a supreme deity, yet it is Yahweh who is unequivocally affirmed as the truly Most High God, distinct from any fleeting, human-contrived divinities. The term "Redeemer" (גֹאֲלָם) carries a deep sense of kinsman responsibility and active intervention, setting the stage for the ultimate redemption to be accomplished through the Messiah. This verse, though showing Israel's shallow remembrance, nonetheless serves as a profound witness to God's steadfast attributes and consistent acts of deliverance, underlining that the failure lay not with God, but with their fickle hearts.

Psalm 78 35 Commentary

Psalm 78:35 encapsulates a poignant moment in Israel's cycle of rebellion and fleeting repentance. Under the pressure of God's disciplining hand, the Israelites momentarily recalled fundamental truths about God. They remembered Him as their "Rock"—the unwavering source of their strength and refuge, a solid foundation in the face of chaos and their own inconsistency. They also acknowledged Him as the "Most High God," recognizing His absolute sovereignty and transcendent authority, and as their "Redeemer"—the one who had faithfully delivered them from bondage and adversaries throughout their history. While these acknowledgments were theologically sound, the subsequent verses reveal them as superficial and crisis-driven, born out of fear of judgment rather than genuine change of heart. It illustrates the danger of a faith that is intellectual or merely responsive to calamity, without true, inward transformation and consistent loyalty.

• This verse warns against a mere intellectual understanding of God's attributes without corresponding heart obedience.
• It serves as a cautionary tale against "bargaining" with God or only turning to Him during times of severe distress, without a lasting commitment.
• It highlights the importance of not just knowing about God, but genuinely loving and trusting Him in all circumstances, lest our "remembrance" proves as fleeting as Israel's.