Psalm 78:4 kjv
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
Psalm 78:4 nkjv
We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 78:4 niv
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Psalm 78:4 esv
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78:4 nlt
We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
Psalm 78 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
| Deut 4:9 | "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen… Make them known to your children and your children's children." | Command to remember and teach God's deeds |
| Deut 6:7 | "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way..." | Continual instruction of God's commands to children |
| Deut 11:19 | "You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way..." | Perpetual teaching of God's words to the next generation |
| Ex 10:2 | "that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." | Purpose of God's acts: to be recounted and known by future kin |
| Jos 4:6-7 | "...When your children ask in time to come, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off..." | Establishing monuments to remember and teach God's miracles |
| Ps 44:1 | "O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old." | Generational passing down of God's historical works |
| Ps 71:18 | "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." | Pledge to declare God's might to subsequent generations |
| Ps 145:4-6 | "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds..." | Commitment to declare God's deeds generationally |
| Joel 1:3 | "Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to the next generation." | Command to pass on important events through multiple generations |
| Judg 2:10 | "And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel." | Consequence of failing to teach and know God's works |
| Ps 77:11-12 | "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." | Remembering and meditating on God's wonders and deeds |
| Ps 105:1-5 | "Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!... Remember the wondrous works that he has done..." | Exhortation to remember and make known God's wondrous works |
| Isa 25:1 | "O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and true." | Acknowledging God's wonderful, faithful deeds |
| Jer 32:20 | "You have done signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day." | God's ongoing signs and wonders that established His name |
| Acts 2:11 | "...we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." | The early church proclaiming the mighty works of God (Pentecost) |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." | New Testament mandate to proclaim God's excellencies (works) |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." | The Great Commission, continuing the theme of teaching generations |
| Ps 96:3 | "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" | Spreading God's glory and marvelous works universally |
| Ps 8:2 | "Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger." | God using even the weakest to testify of His strength (echoes childhood teaching) |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." | Apostolic instruction for passing on doctrine through reliable people |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 4 Meaning
This verse declares the unwavering commitment to faithfully transmit God's marvelous works and attributes to all future generations. It underscores the vital responsibility to openly recount the LORD's praiseworthy deeds, His formidable strength, and His miraculous acts, ensuring that no part of divine history or revelation is concealed from those who follow. It is an instruction and a vow to continuously teach God's past interventions to prevent forgetfulness and maintain a covenant relationship through learning.
Psalm 78 4 Context
Psalm 78 is a "maskil," or instructional psalm, attributed to Asaph. It serves as a comprehensive historical review of God's dealings with Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of Davidic kingship. The chapter opens with an appeal to pay attention to God's instruction, linking the teaching of divine truth to future generations as a primary duty. This particular verse (Ps 78:4) sets the thematic purpose of the psalm, asserting the resolve not to conceal the historical record of God's mighty acts but to diligently recount them. The historical context includes the nation of Israel frequently forgetting God's past deliverances, leading to disobedience, and subsequent suffering. This psalm aims to counter that recurring forgetfulness by providing a comprehensive historical lesson, emphasizing God's steadfastness despite Israel's stubbornness, thereby warning against repeating past mistakes and encouraging faithfulness in future generations. It reinforces the importance of oral tradition as a core method for transmitting religious and national identity.
Psalm 78 4 Word analysis
- We will not hide them: (Hebrew: לֹא נְכַחֵדָם, lo nekhaḥēdam) This phrase expresses a firm and intentional commitment to transparency. "Hide" (kāḥaḏ) means to conceal, to keep secret, or to forget. The negative emphasizes an active, deliberate choice not to omit or obscure these crucial divine narratives. It directly contrasts the human tendency to forget or reinterpret history to suit present convenience.
- from their children: (Hebrew: מִבְּנֵיהֶם, mibněhēem) Refers to the immediate offspring, highlighting the familial responsibility inherent in the transmission of faith and history within the Israelite community. This emphasis aligns with the covenantal importance of parental instruction found throughout the Torah.
- but tell: (Hebrew: וּלְדוֹר, uləḏōr, more accurately מְסַפְּרִים, mesapparîm from an implicit context, meaning to recount/narrate) The root "sapar" means to recount, narrate, or number. This signifies a comprehensive and detailed account, not just a passing mention. It implies an active, educational role, conveying the full scope of God's deeds.
- to the coming generation: (Hebrew: דּוֹר אַחֲרוֹן, dōr aḥarôn) "Aharon" means "last" or "succeeding." This term indicates a continuous succession of generations, underscoring the perpetual nature of this educational mandate. It's not just for the next immediate generation, but for every generation that follows, ensuring an unbroken chain of spiritual heritage.
- the glorious deeds of the LORD: (Hebrew: תְּהִלּוֹת יְהוָה, təhillôt YHWH) "Tehillot" means "praises" or "praiseworthy acts." These are not merely historical facts, but actions that evoke praise, reverence, and adoration for God. "YHWH" is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, emphasizing that these deeds reveal His character as the covenant-keeping God.
- and his might: (Hebrew: וּגְבוּרָתוֹ, uḡḇûrātô) Refers to God's power, strength, or valor, particularly demonstrated in acts of deliverance or judgment. This highlights God's sovereignty and His capacity to intervene powerfully in human affairs.
- and the wonders: (Hebrew: וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו, wəniplaʾōṯāyw) "Nifla'ot" refers to miraculous, extraordinary, or incomprehensible deeds that demonstrate God's unique and transcendent nature, often defying natural explanation. These acts serve as unmistakable evidence of His divine power and presence.
- that he has done: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, ʾašer ‘āśāh) This concluding phrase emphasizes that the "glorious deeds," "might," and "wonders" are not abstract concepts but tangible, historical actions performed by God. It ties the abstract attributes to concrete events, making them verifiable and foundational to faith.
- "We will not hide them... but tell... to the coming generation": This contrast highlights a deliberate and active choice. It's a refusal of passive omission and an affirmation of active proclamation. It speaks to a commitment to spiritual mentorship across the family line, recognizing the potential for spiritual amnesia in successive generations if knowledge is not deliberately imparted.
- "the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done": This tripartite listing encapsulates the totality of God's revealing acts. "Glorious deeds" are acts that deserve praise; "might" points to His power; and "wonders" signifies His miraculous interventions. Together, they form a comprehensive portrait of God's activity in history, demonstrating both His character and His capabilities.
Psalm 78 4 Bonus section
This verse reflects a deeply ingrained principle in ancient Israelite culture: the primacy of oral tradition and familial instruction in preserving their unique relationship with YHWH. The Hebrew language structure used here, particularly the "We will not hide" (negative), emphasizes that it is not merely a suggestion, but a solemn oath and a non-negotiable duty. This duty serves as a countermeasure against syncretism and idolatry, which were constant threats. Forgetting YHWH's mighty works meant losing their unique identity and raison d'être, often leading to embracing the practices and deities of surrounding nations. The act of "telling" is akin to storytelling in its most profound sense—creating a shared narrative that forms collective memory, shapes identity, and guides future conduct. This imperative applies beyond biological descendants, extending to all who come "after," whether through birth or spiritual adoption, establishing a foundational principle for intergenerational discipleship within God's people throughout all ages.
Psalm 78 4 Commentary
Psalm 78:4 acts as a programmatic statement for the entire psalm, encapsulating the core duty of Israel: the faithful transmission of God's mighty acts to subsequent generations. It acknowledges the inherent risk of forgetfulness that could lead to apostasy, as vividly illustrated throughout Israel's history in the very psalm itself. The verse does not simply suggest remembrance but demands an active, intentional recounting of divine interventions—the "glorious deeds," "might," and "wonders." These are not just historical facts, but events that reveal God's unchanging character as the covenant-keeping LORD, a God of power, faithfulness, and miraculous intervention. By recounting these, families and the community would continually reinforce their identity as God's people, shaped by His redemptive work, thereby learning from past failures and renewing their commitment to His ways. This process is essential for maintaining covenant fidelity and for raising children who "might set their hope in God" (Ps 78:7). The example set here for parents and the believing community is to weave the narratives of God's works into daily life, making spiritual education a lived, ongoing reality.