Psalm 78 42

Psalm 78:42 kjv

They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

Psalm 78:42 nkjv

They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy,

Psalm 78:42 niv

They did not remember his power? the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

Psalm 78:42 esv

They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,

Psalm 78:42 nlt

They did not remember his power
and how he rescued them from their enemies.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 42 Meaning

(h2)Psalm 78:42 encapsulates Israel's fundamental failure: a spiritual amnesia concerning God's active demonstration of omnipotent power and His specific, foundational act of redemption. It speaks to a profound forgetfulness not merely of a historical fact, but of the living reality and implication of God's redemptive work, leading to their subsequent disobedience and rebellion against Him. The verse underscores that their lack of remembering His might and His deliverance from slavery lay at the heart of their constant straying from His covenant path.

Psalm 78 42 Context

(h2)Psalm 78 is a "maskil," a didactic or instructional psalm of Asaph. It recounts a lengthy narrative of Israel's history from the Exodus through the early monarchy, particularly focusing on their repeated rebellion and God's persistent faithfulness. The primary purpose is to teach the next generation from the mistakes of their ancestors, lest they too become a "stubborn and rebellious generation" (Ps 78:8). Verse 42 stands as a central diagnosis for Israel's pervasive disobedience, coming after a catalogue of God's amazing miracles (like the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, manna, water from the rock, Ps 78:12-31) and preceding a description of their backsliding and God's judgment and patience. It frames their failures not as an accident, but as a direct consequence of a fundamental lack of memory concerning who God is and what He has done, particularly His initial redemptive act that defined their very existence as a nation.

Psalm 78 42 Word analysis

(h2)

• They: Refers to the Israelites, specifically the generations who experienced and witnessed God's mighty acts but continually rebelled, often from the Exodus generation onward. It implies a collective national failure.
• did not remember: The Hebrew word is zakhar (זָכַר), which means more than just a cognitive recollection. It signifies an active process of bringing to mind with the purpose of appropriate response. Thus, "did not remember" means they failed to consider, acknowledge, and respond to God's past actions in their present conduct. It indicates spiritual amnesia, a deep-seated forgetfulness that resulted in ingratitude and disobedience, often termed as forgetting their identity as God's redeemed people.
• His power: The Hebrew yado (יָדוֹ) literally means "His hand" or "His strong hand." This is a profound anthropomorphism representing God's active omnipotence, authority, and effective action. In the context of the Exodus, it powerfully refers to the overwhelming divine might displayed through the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and His provision in the wilderness, which definitively overcame the most powerful empire of their time. Forgetting His hand meant forgetting His unmatched sovereignty and ability to intervene.
• nor the day: This phrase emphasizes the precise time and momentous nature of a specific historical event. It points to a unique, foundational turning point. The particular "day" represents the culmination of God's mighty acts, signifying the ultimate point of deliverance.
• He redeemed them: The Hebrew is padah (פָּדָה), meaning to ransom, deliver, or buy back. It is a powerful term indicating God's intervention to liberate them from bondage, an act initiated solely by His grace and power. This act of redemption from Egyptian slavery was the cornerstone of their national identity and their covenant relationship with God. Forgetting this meant forgetting their very liberation and the covenant forged in that context.
• from the enemy: The Hebrew tzar (צָר) refers to an oppressor or adversary. In this historical context, it directly signifies the Egyptians and Pharaoh, who enslaved Israel. Their redemption was from a tangible and formidable foe, making God's power undeniably clear. Forgetting this also meant forgetting the overwhelming threat they were saved from, and thus undervaluing their Savior.
• words-group analysis:
  • They did not remember His power, nor the day: This highlights a double failure. Not only did they forget what God demonstrated (His power), but also when and how He used it in a specific, world-altering event (the day He redeemed them). This shows a comprehensive spiritual forgetfulness regarding both God's nature and His saving deeds, preventing them from drawing strength and obedience from past interventions.
  • His power... redeemed them from the enemy: This phrasing directly links God's inherent power to His redemptive action. It's not just a general display of might, but a targeted, purposeful application of that might for their deliverance. Forgetting this link leads to an ungrateful heart that underestimates both God's strength and His steadfast love.

Psalm 78 42 Bonus section

(h2)

• Didactic Purpose: Psalm 78 as a whole is designed to counter this historical amnesia, instructing future generations to learn from their predecessors' errors (Ps 78:6-8) by constantly rehearsing God's deeds.
• The Weight of Redemption: Forgetting redemption (peculiar to this verse’s emphasis on "the day") is a grave offense because it undervalues God's initiative, grace, and covenant faithfulness, effectively severing the gratitude and obligation inherent in their covenant relationship.
• Spiritual Amnesia: This concept illustrates how easy it is for even those who have witnessed or heard of God's miraculous works to lose sight of their significance, leading to an entitled attitude rather than grateful submission. It's a reminder that constant remembrance is vital for spiritual health.

Psalm 78 42 Commentary

(h2)Psalm 78:42 serves as a concise, yet profound, diagnostic statement for the recurring apostasy and spiritual decline of ancient Israel. It unveils a core issue: their repeated failure to truly remember God’s power (His demonstrated omnipotence) and, specifically, the day He redeemed them from their enemies. This "forgetting" was not a mere lapse of memory, but a deliberate neglect to internalize and live in light of these foundational truths. Because they ceased to truly reflect on God's incredible acts of deliverance, their hearts grew hard, their faith wavered, and they consequently challenged God, grumbled, and pursued idolatry. Their rebellion stemmed directly from this spiritual amnesia, preventing them from trusting His provision and obeying His commands. It underscores that understanding God's past acts of power and redemption is crucial for maintaining present faithfulness and for trusting Him through future trials. This verse acts as a solemn warning that a lack of appreciation for divine intervention inevitably leads to straying from God's path.