Psalm 78 5

Psalm 78:5 kjv

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

Psalm 78:5 nkjv

For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children;

Psalm 78:5 niv

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,

Psalm 78:5 esv

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

Psalm 78:5 nlt

For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 5 Meaning

Psalm 78:5 declares that God definitively set forth His divine revelation and moral instruction (referred to as "testimony" and "law") within the nation of Israel, commencing with their ancestors. Crucially, this divine act included an explicit command and an enduring responsibility for the parents of each generation to diligently transmit these sacred truths and principles to their children, ensuring the continuous preservation and understanding of God's covenantal will for all time.

Psalm 78 5 Context

Psalm 78 is a "maschil" or instructional psalm by Asaph, serving as a didactic historical poem for the nation of Israel. It recounts God's benevolent dealings with Israel from the Exodus through their rebellious wanderings in the wilderness and up to the reign of David. The purpose of this historical review is not merely to narrate facts, but to educate the current and future generations. Verse 5 sets the foundational premise: God initiated the relationship by revealing His divine instructions and covenant requirements to the patriarchs, not as an optional suggestion, but as a binding command for them to perpetuate this knowledge among their descendants. This initial act of revelation and the subsequent command to teach are presented as the crucial backdrop against which Israel's recurring failures and God's consistent faithfulness will be understood throughout the rest of the psalm.

Psalm 78 5 Word analysis

• For He established (הֵקִים - heqim from `qum`): Literally "caused to rise" or "set up." This denotes a deliberate, foundational act of divine establishment. It implies permanence, authority, and intentionality; God actively initiated and grounded this revelation.
• a testimony (עֵדוּת - edut): Refers to a solemn declaration, an attestation, or a witness. In a covenantal context, it signifies divine decrees, precepts, and stipulations that bear witness to God's character and His will. It often refers to the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and the covenant text itself, often placed within the Ark of the Covenant, signifying its sacred and foundational importance.
• in Jacob (בְּיַעֲקֹ֨ב - b'ya'aqov): Refers to the collective body of Israel, descended from the patriarch Jacob. It highlights the specific recipients of God's covenantal revelation, signifying a distinct chosen people. "Jacob" often emphasizes the ancestral, foundational identity of the nation.
• and appointed (וַיָּשֶׂם - vayyasem from `sam`): Literally "placed" or "set." This term reinforces the intentional act of establishing, conveying divine authority and specific placement of the law within Israel's life.
• a law (תּוֹרָה - Torah): Broadly means "instruction," "teaching," or "guidance." While it encompasses legal codes, Torah in its fullest sense refers to God's complete revelation, His divine wisdom, and His pathway for life, leading to covenant relationship. It is more than mere rules; it's God's way of revealing Himself and guiding His people.
• in Israel (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל - b'yisra'el): Another poetic or national name for the people of God, often emphasizing their identity as "God strives" or "prince of God," highlighting their corporate existence as a nation under divine authority. "Israel" and "Jacob" here function as poetic parallelism, emphasizing the unified nation.
• which He commanded (צִוָּה - tsivvah from `tsavah`): Signifies a binding order or directive. This is not a suggestion but a divine imperative. The instruction to teach was as authoritative and necessary as the Law itself.
• our fathers (אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ - avoteinu): Refers to the ancestral generations, specifically those who received the Law at Sinai and passed through the wilderness. It connects the current generation to the historical, foundational revelation.
• that they should teach them (יוֹדִיעַ - yodia' from `yada`): Hiphil of the verb "to know." It means "to make known," "to instruct," "to cause to know." It implies active, intentional transmission of knowledge and understanding, not just casual imparting of information but thorough discipleship.
• to their children (לִבְנֵיהֶֽם - livneihem): Refers to their offspring, the succeeding generations. This highlights the crucial intergenerational continuity and the responsibility to pass on spiritual heritage.

• "He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel": This phrase highlights the twofold nature of God's revelation: a "testimony" emphasizing a witness to His truth and a "law" signifying divine instruction and guidance for life. The parallelism between "Jacob" and "Israel" underscores that this was given to the entire collective nation. This was a foundational act by God, not something Israel discovered or created.
• "which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children": This clause clarifies the divine mandate inherent in the reception of God's law. It's not just for the initial generation but comes with a solemn, God-given duty to instruct subsequent generations. This transforms the receiving of revelation into a continuous pedagogical cycle within the covenant community.

Psalm 78 5 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of "testimony" (עֵדוּת - edut) and "law" (תּוֹרָה - Torah) in Psalm 78:5 underscores the multifaceted nature of God's revelation to Israel. "Testimony" often alludes to God's self-declaration, His covenant claims, and especially the Ten Commandments inscribed on tablets, which served as "the testimony" within the Ark. It speaks to the factual witness of God's truth. "Torah," while often translated "Law," is far broader, encompassing all of God's instruction, guidance, and wisdom. Together, they represent the full scope of God's communicative act to His people, not just as a set of rules, but as the very foundation of their identity and relationship with Him. This divine pedagogical emphasis resonates strongly throughout Deuteronomy, often considered the 'handbook' for passing on faith, laying the groundwork for Israel's enduring survival and spiritual vitality beyond their initial experience with God. The verse posits that the perpetuation of Israel's spiritual life hinges directly on this commanded educational process.

Psalm 78 5 Commentary

Psalm 78:5 unveils the foundational principle of divine revelation and its intergenerational transmission within the covenant community. God's initiative in "establishing a testimony" and "appointing a law" in Israel points to the immutable and authoritative nature of His word. This divine provision, delivered directly to their ancestors, was never intended to be a private or perishable legacy for one generation. Instead, it was coupled with an explicit, divinely ordained command for diligent, active, and continuous instruction. "Teaching them to their children" encapsulates a core biblical mandate for spiritual pedagogy – a sacred responsibility for parents and elders to immerse the youth in the knowledge, values, and practices derived from God's word, ensuring a living faith endures through successive generations. This verse, therefore, highlights God's ongoing faithfulness to reveal Himself and His concurrent expectation that His people faithfully preserve and propagate this sacred knowledge as the cornerstone of their covenant life and identity. It is a divine blueprint for spiritual heritage.