Psalm 78 55

Psalm 78:55 kjv

He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.

Psalm 78:55 nkjv

He also drove out the nations before them, Allotted them an inheritance by survey, And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.

Psalm 78:55 niv

He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

Psalm 78:55 esv

He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.

Psalm 78:55 nlt

He drove out the nations before them;
he gave them their inheritance by lot.
He settled the tribes of Israel into their homes.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 55 Meaning

Psalm 78:55 narrates the unwavering faithfulness of God in establishing the nation of Israel in the land He promised. It describes God's direct, sovereign action in expelling the existing nations from Canaan and meticulously allocating the land to the tribes of Israel, providing them a secure and settled dwelling, fulfilling His ancient covenant promises.

Psalm 78 55 Context

Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm that recounts God's faithfulness to Israel from the Exodus to the time of David, contrasting it with Israel's repeated rebellion and idolatry. It serves as a didactic poem, teaching future generations about God's deeds and their ancestors' failures, to prevent them from repeating the same errors. Verse 55 specifically falls within the section describing the conquest of Canaan and the subsequent settlement. This verse highlights God's power and precision in fulfilling His promise of a dwelling place for His chosen people, a foundational event in Israel's history that solidified their identity and covenant relationship with Him. The psalm continually emphasizes that God's actions are driven by His sovereign purpose and covenant loyalty, despite Israel's frequent provocations.

Psalm 78 55 Word analysis

• He drove out (וַיְגָרֶשׁ wayyegaresh): This is a strong verb indicating forceful expulsion. It emphasizes God's active and decisive intervention. This wasn't a passive withdrawal by the nations, but a direct act of divine power to make way for Israel. It highlights God as the supreme authority over all lands and peoples.
• the nations (גּוֹיִם goyim): Refers to the various Canaanite peoples who inhabited the land prior to Israel's arrival (e.g., Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites). God's expulsion of them demonstrates His power over their armies, gods, and territorial claims. It also points to the holiness of the land from which their idolatry was to be removed.
• before them (מִפְּנֵיהֶם mippĕnêhem): Literally "from their face" or "from their presence." This clarifies that Israel was merely the recipient of God's action; it was God who cleared the path and removed the obstacles. This stresses divine initiative and Israel's dependency.
• apportioned them (וַיַּפִּיל לָהֶם wayyappīl lāhem): Literally "He caused to fall for them." This refers to the ancient practice of casting lots (goral) for division. It signifies that the land distribution was not arbitrary or left to human strategy, but divinely determined and approved, ensuring fairness and God's sanction on each tribal inheritance.
• an inheritance (נַחֲלָה naḥalāh): A foundational concept in Israelite theology. It denotes a permanent, God-given possession, not merely acquired by conquest, but bestowed as a right based on God's covenant promise to Abraham. This inheritance included the land, symbolizing security, belonging, and the fulfillment of God's faithfulness.
• by measure (בְּחֶבֶל מִדָּה bĕḥebel middah): Literally "by a measuring rope/line of measure." This indicates precision, order, and exactness in the distribution of the land. It implies that each tribal portion was carefully delimited and secured, reflecting divine wisdom and administrative skill in establishing His people. It also signifies that the land given was precisely as God intended, neither more nor less.
• and made the tribes of Israel dwell (וַיַּשְׁכֵּן שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל wayyashkēn shibṭê Yiśrāʾēl): This verb wayyashkēn implies God's act of settling or establishing them securely. It evokes the idea of making them "tabernacle" or "abide" permanently. This denotes not just physical habitation but a sense of secure and divinely sanctioned tenure in the land, marking the end of their nomadic wandering.
• in their tents (בְּאָהֳלֵיהֶם bĕʾāhŏlêhem): While "tents" might evoke a nomadic image, in this context, after settling, it refers metaphorically to their permanent residences or households within their allocated territories. It signifies a settled existence, distinct from their wilderness wanderings, and marks their established domesticity within the promised inheritance.

Psalm 78 55 Bonus section

The concept of "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה naḥalāh) is profoundly significant throughout the Bible, evolving from the physical land in the Old Testament to the spiritual inheritance in the New Testament. In Psalm 78:55, the land is a tangible manifestation of God's covenant promises and blessings. This act of dispossessing and then granting inheritance establishes God as the ultimate owner and sovereign dispenser of territories and destinies. The use of "by measure" suggests an orderly and just distribution, contrasting with arbitrary human acquisition. This divinely ordered settlement also speaks to the stability and identity God intended for Israel, as their very tribal existence became tied to specific territorial grants, symbolizing a new era of national life under God's watchful care. This foundational historical act underpins many later prophecies concerning Israel's future return to the land and the ultimate, eternal dwelling of God's people in the new heavens and new earth.

Psalm 78 55 Commentary

Psalm 78:55 serves as a profound testimony to God's sovereign faithfulness and active intervention in Israel's history. It asserts that the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land was entirely a divine work. God not only drove out the powerful nations before them through His irresistible power but also meticulously "apportioned" the land with precise "measure," ensuring that each tribe received its designated inheritance. This act of divine allotment underscores the security of their possession—it was not earned by conquest or human strategy, but a covenantal gift. Furthermore, God "made them dwell" securely in their assigned territories, marking the culmination of centuries of promises and the end of their nomadic existence. The verse therefore encapsulates God's ultimate fulfillment of His oath to Abraham, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His people, even when they proved unfaithful, providing a foundational truth for understanding His grace and power.