Psalm 78 7

Psalm 78:7 kjv

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psalm 78:7 nkjv

That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;

Psalm 78:7 niv

Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78:7 esv

so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

Psalm 78:7 nlt

So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 7 Meaning

Psalm 78:7 articulates the essential purpose of transmitting God's Law and the history of His mighty deeds to future generations: that they might place their trust firmly in God, consciously remember and acknowledge His works throughout history, and diligently obey His divine commands. This verse underscores the interconnectedness of faith, memory, and obedience as the foundation for a life devoted to God and the prevention of the historical failures of the ancestors.

Psalm 78 7 Context

Psalm 78 is an extended masqil, or instructional poem, penned by Asaph. It recounts Israel's long history from the Exodus to David's reign, emphasizing the continuous pattern of God's faithfulness versus Israel's recurrent disobedience and rebellion. The immediate context of verse 7 is the psalmist's declaration in verses 1-6 regarding the duty to teach God's "testimony" and "law" to succeeding generations. This historical instruction serves a specific pedagogical purpose: to ensure that the children would not be like their forefathers, who proved to be "stubborn and rebellious" (v. 8). Therefore, verse 7 explicitly states the desired outcome of this intergenerational transmission of divine truth and historical accounts – to prevent the mistakes of the past by fostering true faith, active remembrance, and devoted obedience. This psalm serves as a polemic against the natural human tendency to forget God's goodness, doubt His power, and rely on self rather than divine truth, which historically led to covenant breaking and spiritual decline in Israel.

Psalm 78 7 Word analysis

• That they might set their hope: The Hebrew is יָשִׂ֥ימוּ בְאֵל֙ (yāśîmū ve'ēl), meaning literally "they might place in God." The verb śîm (שִׂים) signifies to "put, place, establish, appoint," indicating a deliberate and active choice rather than a passive inclination. Coupled with ve'ēl (in God), it implies placing one's reliance, trust, or confidence entirely upon God. This is an active form of faith and secure dependence. It counters self-reliance or trust in fleeting human constructs.
• in God: The Hebrew be'ēl (בְּאֵל֙) refers to God as the true, sovereign divine power. Placing hope "in God" speaks to a foundational theological conviction that He alone is worthy of ultimate trust and is capable of fulfilling His promises and acting powerfully.
• and not forget: The negative injunction wĕlō’ yiškĕḥû (וְלֹ֣א יִשְׁכְּח֣וּ) uses the verb shākaḥ (שָׁכַח), which means to forget, neglect, or abandon. In biblical thought, "forgetting God" is more than a lapse of memory; it often implies an intentional disregard, an active turning away from covenant loyalty, and a failure to acknowledge God's presence and works. It leads to practical godlessness.
• the works of God: The phrase ma‘alêlê ’ēl (מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵֽל) uses ma‘alāl (מַעֲלָל), referring to God's deeds, actions, or achievements. This specifically points to His mighty acts of intervention in history – His deliverance, judgment, provision, and faithfulness to His people as documented, for instance, in the Exodus, the wilderness wanderings, and the conquest of Canaan. Remembering these works validates His power, trustworthiness, and sovereignty, providing a basis for hope and obedience.
• but keep: The verb yišmōrû (יִשְׁמֹֽרוּ), from shāmar (שָׁמַר), means to guard, preserve, observe, or diligently keep. This signifies active and intentional obedience, not just intellectual assent. It implies holding fast to God's instructions as something precious and vital, protecting them from neglect or deviation.
• his commandments: The noun miṣwōṯāw (מִצְוֹתָיו) refers to God's divine instructions, precepts, and laws. These are not arbitrary rules but divine revelations of His will, guiding humanity towards righteous living and flourishing relationships with Him and others.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• That they might set their hope in God: This phrase highlights the ultimate aim of divine education: fostering absolute trust in God. It's an internal posture of faith that directs one's entire being towards Him, providing spiritual stability and a foundation for all action. This is the desired outcome contrasting with Israel's historical tendency to put trust in their own strength or pagan gods.
• and not forget the works of God: This emphasizes the importance of memory as a basis for faith and obedience. Remembering God's past interventions and acts of power is crucial to prevent doubt and straying. The "works of God" are concrete demonstrations of His character and power, serving as tangible evidence for trusting Him and obeying His word.
• but keep his commandments: This signifies the practical outworking of hope and remembrance. True hope in God and memory of His works naturally lead to active obedience. Keeping God's commandments is not a burdensome legalism but a loving response to His character and deeds, confirming one's faith and maintaining the covenant relationship. This tripartite purpose (trust, remember, obey) is divinely integrated for covenant fidelity and human well-being.

Psalm 78 7 Bonus section

The three imperatives in Psalm 78:7—to hope, remember, and keep—form a unified theological chain for living faithfully. Hope in God is built upon the foundation of remembering His works, and both hope and memory find their tangible expression and confirmation in the keeping of His commandments. A failure in one area impacts the others: forgetting His works leads to a diminished hope, which then makes obedience feel burdensome or unnecessary. Conversely, consistent obedience reinforces hope and memory, drawing believers deeper into His truth. This dynamic highlights that biblical memory is not merely recall, but a responsive act of the will, acknowledging God's identity and power. The recounting of history in Psalm 78 functions as a sermon, a means by which subsequent generations might avoid their predecessors' pitfalls and truly live by faith.

Psalm 78 7 Commentary

Psalm 78:7 reveals the divine pedagogy underlying the transmission of truth through generations. The teaching of God's word and recounting of His historical deeds serve not as mere academic exercises but as purposeful means to cultivate specific spiritual conditions. First, a firm and active hope (trust) in God is paramount, rejecting reliance on human ingenuity or fleeting circumstances. Second, a diligent remembrance of God's powerful "works" — His interventions and faithfulness in history — provides the vital evidence that validates His trustworthiness and capability. Forgetting these deeds leads to a loss of perspective, breeding doubt and apostasy. Finally, this hope and memory culminate in a commitment to "keep His commandments." Obedience flows naturally from genuine trust and grateful remembrance; it is the practical expression of a heart truly devoted to God. The failure of previous generations lay in their lack of consistent hope, their proneness to forget, and their subsequent disobedience. This verse offers the antidote, a pathway to true covenant faithfulness.