Psalm 78:72 kjv
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:72 nkjv
So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Psalm 78:72 niv
And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Psalm 78:72 esv
With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
Psalm 78:72 nlt
He cared for them with a true heart
and led them with skillful hands.
Psalm 78 72 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 13:14 | "...the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart..." | God sought a leader with a right heart. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "...man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." | God prioritizes internal character. |
| Ps 23:1 | "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." | God is the ultimate shepherd. |
| Isa 40:11 | "He will tend his flock like a shepherd..." | God's compassionate shepherding. |
| Jer 23:4 | "I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them..." | Prophecy of good future shepherds (leaders). |
| Ezek 34:23 | "And I will set up one shepherd over them, my servant David..." | Prophecy of the coming Messiah as Shepherd. |
| Jn 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." | Jesus as the ultimate good shepherd. |
| Acts 13:22 | "...he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart...'" | David's divine calling and character. |
| Heb 13:20 | "...the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus..." | Jesus is the supreme shepherd. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... not domineering over those in your charge..." | Admonition for spiritual leaders. |
| 1 Kgs 3:6 | "...you showed great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart..." | Solomon affirming David's character. |
| 1 Kgs 11:4 | "...his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." | Contrast to Solomon's lack of wholeheartedness. |
| Prov 2:6-7 | "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..." | Wisdom comes from God. |
| Prov 16:3 | "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." | God establishes efforts done for Him. |
| Deut 4:6 | "...this will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples..." | Obedience to God's law brings wisdom. |
| Dan 2:20-21 | "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings..." | God's sovereignty over leaders. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | "For not from the east or from the west... does exaltation come; but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and setting up another." | God appoints leaders. |
| Phil 2:13 | "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." | God enables both desire and ability. |
| 1 Tim 3:2 | "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach... self-controlled, upright..." | Qualities of godly leadership (integrity). |
| Titus 1:7-8 | "For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... just, holy, and disciplined." | Qualities of godly leadership (integrity/skill). |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable... that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." | Scripture equips for skillful work. |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 72 Meaning
Psalm 78:72 describes David's effective and righteous leadership of Israel, chosen by God to replace the prior failures. It highlights two essential qualities that enabled him to fulfill his divine mandate: an inner moral uprightness and outer practical competence. He cared for and directed the nation, not out of selfish ambition, but from a genuine, unblemished character, executing his responsibilities with adeptness and wisdom derived from God.
Psalm 78 72 Context
Psalm 78 is a "Maskil" or instructive psalm, reflecting on Israel's history from the Exodus to David's reign. Its primary purpose is to teach future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's recurrent rebellion, urging them to avoid repeating past sins and instead put their hope in God. Verses 70-71 specifically describe God's choice of David: from tending sheep, God selected him to be shepherd of His people, Jacob and Israel. Verse 72 then elaborates on how David fulfilled this divine appointment, emphasizing the characteristics that made him a good king, contrasting sharply with the failures of the Northern tribes and leaders mentioned earlier in the psalm (e.g., Ephraim's treachery). Historically, this refers to the early monarchy in Israel, where the nation transitioned from a tribal confederacy to a unified kingdom under a divinely appointed leader, highlighting the importance of leadership quality.
Psalm 78 72 Word analysis
- So he shepherded them: The "he" refers to David, identified in the preceding verses (Ps 78:70-71) as God's chosen leader. The verb "shepherded" (Hebrew: rā‘â) signifies more than mere leading; it encapsulates caring, protecting, feeding, guiding, and nurturing—all essential aspects of a king's responsibility towards his people. This draws a direct link to David's former profession, suggesting God prepares leaders through ordinary experiences.
- according to the integrity: The word "integrity" (Hebrew: tōm) signifies wholeness, completeness, blamelessness, moral uprightness, and sincerity. It denotes a person whose actions align with their inward motives and character, free from duplicity or corruption. It implies purity of intention.
- of his heart: The "heart" (Hebrew: lēbāb) in biblical thought is the core of a person—their intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. Therefore, "integrity of his heart" points to David's internal disposition: his sincere devotion to God, his unselfish motivations for leadership, and his unwavering commitment to justice. This highlights character as foundational.
- and guided them: The verb "guided" (Hebrew: nāḥāh) means to lead, conduct, direct, or pilot. It suggests active leadership, setting direction, making wise decisions, and providing effective governance. It implies a strategic and practical dimension to his rule.
- by the skillfulness: The term "skillfulness" (Hebrew: těḇûnôt) refers to understanding, discernment, practical wisdom, prudence, or insight. It's the ability to grasp complex situations, make wise judgments, and execute plans effectively. It points to practical competence, learned expertise, and aptitude for governance.
- of his hands: The "hands" are biblical symbols of action, work, and practical execution. "Skillfulness of his hands" indicates David's ability to put his wise discernment into effective action, to govern capably, make sound military decisions, administer justice, and handle the practicalities of leadership. It balances the internal purity of the heart with external capability.
Psalm 78 72 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of "heart" and "hands" creates a powerful merism, representing the entirety of David's leadership—from his innermost being to his outward actions. It signifies a holistic, divinely inspired leadership that balances virtue and vocation. This holistic view is a key biblical theme, evident in passages that link wisdom with practical outcomes. David's life, though not without blemish, consistently showed a core desire to follow God, and his reign demonstrated that character and capability are both essential for successful, God-honoring stewardship of a nation. This verse implicitly sets a standard not just for kings but for all who lead, whether in the church, home, or community.
Psalm 78 72 Commentary
Psalm 78:72 masterfully encapsulates the biblical ideal of leadership by presenting David as a paragon. His effective reign was rooted in a twofold excellence: his internal moral purity ("integrity of his heart") and his external practical competence ("skillfulness of his hands"). God chose David not merely because he was available, but because his heart was devoted, ensuring his leadership would be just and aligned with divine will. This inner uprightness was then manifested through practical wisdom and execution. It conveys that true godly leadership requires both unwavering character and astute ability—not just good intentions but also effective implementation. This verse provides a timeless standard, emphasizing that a leader’s greatest asset is not power or position, but the combination of a virtuous spirit and practical capacity to steward God's people with care and wisdom, foreshadowing the perfect Shepherd, Jesus Christ.