Psalms 78 - Introduction

A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015.

This Psalm is a narrative of the wonderful things which God had done for his people Israel, from the time of their coming out of Egypt to that of David, and of their behaviour to him. And as it concludes there, Bishop Patrick is of opinion that it was probably composed by that Asaph who is called the singer, and who lived in the time of David. But why might it not have been composed by David himself? From the beginning and the close, there seem to be better reasons to conclude it to be the composition of David than of any other writer. The best comment upon it will be a reference to the various passages quoted in the margin. Here is,

(1,) The preface, Psalms 78:1.

(2,) The general scope of the Psalms, vv9-11.

(3,) As to the particulars, we are told what great things God had done for them; how ungrateful they had been for his favours; how God had justly punished them; and how graciously he had spared them, notwithstanding all their provocations, Psalms 78:12.