The Meaning of Psalms 78:52 Explained

Psalms 78:52

KJV: But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

YLT: And causeth His people to journey as a flock, And guideth them as a drove in a wilderness,

Darby: And he made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock;

ASV: But he led forth his own people like sheep, And guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But made his own people  to go forth  like sheep,  and guided  them in the wilderness  like a flock. 

What does Psalms 78:52 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 78:49-58 - Safely Led, Yet Bent On Wandering
This section of the psalm deals largely with the books of Joshua and Judges. The failures that had characterized the Wilderness crossed the Jordan with the Chosen People, and were the reason of their sufferings and captivities in what might otherwise have been a period of uninterrupted blessedness. In fact, the sins of the Land of Promise were even more disastrous. The Israelites were intended to be to Jehovah what the bow is to the huntsman or warrior; but they absolutely failed Him. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow, Psalms 78:57.
The lesson for older believers is very searching. Some readers of these words may recall that, at a notable period in the past, they crossed the river of death to sin and life unto God. Jordan stands for consecration. It should be remembered, however, that no matter how rich and lofty have been the experiences of past blessing, we cannot be immune from failures, unless we watch and pray and live in abiding fellowship with Jesus Christ. The soul which has passed the Jordan is attacked by the principalities and powers in the heavenlies, Ephesians 6:12, and has an even harder time of it. The nearer the Captain, the more perilous the position. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 78

1  An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9  The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67  The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David

What do the individual words in Psalms 78:52 mean?

But He made go forth like sheep His own people and guided them like a flock in the wilderness
וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר

וַיַּסַּ֣ע  But  He  made  go  forth 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָסַע  
Sense: to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart.
כַּצֹּ֣אן  like  sheep 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, common singular
Root: צֹאן  
Sense: small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks.
עַמּ֑וֹ  His  own  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם  and  guided  them 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: נָהַג 
Sense: to drive, lead, guide, conduct.
כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר  like  a  flock 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵדֶר  
Sense: flock, herd.
בַּמִּדְבָּֽר  in  the  wilderness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִדְבָּר 
Sense: wilderness.