Psalms 78:1-8

Psalms 78:1-8

[1] [[Maschil  of Asaph.]]  Give ear,  O my people,  to my law:  incline  your ears  to the words  of my mouth.  [2] I will open  my mouth  in a parable:  I will utter  dark sayings  of old:  [3] Which we have heard  and known,  and our fathers  have told  us. [4] We will not hide  them from their children,  shewing  to the generation  to come  the praises  of the LORD,  and his strength,  and his wonderful works  that he hath done.  [5] For he established  a testimony  in Jacob,  and appointed  a law  in Israel,  which he commanded  our fathers,  that they should make them known  to their children:  [6] That the generation  to come  might know  them, even the children  which should be born;  who should arise  and declare  them to their children:  [7] That they might set  their hope  in God,  and not forget  the works  of God,  but keep  his commandments:  [8] And might not be as their fathers,  a stubborn  and rebellious  generation;  not their heart  aright,  and whose spirit  was not stedfast  with God. 

What does Psalms 78:1-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Asaph appealed to his audience to listen to his instruction about God"s Acts , power, and wonders. He had received these teachings from former generations and was now passing them on to the next generation, as God had commanded (cf. Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The purpose of this teaching was that the young would not forget the Lord but trust in Him and obey His Word ( Psalm 78:7). This would enable them to avoid the mistakes of their ancestors who were stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful to Yahweh. Fathers need to communicate God"s truth down through the generations.
""Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana)." [1]