The Meaning of Psalms 78:57 Explained

Psalms 78:57

KJV: But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

YLT: And they turn back, And deal treacherously like their fathers, They have been turned like a deceitful bow,

Darby: And they drew back and dealt treacherously like their fathers: they turned like a deceitful bow.

ASV: But turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers: They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But turned back,  and dealt unfaithfully  like their fathers:  they were turned aside  like a deceitful  bow. 

What does Psalms 78:57 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 78:57 mean?

But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers they were turned aside like a bow deceitful
וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ כְּקֶ֣שֶׁת רְמִיָּֽה

וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ  But  turned  back 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: סוּג  
Sense: to move, go, turn back, move away, backslide.
וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ  and  acted  unfaithfully 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בָּגַד  
Sense: to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously.
כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם  like  their  fathers 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ  they  were  turned  aside 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: הָפַךְ  
Sense: to turn, overthrow, overturn.
כְּקֶ֣שֶׁת  like  a  bow 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: קֶשֶׁת  
Sense: bow.
רְמִיָּֽה  deceitful 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: רְמִיָּה 
Sense: laxness, slackness, slackening, deceit, treachery.