The Identity of the "Adversaries" in Ps 78:66

Introduction

Psalm 78:66 reads as follows in the MT:

וַיַּךְ־צָרָ֥יו אָח֑וֹר חֶרְפַּ֥ת ע֝וֹלָ֗ם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃

"(forthcoming CBC)... And he struck his adversaries backwards; eternal shame he gave them"

The identity of his adversaries in the first line and them in the second are co-referential. It is not immediately clear, however, whether the adversaries are to be identified with the Israelites, Philistines, or the enemies of God's people in general.

Conclusion

Sensitivity to previous discourse (largely concerning the rejection of Shiloh—vv. 59-64) and conclusion of the psalm (in a minor way v. 67, but more clearly vv. 68-72). What does the verse contribute to the discourse retrospectively and prospectively?

References

78:66