Psalm 78 Text

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Simple Reading (Hebrew)
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Dramatic Reading (Hebrew)
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Text Only (Hebrew and English) The text below is divided according to the psalm's poetic lines. For additional information, see our Poetic Structure layer.

Text (Hebrew) Verse Text (CBC)
מַשְׂכִּ֗יל לְאָ֫סָ֥ף 1a A "maskil." By Asaph.
הַאֲזִינָה עַ֭מִּי תּוֹרָתִ֑י 1b Listen, my people, to my teaching;
הַטּ֥וּ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃ 1c turn your ear to the words of my mouth.
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י 2a Let me open up my mouth with a parable;
אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃ 2b let me pour out puzzling problems from long ago.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁ֭מַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵ֑ם 3a The things which we heard and which we learned
וַ֝אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָֽנוּ׃ 3b and our ancestors told us,
לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן 4a we will not hide from their children in the latest generation,
מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה 4b proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of YHWH
וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃ 4c and his power and his wonderful deeds which he has accomplished:
וַיָּ֤קֶם עֵד֨וּת ׀ בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב 5a how he established a testimony among Jacob
וְתוֹרָה֮ שָׂ֤ם בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל 5b and set up a teaching among Israel,
אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִ֭וָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ 5c which he commanded our ancestors
לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 5d to teach them to their children,
לְמַ֤עַן יֵדְע֨וּ ׀ דּ֣וֹר אַ֭חֲרוֹן 6a so that the latest generation might know
בָּנִ֣ים יִוָּלֵ֑דוּ 6b —children who were yet to be born—
יָ֝קֻ֗מוּ וִֽיסַפְּרוּ לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 6c [that] they might begin to tell their children
וְיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים כִּ֫סְלָ֥ם 7a and they might put their trust in God,
וְלֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵ֑ל 7b [so that] they might not forget God's deeds
וּמִצְוֺתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ 7c but might obey his commands
וְלֹ֤א יִהְי֨וּ ׀ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם 8a and might not be like their ancestors,
דּוֹר֮ סוֹרֵ֪ר וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה 8b a stubborn and rebellious generation,
דּ֭וֹר לֹא־הֵכִ֣ין לִבּ֑וֹ 8c a generation who was not committed in their heart
וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה אֶת־אֵ֣ל רוּחֽוֹ׃ 8d and whose mind was not faithful to God.
בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת 9a Ephraimites, armed [with a bow], archers,
הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃ 9b turned back on a day of battle.
לֹ֣א שָׁ֭מְרוּ בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים 10a They did not keep the covenant of God
וּ֝בְתוֹרָת֗וֹ מֵאֲנ֥וּ לָלֶֽכֶת׃ 10b and they refused to walk in his teaching,
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו 11a in that they forgot his deeds
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃ 11b and [they forgot] his wonders which he had shown them.
נֶ֣גֶד אֲ֭בוֹתָם עָ֣שָׂה פֶ֑לֶא 12a Before their ancestors he performed miracles
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מִצְרַ֣יִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ 12b in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.
בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם וַיַּֽעֲבִירֵ֑ם 13a He divided the sea and brought them through;
וַֽיַּצֶּב־מַ֥יִם כְּמוֹ־נֵֽד׃ 13b he made the waters stand like a heap.
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם בֶּעָנָ֣ן יוֹמָ֑ם 14a He led them by cloud during the day
וְכָל־הַ֝לַּ֗יְלָה בְּא֣וֹר אֵֽשׁ׃  14b and [he led them] all night by fire light.
יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר 15a He would split rocks in the wilderness
וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה׃  15b and provide drinking water abundantly, as from oceans.
וַיּוֹצִ֣א נוֹזְלִ֣ים מִסָּ֑לַע 16a He would bring streams out from rock
וַיּוֹרֶד כַּנְּהָר֣וֹת מָֽיִם׃  16b and make water flow down like rivers.
וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ ע֭וֹד לַחֲטֹא־ל֑וֹ 17a But again they sinned against him;
לַֽמְר֥וֹת עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן בַּצִּיָּֽה׃  17b again they rebelled against the Most High in the desert.
וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵ֥ל בִּלְבָבָ֑ם 18a They put God to the test in their thoughts,
לִשְׁאָל־אֹ֥כֶל לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃  18b by asking for food for their throat.
וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים 19a They spoke against God
אָ֭מְרוּ | הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל  19b saying: "Is God able
לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃  19c to prepare a table in the wilderness?
הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀ וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮ 20a Since he struck a rock so that waters gushed out
וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ  20b and streams began to flow,
הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם יוּכַל תֵּ֑ת  20c is he able to give bread, too?
אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃  20d Or can he provide meat for his people?"
לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר 21a Therefore, when YHWH heard he became furious;
וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב  21b fire flared up against Jacob
וְגַם־אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃  21c and also anger rose against Israel,
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א הֶ֭אֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִ֑ים 22a because they had not believed in God
וְלֹ֥א בָ֝טְח֗וּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃  22b and they had not trusted in his provision.
וַיְצַ֣ו שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל 23a So he ordered clouds from above
וְדַלְתֵ֖י שָׁמַ֣יִם פָּתָֽח׃ 23b and opened heavenly doors;
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מָ֣ן לֶאֱכֹ֑ל 24a he rained down upon them manna to eat
וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ 24b and he gave them grain from heaven.
לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים אָ֣כַל אִ֑ישׁ 25a People ate bread of angels;
צֵידָ֬ה שָׁלַ֖ח לָהֶ֣ם לָשֹֽׂבַע׃ 25b he sent them provisions until they were satisfied.
יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם 26a He caused an east wind to blow in the sky
וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃ 26b and he drove a south wind with his might.
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּעָפָ֣ר שְׁאֵ֑ר 27a So he made meat rain upon them as dust
וּֽכְח֥וֹל יַ֝מִּ֗ים ע֣וֹף כָּנָֽף׃ 27b and [he made] winged birds [rain upon them] as the sand on the seashore,
וַ֭יַּפֵּל בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ 28a and he made them fall inside his camp,
סָ֝בִ֗יב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃ 28b all around his tents.
וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד 29a So they ate and were completely satisfied;
וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם יָבִ֥א לָהֶֽם׃ 29b when he brought them what they craved.
לֹא־זָר֥וּ מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם 30a They had not turned away from the object of their craving
ע֝֗וֹד אָכְלָ֥ם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ 30b —their food was still in their mouth—
וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם 31a when the anger of God rose against them
וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם 31b and he killed some of their strong men
וּבַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ׃ 31c and he struck down young men of Israel.
בְּכָל־זֹ֭את חָֽטְאוּ־ע֑וֹד 32a In spite of this, they sinned again
וְלֹֽא־הֶ֝אֱמִ֗ינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃ 32b and did not trust in his wonderful deeds,
וַיְכַל־בַּהֶ֥בֶל יְמֵיהֶ֑ם 33a so he made them spend their days in vain
וּ֝שְׁנוֹתָ֗ם בַּבֶּהָלָֽה׃ 33b and [he made them spend] their years in anguish.
אִם־הֲרָגָ֥ם וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ 34a Whenever he killed them, then they would seek him
וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־אֵֽל׃ 34b and again look for God.
וַֽ֭יִּזְכְּרוּ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים צוּרָ֑ם 35a They would remember that God was their rock
וְאֵ֥ל עֶ֝לְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָֽם׃ 35b and [that] God, the Most High, was their redeemer.
וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם 36a But they were trying to deceive him with their mouth
וּ֝בִלְשׁוֹנָ֗ם יְכַזְּבוּ־לֽוֹ׃ 36b and with their tongue were lying to him.
וְ֭לִבָּם לֹא־נָכ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ 37a Their heart was not committed to him
וְלֹ֥א נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ 37b and they were not faithful to his covenant.
וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ 38a But he is compassionate.
יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית 38b He forgives iniquity and does not destroy.
וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 38c He repeatedly turned back his anger.
וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ 38d And he would not stir up all his wrath.
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה 39a He remembered that they were flesh,
ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃ 39b a breeze that goes by and will not return.

Structure Overlay Below, the text has been overlaid with our summary structural analysis. For details on the structure, see the Structure At-a-Glance here.

Text (Hebrew) Verse Text (CBC)
מַשְׂכִּ֗יל לְאָ֫סָ֥ף 1a A "maskil." By Asaph.
הַאֲזִינָה עַ֭מִּי תּוֹרָתִ֑י 1b Listen, my people, to my teaching;
הַטּ֥וּ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃ 1c turn your ear to the words of my mouth.
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י 2a Let me open up my mouth with a parable;
אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃ 2b let me pour out puzzling problems from long ago.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁ֭מַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵ֑ם 3a The things which we heard and which we learned
וַ֝אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָֽנוּ׃ 3b and our ancestors told us,
לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן 4a we will not hide from their children in the latest generation,
מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה 4b proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of YHWH
וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃ 4c and his power and his wonderful deeds which he has accomplished:
וַיָּ֤קֶם עֵד֨וּת ׀ בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב 5a how he established a testimony among Jacob
וְתוֹרָה֮ שָׂ֤ם בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל 5b and set up a teaching among Israel,
אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִ֭וָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ 5c which he commanded our ancestors
לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 5d to teach them to their children,
לְמַ֤עַן יֵדְע֨וּ ׀ דּ֣וֹר אַ֭חֲרוֹן 6a so that the latest generation might know
בָּנִ֣ים יִוָּלֵ֑דוּ 6b —children who were yet to be born—
יָ֝קֻ֗מוּ וִֽיסַפְּרוּ לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 6c [that] they might begin to tell their children
וְיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים כִּ֫סְלָ֥ם 7a and they might put their trust in God,
וְלֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵ֑ל 7b [so that] they might not forget God's deeds
וּמִצְוֺתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ 7c but might obey his commands
וְלֹ֤א יִהְי֨וּ ׀ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם 8a and might not be like their ancestors,
דּוֹר֮ סוֹרֵ֪ר וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה 8b a stubborn and rebellious generation,
דּ֭וֹר לֹא־הֵכִ֣ין לִבּ֑וֹ 8c a generation who was not committed in their heart
וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה אֶת־אֵ֣ל רוּחֽוֹ׃ 8d and whose mind was not faithful to God.
בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת 9a Ephraimites, armed [with a bow], archers,
הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃ 9b turned back on a day of battle.
לֹ֣א שָׁ֭מְרוּ בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים 10a They did not keep the covenant of God
וּ֝בְתוֹרָת֗וֹ מֵאֲנ֥וּ לָלֶֽכֶת׃ 10b and they refused to walk in his teaching,
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו 11a in that they forgot his deeds
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃ 11b and [they forgot] his wonders which he had shown them.
נֶ֣גֶד אֲ֭בוֹתָם עָ֣שָׂה פֶ֑לֶא 12a Before their ancestors he performed miracles
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מִצְרַ֣יִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ 12b in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.
בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם וַיַּֽעֲבִירֵ֑ם 13a He divided the sea and brought them through;
וַֽיַּצֶּב־מַ֥יִם כְּמוֹ־נֵֽד׃ 13b he made the waters stand like a heap.
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם בֶּעָנָ֣ן יוֹמָ֑ם 14a He led them by cloud during the day
וְכָל־הַ֝לַּ֗יְלָה בְּא֣וֹר אֵֽשׁ׃  14b and [he led them] all night by fire light.
יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר 15a He would split rocks in the wilderness
וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה׃  15b and provide drinking water abundantly, as from oceans.
וַיּוֹצִ֣א נוֹזְלִ֣ים מִסָּ֑לַע 16a He would bring streams out from rock
וַיּוֹרֶד כַּנְּהָר֣וֹת מָֽיִם׃  16b and make water flow down like rivers.
וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ ע֭וֹד לַחֲטֹא־ל֑וֹ 17a But again they sinned against him;
לַֽמְר֥וֹת עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן בַּצִּיָּֽה׃  17b again they rebelled against the Most High in the desert.
וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵ֥ל בִּלְבָבָ֑ם 18a They put God to the test in their thoughts,
לִשְׁאָל־אֹ֥כֶל לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃  18b by asking for food for their throat.
וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים 19a They spoke against God
אָ֭מְרוּ | הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל  19b saying: "Is God able
לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃  19c to prepare a table in the wilderness?
הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀ וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮ 20a Since he struck a rock so that waters gushed out
וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ  20b and streams began to flow,
הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם יוּכַל תֵּ֑ת  20c is he able to give bread, too?
אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃  20d Or can he provide meat for his people?"
לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר 21a Therefore, when YHWH heard he became furious;
וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב  21b fire flared up against Jacob
וְגַם־אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃  21c and also anger rose against Israel,
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א הֶ֭אֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִ֑ים 22a because they had not believed in God
וְלֹ֥א בָ֝טְח֗וּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃  22b and they had not trusted in his provision.
וַיְצַ֣ו שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל 23a So he ordered clouds from above
וְדַלְתֵ֖י שָׁמַ֣יִם פָּתָֽח׃ 23b and opened heavenly doors;
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מָ֣ן לֶאֱכֹ֑ל 24a he rained down upon them manna to eat
וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ 24b and he gave them grain from heaven.
לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים אָ֣כַל אִ֑ישׁ 25a People ate bread of angels;
צֵידָ֬ה שָׁלַ֖ח לָהֶ֣ם לָשֹֽׂבַע׃ 25b he sent them provisions until they were satisfied.
יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם 26a He caused an east wind to blow in the sky
וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃ 26b and he drove a south wind with his might.
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּעָפָ֣ר שְׁאֵ֑ר 27a So he made meat rain upon them as dust
וּֽכְח֥וֹל יַ֝מִּ֗ים ע֣וֹף כָּנָֽף׃ 27b and [he made] winged birds [rain upon them] as the sand on the seashore,
וַ֭יַּפֵּל בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ 28a and he made them fall inside his camp,
סָ֝בִ֗יב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃ 28b all around his tents.
וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד 29a So they ate and were completely satisfied;
וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם יָבִ֥א לָהֶֽם׃ 29b when he brought them what they craved.
לֹא־זָר֥וּ מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם 30a They had not turned away from the object of their craving
ע֝֗וֹד אָכְלָ֥ם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ 30b —their food was still in their mouth—
וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם 31a when the anger of God rose against them
וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם 31b and he killed some of their strong men
וּבַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ׃ 31c and he struck down young men of Israel.
בְּכָל־זֹ֭את חָֽטְאוּ־ע֑וֹד 32a In spite of this, they sinned again
וְלֹֽא־הֶ֝אֱמִ֗ינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃ 32b and did not trust in his wonderful deeds,
וַיְכַל־בַּהֶ֥בֶל יְמֵיהֶ֑ם 33a so he made them spend their days in vain
וּ֝שְׁנוֹתָ֗ם בַּבֶּהָלָֽה׃ 33b and [he made them spend] their years in anguish.
אִם־הֲרָגָ֥ם וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ 34a Whenever he killed them, then they would seek him
וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־אֵֽל׃ 34b and again look for God.
וַֽ֭יִּזְכְּרוּ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים צוּרָ֑ם 35a They would remember that God was their rock
וְאֵ֥ל עֶ֝לְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָֽם׃ 35b and [that] God, the Most High, was their redeemer.
וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם 36a But they were trying to deceive him with their mouth
וּ֝בִלְשׁוֹנָ֗ם יְכַזְּבוּ־לֽוֹ׃ 36b and with their tongue were lying to him.
וְ֭לִבָּם לֹא־נָכ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ 37a Their heart was not committed to him
וְלֹ֥א נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ 37b and they were not faithful to his covenant.
וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ 38a But he is compassionate.
יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית 38b He forgives iniquity and does not destroy.
וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 38c He repeatedly turned back his anger.
וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ 38d And he would not stir up all his wrath.
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה 39a He remembered that they were flesh,
ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃ 39b a breeze that goes by and will not return.

Expanded paraphrase The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.

Text (Hebrew) Verse Expanded Paraphrase
מַשְׂכִּיל לְאָסָף הַאֲזִינָה עַמִּי תּוֹרָתִי הַטּוּ אָזְנְכֶם לְאִמְרֵי־פִי׃ 1 A maskil. By Asaph the Levitical singer and head of the family of Levitical musicians, whom David appointed to minister before the Ark of the Covenant in the tent he had established for worship in Zion (1 Chr 16). Listen, my people, to my teaching, as if it was coming from YHWH himself; turn your ear to the words of my mouth.
אֶפְתְּחָה בְמָשָׁל פִּי אַבִּיעָה חִידוֹת מִנִּי־קֶדֶם׃ 2 Let me open up my mouth with a parable about how God chose David as our king, which requires wisdom to understand. Listen carefully, because you will need to pay attention until the end to understand it. Let me pour out puzzling problems of the seeming endless cycle of God's patience and covenant faithfulness towards our ancestors, even though they, in their continual unfaithfulness and rebellion, did not deserve it. They are problems from long ago, which our ancestors did not figure out for generations but were commanded to pass on to us.
אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵם וַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָנוּ׃ 3 The things which we heard, and which we learned and our ancestors told us —you and I both know them,
לֹא נְכַחֵד מִבְּנֵיהֶם לְדוֹר אַחֲרוֹן מְסַפְּרִים תְּהִלּוֹת יְהוָה וֶעֱזוּזוֹ וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה׃ 4 we will not hide from their children in the latest generation, that is, the present generation, proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of YHWH and his power and his wonderful deeds which he has accomplished:
וַיָּקֶם עֵדוּת בְּיַעֲקֹב וְתוֹרָה שָׂם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵינוּ לְהוֹדִיעָם לִבְנֵיהֶם׃ 5 Let me offer some background on how he established a testimony among Jacob and set up a teaching among Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children,
לְמַעַן יֵדְעוּ דּוֹר אַחֲרוֹן בָּנִים יִוָּלֵדוּ יָקֻמוּ וִיסַפְּרוּ לִבְנֵיהֶם׃ 6 so that the latest —that is, the present— generation might know —children who were yet to be born — [that] they might begin to tell their children
וְיָשִׂימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִים כִּסְלָם וְלֹא יִשְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵל וּמִצְוֺתָיו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ 7 and they might put their trust in God, [so that] they might not forget God's deeds but might obey his commands
וְלֹא יִהְיוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָם דּוֹר סוֹרֵר וּמֹרֶה דּוֹר לֹא־הֵכִין לִבּוֹ וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָה אֶת־אֵל רוּחֽוֹ׃ 8 and might not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation who did not keep their heart committed and whose mind was not faithful to God, in that their will and intentions were not aligned to YHWH's will and intentions.
בְּנֵי־אֶפְרַיִם נוֹשְׁקֵי רוֹמֵי־קָשֶׁת הָפְכוּ בְּיוֹם קְרָב׃ 9 The same ancestors who were unfaithful were charged with passing on these historical lessons. It all came to a head when Ephraimites, armed [with a bow], archers with a reputation for fierceness in war, actually turned back on a day of battle. But how did they get to that point?
לֹא שָׁמְרוּ בְּרִית אֱלֹהִים וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ מֵאֲנוּ לָלֶכֶת׃ 10 Their defeat was not on account of a superior opponent, but because they did not keep the covenant of God and covenantal unfaithfulness results in military defeat. They refused to walk in and live by his teaching, which expresses YHWH's covenant expectations and stipulations,
וַיִּשְׁכְּחוּ עֲלִילוֹתָיו וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר הֶרְאָם׃ 11 in that they forgot his deeds and [they forgot] his wonders which he had shown them for centuries.
נֶגֶד אֲבוֹתָם עָשָׂה פֶלֶא בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ 12 In front of their ancestors and ours he performed miracles in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan where they were building store cities as slaves.
בָּקַע יָם וַיַּעֲבִירֵם וַיַּצֶּב־מַיִם כְּמוֹ־נֵד׃ 13 And after all his miracles in Egypt, he divided the sea and brought them through; he made the waters stand like a heap, making their crossing secure and without risk.
וַיַּנְחֵם בֶּעָנָן יוֹמָם וְכָל־הַלַּיְלָה בְּאוֹר אֵֽשׁ׃ 14 He led them by cloud during the day and [he led them ] all night by fire light.
יְבַקַּע צֻרִים בַּמִּדְבָּר וַיַּשְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמוֹת רַבָּֽה׃ 15 He would split rocks in the wilderness of all places and provide drinking water abundantly, as from oceans.
וַיּוֹצִא נוֹזְלִים מִסָּלַע וַיּוֹרֶד כַּנְּהָרוֹת מָֽיִם׃ 16 He would bring streams out from rock and make water flow down like rivers.
וַיּוֹסִיפוּ עוֹד לַחֲטֹא־לוֹ לַמְרוֹת עֶלְיוֹן בַּצִּיָּה׃ 17 But again, even in those times, just as the Ephraimites would continue to do, they sinned against him; again they rebelled against the Most High in the desert.
וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵל בִּלְבָבָם לִשְׁאָל־אֹכֶל לְנַפְשָׁם׃ 18 They put God to the test in their heart, by asking for food for their throat.
וַיְדַבְּרוּ בֵּֽאלֹהִים אָמְרוּ הֲיוּכַל אֵל לַעֲרֹךְ שֻׁלְחָן בַּמִּדְבָּר׃ 19 They spoke against God, saying: "Is God not able to prepare a table in the wilderness, a substantial meal with us as his guests?
הֵן הִכָּה־צוּר וַיָּזוּבוּ מַיִם וּנְחָלִים יִשְׁטֹפוּ הֲגַם־לֶחֶם יוּכַל תֵּת אִם־יָכִין שְׁאֵר לְעַמּוֹ׃ 20 Since he struck a rock so that waters gushed out and streams began to flow, is he not able to give bread, too? Or can he not provide meat for his people? He's the God who brought us out of Egypt; surely if we open our mouth, he will fill it? (Ps 81:11)."
לָכֵן שָׁמַע יְהוָה וַיִּתְעַבָּר וְאֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָה בְיַעֲקֹב וְגַם־אַף עָלָה בְיִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 21 Therefore, when YHWH heard he became furious that they would doubt him; fire flared up against Jacob and also anger rose against Israel,
כִּי לֹא הֶאֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִים וְלֹא בָטְחוּ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ׃ 22 because they had not believed in God and they had not trusted in his provision.
וַיְצַו שְׁחָקִים מִמָּעַל וְדַלְתֵי שָׁמַיִם פָּתָח׃ 23 So, even when he brought them what they asked for, they still did not trust him and in their lack of faith they brought his anger upon them once again again. This was when he ordered clouds from above and opened heavenly doors;
וַיַּמְטֵר עֲלֵיהֶם מָן לֶאֱכֹל וּדְגַן־שָׁמַיִם נָתַן לָמוֹ׃ 24 he rained down upon them manna to eat and he gave them grain from heaven.
לֶחֶם אַבִּירִים אָכַל אִישׁ צֵידָה שָׁלַח לָהֶם לָשֹׂבַע׃ 25 People ate bread of angels, meaning it was sent directly from heaven; he sent them provisions until they were satisfied and did not need any more.
יַסַּע קָדִים בַּשָּׁמָיִם וַיְנַהֵג בְּעֻזּוֹ תֵימָן׃ 26 He caused an east wind to blow in the sky and he drove a south wind with his might.
וַיַּמְטֵר עֲלֵיהֶם כֶּעָפָר שְׁאֵר וּכְחוֹל יַמִּים עוֹף כָּנָף׃ 27 So he made meat rain upon them, immeasurable like dust and [he made] winged birds [rain upon them] like the sand on the seashore,
וַיַּפֵּל בְּקֶרֶב מַחֲנֵהוּ סָבִיב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָיו׃ 28 and he made them fall inside his camp, all around his tents, so they did not even have to work for it or go anywhere to attain it.
וַיֹּאכְלוּ וַיִּשְׂבְּעוּ מְאֹד וְתַֽאֲוָתָם יָבִא לָהֶֽם׃ 29 So they ate and were completely satisfied when he brought them what they craved. This was all they needed, but they did not trust him to provide another meal, so they kept on eating and gorged themselves even beyond satisfaction.
לֹא־זָרוּ מִתַּאֲוָתָם עוֹד אָכְלָם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ 30 They had not turned away from trying to satisfy themselves with the object of their craving rather than being satisfied in their trust in YHWH, who provided for their needs —their food was still in their mouth, even though they were more than full —
וְאַף אֱלֹהִים עָלָה בָהֶם וַיַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶם וּבַחוּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הִכְרִיעַ׃ 31 when the anger of God rose against them and he killed some of their strong men, whose obsession with food, even when God granted it, still could not save them when they abandoned God, and he struck down young men of Israel. So that place became called "Graves of Craving" (Num 11:34).
בְּכָל־זֹאת חָטְאוּ־עוֹד וְלֹֽא־הֶאֱמִינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָיו׃ 32 In spite of this, they sinned again by treating YHWH with contempt and refusing to believe in him (Num 14:11) when the spies returned from the land with a negative report (Num 13) and did not trust in his wonderful deeds that he had already performed among them.
וַיְכַל־בַּהֶבֶל יְמֵיהֶם וּשְׁנוֹתָם בַּבֶּהָלָה׃ 33 So he made them spend their days in vain and [he made them spend] their years in anguish, wandering around the desert for a generation—one year for every day they spied out the land (Num 14:34).
אִם־הֲרָגָם וּדְרָשׁוּהוּ וְשָׁבוּ וְשִׁחֲרוּ־אֵל׃ 34 Throughout this time, when he was providing for their every need — their sandals didn't even wear out! — they would still sin. Judgment was sometimes death, and, whenever he killed them, then they would seek him and again look for God.
וַיִּזְכְּרוּ כִּי־אֱלֹהִים צוּרָם וְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָם׃ 35 They would remember that God was their rock, providing for the needs of his people, no matter their circumstances, and [that] God, the Most High, was their redeemer, who had brought them out of Egypt.
וַיְפַתּוּהוּ בְּפִיהֶם וּבִלְשׁוֹנָם יְכַזְּבוּ־לוֹ׃ 36 But their repentance was not sincere, since they were only trying to deceive him with their mouth and with their tongue were lying to him.
וְלִבָּם לֹא־נָכוֹן עִמּוֹ וְלֹא נֶאֶמְנוּ בִּבְרִיתוֹ׃ 37 Their heart was not committed to him and they were not faithful to his covenant that he had established with them in the wilderness.
וְהוּא רַחוּם יְכַפֵּר עָוֺן וְלֹא־יַשְׁחִית וְהִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ וְלֹֽא־יָעִיר כָּל־חֲמָתוֹ׃ 38 But he is compassionate. He forgives iniquity and does not destroy. Back then he repeatedly turned back his anger. And he would not stir up all his wrath.
וַיִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂר הֵמָּה רוּחַ הוֹלֵךְ וְלֹא יָשׁוּב׃ 39 He remembered that they were mortal flesh, just as ephemeral as a breeze that goes by and will not return.
כַּמָּה יַמְרוּהוּ בַמִּדְבָּר יַעֲצִיבוּהוּ בִּֽישִׁימוֹן׃ 40 Nevertheless, how often did they rebel against him in the wilderness! [How often] did they grieve him in the desert!
וַיָּשׁוּבוּ וַיְנַסּוּ אֵל וּקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל הִתְווּ׃ 41 Again they put God to the test and they provoked the Holy One of Israel
לֹא־זָכְרוּ אֶת־יָדוֹ יוֹם אֲֽשֶׁר־פָּדָם מִנִּי־צָר׃ 42 when they not only forgot his miraculous deeds in the wilderness, but also did not remember his strength as their redeemer; [they did not remember] the day in which he saved them from an adversary.
אֲשֶׁר־שָׂם בְּמִצְרַיִם אֹתוֹתָיו וּמוֹפְתָיו בִּשְׂדֵה־צֹעַן׃ 43 [They did not remember the day] in which he displayed his signs in Egypt and [displayed] his miracles in the region of Zoan showing that he had the power and willingness to faithfully lead his covenant people, but also showing he had the power and willingness to completely destroy their enemies, which could have ultimately been their end, too —
וַיַּהֲפֹךְ לְדָם יְאֹרֵיהֶם וְנֹזְלֵיהֶם בַּל־יִשְׁתָּיוּן׃ 44 how he turned their rivers into blood and they could not drink [from] their streams even though naturally they should have had water in abundance.
יְשַׁלַּח בָּהֶם עָרֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵם וּצְפַרְדֵּעַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵם׃ 45 He sent a swarm of insects among them and it devoured them; [he sent] a plague of frogs [among them] and it destroyed them.
וַיִּתֵּן לֶחָסִיל יְבוּלָם וִיגִיעָם לָאַרְבֶּה׃ 46 He gave their crops to young locusts and [he gave ] the fruit of their labor to locusts.
יַהֲרֹג בַּבָּרָד גַּפְנָם וְשִׁקְמוֹתָם בַּֽחֲנָמַל׃ 47 He killed their vines with hail and [he killed ] their sycamore trees with frost.
וַיַּסְגֵּר לַבָּרָד בְּעִירָם וּמִקְנֵיהֶם לָרְשָׁפִים׃ 48 He gave their livestock over to hail and [he gave] their herds [over] to lightning, so they had nothing left to eat, even though naturally they should have had food in abundance.
יְשַׁלַּח־בָּם חֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ עֶבְרָה וָזַעַם וְצָרָה מִשְׁלַחַת מַלְאֲכֵי רָעִים׃ 49 He sent among them the wrath of his anger: fury and indignation and trouble, by a deputation of angels bringing disaster, the Passover destroyer (Exod 12:23), as if it were YHWH himself (Exod 11:4; 12:12, 23).
יְפַלֵּס נָתִיב לְאַפּוֹ לֹא־חָשַׂךְ מִמָּוֶת נַפְשָׁם וְחַיָּתָם לַדֶּבֶר הִסְגִּיר׃ 50 He cleared a path for his anger and went for them, instead of turning back his anger as he would do with our ancestors; he did not spare their soul from death but gave their life over to plague.
וַיַּךְ כָּל־בְּכוֹר בְּמִצְרָיִם רֵאשִׁית אוֹנִים בְּאָהֳלֵי־חָם׃ 51 He killed every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of strength among the tents of Ham,
וַיַּסַּע כַּצֹּאן עַמּוֹ וַיְנַהֲגֵם כַּעֵדֶר בַּמִּדְבָּר׃ 52 but they also did not remember how he had dealt with their enemies like this in order to redeem a people for himself, such that after completely destroying the Egyptians he led out his people from Egypt like a flock and guided them in the wilderness like a herd —already incredibly numerous but at risk of being scattered.
וַיַּנְחֵם לָבֶטַח וְלֹא פָחָדוּ וְאֶת־אוֹיְבֵיהֶם כִּסָּה הַיָּם׃ 53 He led them securely out of their slavemasters' land and they were not afraid, but the sea covered their enemies when YHWH stirred up all his wrath and YHWH destroyed them.
וַיְבִיאֵם אֶל־גְּבוּל קָדְשׁוֹ הַר־ זֶה קָנְתָה יְמִינוֹ׃ 54 This is something he was unwilling to do to our ancestors. Rather, he brought them all the way through the wilderness, as we discussed above, to his holy territory, the hill-country which his right hand had acquired and prepared for his people.
וַיְגָרֶשׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶם גּוֹיִם וַיַּפִּילֵם בְּחֶבֶל נַחֲלָה וַיַּשְׁכֵּן בְּאָהֳלֵיהֶם שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 55 He drove out nations from their presence, nations who were much bigger and stronger than they were (Deut 7:1), and allotted them as an inheritance by measurement; he let the clans of Israel live in their dwelling places.
וַיְנַסּוּ וַיַּמְרוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִים עֶלְיוֹן וְעֵדוֹתָיו לֹא שָׁמָרוּ׃ 56 But even then, again they rebelliously put God, the Most High, to the test, and they did not observe his testimonies, paying attention to everything they heard YHWH had accomplished,
וַיִּסֹּגוּ וַיִּבְגְּדוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָם נֶהְפְּכוּ כְּקֶשֶׁת רְמִיָּה׃ 57 but they, too, went astray and acted unfaithfully, like their ancestors. They became like a slack bow, which is good for nothing in battle and cannot be trusted—useless, covenantally dysfunctional in their continual rebellion despite YHWH's continual patience. They had hit rock bottom and there was no coming back from this on the part of Israel's leadership, especially that of the Shiloh temple, which was situated in Ephraim and had been the place chosen for centralized worship since YHWH had given them the land (Josh 18).
וַיַּכְעִיסוּהוּ בְּבָמוֹתָם וּבִפְסִילֵיהֶם יַקְנִיאוּהוּ׃ 58 They made him angry with their high places of worship of idols all over the hill country, not respecting centralized worship, and with their carved images of false gods they made him jealous.
שָׁמַע אֱלֹהִים וַיִּתְעַבָּר וַיִּמְאַס מְאֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 59 God heard their impure and tainted worship, just as he heard their grumbling in the wilderness all those years previously, and he became furious, so that this time he completely rejected Israel's current leadership
וַיִּטֹּשׁ מִשְׁכַּן שִׁלוֹ אֹהֶל שִׁכֵּן בָּאָדָם׃ 60 and he abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh, the tent which he had set up especially to dwell among mankind.
וַיִּתֵּן לַשְּׁבִי עֻזּוֹ וְתִפְאַרְתּוֹ בְיַד־צָר׃ 61 After the battle of Aphek (1 Sam 4) he gave his strength, the Ark of the Covenant, into captivity and [he gave] his glory into the possession of an adversary. Having allowed the Ark to be taken into captivity, he also expressed that his own strength and glory were out of reach for his people, and thus, in their covenant unfaithfulness, they could expect military defeat.
וַיַּסְגֵּר לַחֶרֶב עַמּוֹ וּבְנַחֲלָתוֹ הִתְעַבָּר׃ 62 So, he gave his people over to the sword and against his inheritance he raged .
בַּחוּרָיו אָכְלָה־אֵשׁ וּבְתוּלֹתָיו לֹא הוּלָּלוּ׃ 63 Fire consumed his young men and his young women were not sung to, since they had no one to marry and no one with whom they could enjoy wedding songs.
כֹּהֲנָיו בַּחֶרֶב נָפָלוּ וְאַלְמְנֹתָיו לֹא תִבְכֶּינָה׃ 64 His priests fell by the sword and his widows could not mourn, since their enemies did not give them the opportunity.
וַיִּקַץ כְּיָשֵׁן אֲדֹנָי כְּגִבּוֹר מִתְרוֹנֵן מִיָּיִן׃ 65 Now, having been inactive throughout the defeat of Shiloh and end of Eli's priestly line, the Lord arose like one who had been asleep to carry out vengeance for his people, like a warrior shouting from [the effects of] wine,
וַיַּךְ־צָרָיו אָחוֹר חֶרְפַּת עוֹלָם נָתַן לָמוֹ׃ 66 and he struck back his adversaries, all of the Philistines and Canaanites people who would rise up against them between the time of Judges and king David's reign. He gave them eternal shame, such that they would not rise up again.
וַיִּמְאַס בְּאֹהֶל יוֹסֵף וּֽבְשֵׁבֶט אֶפְרַיִם לֹא בָחָר׃ 67 But, at the same time, he rejected the tent of Joseph and did not choose the clan of Ephraim, who had proven themselves covenantally dysfunctional and unworthy to administer either YHWH's priesthood or monarchy,
וַיִּבְחַר אֶת־שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה אֶת־הַר צִיּוֹן אֲשֶׁר אָהֵב׃ 68 but once and for all he chose the clan of Judah, Mount Zion which he loves"more than all the dwelling places of Jacob" (Ps 87:2),
וַיִּבֶן כְּמוֹ־רָמִים מִקְדָּשׁוֹ כְּאֶרֶץ יְסָדָהּ לְעוֹלָם׃ 69 and, Zion being where his earthly king would rule, he built his holy place like heaven, like the earth which he has established forever and will not be shaken, such that, unlike abandoned Shiloh, its continued existence is a sign of YHWH's faithful promises that his chosen king's rule will not be shaken either.
וַיִּבְחַר בְּדָוִד עַבְדּוֹ וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ מִמִּכְלְאֹת צֹאן׃ 70 YHWH passed on the role of shepherding the people to his earthly king. For this role, he chose David, his servant, not an Ephraimite, and took him from working as a shepherd in a sheep pen.
מֵאַחַר עָלוֹת הֱבִיאוֹ לִרְעוֹת בְּיַעֲקֹב עַמּוֹ וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵל נַחֲלָתוֹ׃ 71 From [looking] after nursing animals he brought him to shepherd none other than Jacob, his people, and [to shepherd] Israel, who were still his inheritance despite the rejection of their previous leadership, but who were just as vulnerable and in need of protection as nursing animals, so that they would continue in covenant faithfulness.
וַיִּרְעֵם *בְּ*תֹם לְבָבוֹ וּבִתְבוּנוֹת כַּפָּיו יַנְחֵם׃ 72 He shepherded them with the integrity of his heart and with his wise actions he led them, so that they would never again become a covenantally dysfunctional slack bow.

Participant Tracking Text Participant Analysis focuses on the characters in the psalm and asks, “Who are the main participants (or characters) in this psalm, and what are they saying or doing? Our full analysis can be found in the Participant Analysis layer.

  Participant Color-Coding

There are 6 participants/characters in Psalm 78:

Asaph

David's flock
The latest generation (vv. 4, 6)
The latest generation's children (v. 6)
Israel/Jacob (vv. 71-72)

YHWH
"YHWH" (vv. 4, 21)
"God" (אֵל) (vv. 7, 8, 18, 19)
"God" (אֱלֹהִים) (vv. 7, 10, 19, 22, 31, 35, 59)
"the Most High" (עֶלְיוֹן) (v. 17)
"God, the Most High" (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן; אֱלֹהִים עֶלְיוֹן) (vv. 35, 56)
"their rock" (v. 35)
"their redeemer" (v. 35)
"the holy one of Israel" (v. 41)
"the Lord" (אֲדֹנָי) (v. 65)

The ancestors
"the ancestors" (vv. 3, 5, 8)
"Ephraimites" (v. 9)
"Israel" (v. 59)
"his [God's] people/inheritance" (v. 62)
"tent of Joseph / clan of Ephraim" (v. 67)
The ancestors' ancestors
"their ancestors" (v. 12, 57)
"his [God's] people" (vv. 20, 71)
"Jacob/Israel" (vv. 21, 71)

Egyptians
The Canaanite nations
The Philistines

David
"David" (v. 70)
"his [God's] servant" (v. 70)
Judah (v. 68)

  • The psalmist is identified as Asaph (which may refer to one of the "sons of Asaph"—see the phrase-level note—though not necessarily) begins reciting the psalm in first person singular, before joining the chorus of the community of the righteous in the latest generation.
  • David's flock is identified those who submit to his rule. At the beginning of the psalm this consists of the latest generation, both Asaph('s descendant) and his group as well as the addressee of the psalm (see the notes on accompanying the text table), who are to proclaim the teaching of the psalm, while also receiving it and passing it on to their children. At the end of the psalm, both Jacob, God's people, and Israel, God's inheritance, are marvelously identified with this group as being shepherded by David.
  • YHWH is referred to by a multitude of different divine names, as listed in the participant set, while also characterized as Israel's rock and redeemer (v. 35).
  • As is characteristic of Psalms 78–80 as a whole, the antagonists of the psalm are the community's ancestors.[1] In contrast to the mention of Judah in v. 68, the ancestors are largely referred to by generic names which encapsulate the entire nation, such as "Jacob" and "Israel," or those associated with Shiloh as a locality, such as "Ephraim" and "Joseph." Despite playing the role of antagonist, to which the latest generation should aspire not to be like, a "stubborn and rebellious generation" (v. 8), they also never cease to be YHWH's people (vv. 20, 58; see also the 3ms suffixes in vv. 28, 62-64).
  • The foreign nations play a subservient role of displaying God's miraculous acts for his people throughout their history—primarily in Egypt throughout the Exodus event (vv. 42-53), but also in the conquest of Canaan (v. 54) and the defeat of the Philistines (v. 66). In the latter instance, the vessel of punishment for his people (vv. 60-64) in turn receive their own justice (vv. 65-66).
  • Following the rejection of Joseph/Ephraim (v. 67) as the center of covenant administration, and the choice of Judah and Zion (v. 68), David is further chosen as the shepherd who will lead the renewed community (vv. 70-72).
Hebrew Verse English
מַשְׂכִּ֗יל לְאָ֫סָ֥ף 1a A maskil. By Asaph.
הַאֲזִ֣ינָה עַ֭מִּי תּוֹרָתִ֑י 1b Listen, my people, to my teaching;
הַטּ֥וּ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם לְאִמְרֵי־פִֽי׃ 1c turn your ear to the words of my mouth.
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י 2a Let me open up my mouth with a parable;
אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃ 2b let me pour out puzzling problems from long ago.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁ֭מַעְנוּ וַנֵּדָעֵ֑ם 3a The things which we heard, and which we learned
וַ֝אֲבוֹתֵ֗ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָֽנוּ׃ 3b and our ancestors told us,
לֹ֤א נְכַחֵ֨ד ׀ מִבְּנֵיהֶ֗ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֲר֗וֹן 4a we will not hide from their children in the latest generation,
מְֽ֭סַפְּרִים תְּהִלּ֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה 4b proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of YHWH
וֶעֱזוּז֥וֹ וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָֽׂה׃ 4c and his power and his wonderful deeds which he has accomplished:
וַיָּ֤קֶם עֵד֨וּת ׀ בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב 5a how he established a testimony among Jacob
וְתוֹרָה֮ שָׂ֤ם בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל 5b and set up a teaching among Israel,
אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִ֭וָּה אֶת־אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ 5c which he commanded our ancestors
לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 5d to teach them to their children,
לְמַ֤עַן יֵדְע֨וּ ׀ דּ֣וֹר אַ֭חֲרוֹן 6a so that the latest generation might know
בָּנִ֣ים יִוָּלֵ֑דוּ 6b —children who were yet to be born—
יָ֝קֻ֗מוּ וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ 6c [that] they might begin to tell their children
וְיָשִׂ֥ימוּ בֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים כִּ֫סְלָ֥ם 7a and they might put their trust in God,
וְלֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁכְּחוּ מַֽעַלְלֵי־אֵ֑ל 7b [so that] they might not forget God's deeds
וּמִצְוֺתָ֥יו יִנְצֹֽרוּ׃ 7c but might obey his commands
וְלֹ֤א יִהְי֨וּ ׀ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֗ם 8a and might not be like their ancestors,
דּוֹר֮ סוֹרֵ֪ר וּמֹ֫רֶ֥ה 8b a stubborn and rebellious generation,
דּ֭וֹר לֹא־הֵכִ֣ין לִבּ֑וֹ 8c a generation who did not keep their heart committed
וְלֹא־נֶאֶמְנָ֖ה אֶת־אֵ֣ל רוּחֽוֹ׃ 8d and whose mind was not faithful to God.
בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת 9a Ephraimites, armed [with a bow], archers,
הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃ 9b turned back on a day of battle.
לֹ֣א שָׁ֭מְרוּ בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים 10a They did not keep the covenant of God
וּ֝בְתוֹרָת֗וֹ מֵאֲנ֥וּ לָלֶֽכֶת׃ 10b and they refused to walk in his teaching,
וַיִּשְׁכְּח֥וּ עֲלִילוֹתָ֑יו 11a in that they forgot his deeds
וְ֝נִפְלְאוֹתָ֗יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶרְאָֽם׃ 11b and [they forgot] his wonders which he had shown them.
נֶ֣גֶד אֲ֭בוֹתָם עָ֣שָׂה פֶ֑לֶא 12a In front of their ancestors he performed miracles
בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מִצְרַ֣יִם שְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ 12b in the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.
בָּ֣קַע יָ֭ם וַיַּֽעֲבִירֵ֑ם 13a He divided the sea and brought them through;
וַֽיַּצֶּב־מַ֥יִם כְּמוֹ־נֵֽד׃ 13b he made the waters stand like a heap.
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם בֶּעָנָ֣ן יוֹמָ֑ם 14a He led them by cloud during the day
וְכָל־הַ֝לַּ֗יְלָה בְּא֣וֹר אֵֽשׁ׃ 14b and [he led them] all night by fire light.
יְבַקַּ֣ע צֻ֭רִים בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר 15a He would split rocks in the wilderness
וַ֝יַּ֗שְׁקְ כִּתְהֹמ֥וֹת רַבָּֽה׃ 15b and provide drinking water abundantly, as from oceans.
וַיּוֹצִ֣א נוֹזְלִ֣ים מִסָּ֑לַע 16a He would bring streams out from rock
וַיּ֖וֹרֶד כַּנְּהָר֣וֹת מָֽיִם׃ 16b and make water flow down like rivers.
וַיּוֹסִ֣יפוּ ע֭וֹד לַחֲטֹא־ל֑וֹ 17a But again they sinned against him;
לַֽמְר֥וֹת עֶ֝לְי֗וֹן בַּצִּיָּֽה׃ 17b again they rebelled against the Most High in the desert.
וַיְנַסּוּ־אֵ֥ל בִּלְבָבָ֑ם 18a They put God to the test in their heart,
לִֽשְׁאָל־אֹ֥כֶל לְנַפְשָֽׁם׃ 18b by asking for food for their throat.
וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים 19a They spoke against God
אָ֭מְרוּ הֲי֣וּכַל אֵ֑ל 19b saying: "Is God not able
לַעֲרֹ֥ךְ שֻׁ֝לְחָ֗ן בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ 19c to prepare a table in the wilderness?
הֵ֤ן הִכָּה־צ֨וּר ׀ וַיָּז֣וּבוּ מַיִם֮ 20a Since he struck a rock so that waters gushed out
וּנְחָלִ֪ים יִ֫שְׁטֹ֥פוּ 20b and streams began to flow,
הֲגַם־לֶ֭חֶם י֣וּכַל תֵּ֑ת 20c is he not able to give bread, too?
אִם־יָכִ֖ין שְׁאֵ֣ר לְעַמּֽוֹ׃ 20d Or can he not provide meat for his people?"
לָכֵ֤ן ׀ שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֗ה וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר 21a Therefore, when YHWH heard he became furious;
וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב 21b fire flared up against Jacob
וְגַם־אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 21c and also anger rose against Israel,
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א הֶ֭אֱמִינוּ בֵּאלֹהִ֑ים 22a because they had not believed in God
וְלֹ֥א בָ֝טְח֗וּ בִּֽישׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃ 22b and they had not trusted in his provision.
וַיְצַ֣ו שְׁחָקִ֣ים מִמָּ֑עַל 23a So he ordered clouds from above
וְדַלְתֵ֖י שָׁמַ֣יִם פָּתָֽח׃ 23b and opened heavenly doors;
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם מָ֣ן לֶאֱכֹ֑ל 24a he rained down upon them manna to eat
וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ 24b and he gave them grain from heaven.
לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים אָ֣כַל אִ֑ישׁ 25a People ate bread of angels;
צֵידָ֬ה שָׁלַ֖ח לָהֶ֣ם לָשֹֽׂבַע׃ 25b he sent them provisions until they were satisfied.
יַסַּ֣ע קָ֭דִים בַּשָּׁמָ֑יִם 26a He caused an east wind to blow in the sky
וַיְנַהֵ֖ג בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ תֵימָֽן׃ 26b and he drove a south wind with his might.
וַיַּמְטֵ֬ר עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם כֶּעָפָ֣ר שְׁאֵ֑ר 27a So he made meat rain upon them like dust
וּֽכְח֥וֹל יַ֝מִּ֗ים ע֣וֹף כָּנָֽף׃ 27b and [he made] winged birds [rain upon them] like the sand on the seashore,
וַ֭יַּפֵּל בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֵ֑הוּ 28a and he made them fall inside his camp,
סָ֝בִ֗יב לְמִשְׁכְּנֹתָֽיו׃ 28b all around his tents.
וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׂבְּע֣וּ מְאֹ֑ד 29a So they ate and were completely satisfied
וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם יָבִ֥א לָהֶֽם׃ 29b when he brought them what they craved.
לֹא־זָר֥וּ מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם 30a They had not turned away from the object of their craving
ע֝֗וֹד אָכְלָ֥ם בְּפִיהֶֽם׃ 30b —their food was still in their mouth—
וְאַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ עָ֘לָ֤ה בָהֶ֗ם 31a when the anger of God rose against them
וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם 31b and he killed some of their strong men
וּבַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ׃ 31c and he struck down young men of Israel.
בְּכָל־זֹ֭את חָֽטְאוּ־ע֑וֹד 32a In spite of this, they sinned again
וְלֹֽא־הֶ֝אֱמִ֗ינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃ 32b and did not trust in his wonderful deeds,
וַיְכַל־בַּהֶ֥בֶל יְמֵיהֶ֑ם 33a so he made them spend their days in vain
וּ֝שְׁנוֹתָ֗ם בַּבֶּהָלָֽה׃ 33b and [he made them spend] their years in anguish.
אִם־הֲרָגָ֥ם וּדְרָשׁ֑וּהוּ 34a Whenever he killed them, then they would seek him
וְ֝שָׁ֗בוּ וְשִֽׁחֲרוּ־אֵֽל׃ 34b and again look for God.
וַֽ֭יִּזְכְּרוּ כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֣ים צוּרָ֑ם 35a They would remember that God was their rock
וְאֵ֥ל עֶ֝לְיוֹן גֹּאֲלָֽם׃ 35b and [that] God, the Most High, was their redeemer.
וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם 36a But they were trying to deceive him with their mouth
וּ֝בִלְשׁוֹנָ֗ם יְכַזְּבוּ־לֽוֹ׃ 36b and with their tongue were lying to him.
וְ֭לִבָּם לֹא־נָכ֣וֹן עִמּ֑וֹ 37a Their heart was not committed to him
וְלֹ֥א נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ 37b and they were not faithful to his covenant.
וְה֤וּא רַח֨וּם ׀ 38a But he is compassionate.
יְכַפֵּ֥ר עָוֺן֮ וְֽלֹא־יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית 38b He forgives iniquity and does not destroy.
וְ֭הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ 38c He repeatedly turned back his anger.
וְלֹֽא־יָ֝עִיר כָּל־חֲמָתֽוֹ׃ 38d And he would not stir up all his wrath.
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה 39a He remembered that they were flesh,
ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃ 39b a breeze that goes by and will not return.
כַּ֭מָּה יַמְר֣וּהוּ בַמִּדְבָּ֑ר 40a How often did they rebel against him in the wilderness!
יַ֝עֲצִיב֗וּהוּ בִּֽישִׁימֽוֹן׃ 40b [How often] did they grieve him in the desert!
וַיָּשׁ֣וּבוּ וַיְנַסּ֣וּ אֵ֑ל 41a Again they put God to the test
וּקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִתְווּ׃ 41b and they provoked the Holy One of Israel.
לֹא־זָכְר֥וּ אֶת־יָד֑וֹ 42a They did not remember his strength;
י֝֗וֹם אֲֽשֶׁר־פָּדָ֥ם מִנִּי־צָֽר׃ 42b [they did not remember] the day in which he saved them from an adversary.
אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם בְּ֭מִצְרַיִם אֹֽתוֹתָ֑יו 43a [They did not remember the day] in which he displayed his signs in Egypt
וּ֝מוֹפְתָ֗יו בִּשְׂדֵה־צֹֽעַן׃ 43b and [displayed] his miracles in the region of Zoan—
וַיַּהֲפֹ֣ךְ לְ֭דָם יְאֹרֵיהֶ֑ם 44a how he turned their rivers into blood
וְ֝נֹזְלֵיהֶ֗ם בַּל־יִשְׁתָּיֽוּן׃ 44b and they could not drink [from] their streams.
יְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם 45a He sent a swarm of insects among them and it devoured them;
וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ וַתַּשְׁחִיתֵֽם׃ 45b [he sent] a plague of frogs [among them] and it destroyed them.
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לֶחָסִ֣יל יְבוּלָ֑ם 46a He gave their crops to young locusts
וִֽ֝יגִיעָ֗ם לָאַרְבֶּֽה׃ 46b and [he gave] the fruit of their labor to locusts.
יַהֲרֹ֣ג בַּבָּרָ֣ד גַּפְנָ֑ם 47a He killed their vines with hail
וְ֝שִׁקְמוֹתָ֗ם בַּֽחֲנָמַֽל׃ 47b and [he killed] their sycamore trees with frost.
וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַבָּרָ֣ד בְּעִירָ֑ם 48a He gave their livestock over to hail
וּ֝מִקְנֵיהֶ֗ם לָרְשָׁפִֽים׃ 48b and [he gave] their herds [over] to lightning.
יְשַׁלַּח־בָּ֨ם ׀ חֲר֬וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ 49a He sent among them the wrath of his anger:
עֶבְרָ֣ה וָזַ֣עַם וְצָרָ֑ה 49b fury and indignation and trouble,
מִ֝שְׁלַ֗חַת מַלְאֲכֵ֥י רָעִֽים׃ 49c by a deputation of angels bringing disaster.
יְפַלֵּ֥ס נָתִ֗יב לְאַ֫פּ֥וֹ 50a He cleared a path for his anger;
לֹא־חָשַׂ֣ךְ מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם 50b he did not spare their soul from death
וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם לַדֶּ֥בֶר הִסְגִּֽיר׃ 50c but gave their life over to plague.
וַיַּ֣ךְ כָּל־בְּכ֣וֹר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם 51a He killed every firstborn in Egypt,
רֵאשִׁ֥ית א֝וֹנִ֗ים בְּאָהֳלֵי־חָֽם׃ 51b the firstfruits of strength among the tents of Ham,
וַיַּסַּ֣ע כַּצֹּ֣אן עַמּ֑וֹ 52a but he led out his people like a flock
וַֽיְנַהֲגֵ֥ם כַּ֝עֵ֗דֶר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃ 52b and guided them in the wilderness like a herd.
וַיַּנְחֵ֣ם לָ֭בֶטַח וְלֹ֣א פָחָ֑דוּ 53a He led them securely and they were not afraid,
וְאֶת־א֝וֹיְבֵיהֶ֗ם כִּסָּ֥ה הַיָּֽם׃ 53b but the sea covered their enemies.
וַ֭יְבִיאֵם אֶל־גְּב֣וּל קָדְשׁ֑וֹ 54a He brought them to his holy territory,
הַר־זֶ֝֗ה קָנְתָ֥ה יְמִינֽוֹ׃ 54b the hill-country which his right hand had acquired.
וַיְגָ֤רֶשׁ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֨ם ׀ גּוֹיִ֗ם 55a He drove out nations from their presence
וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם בְּחֶ֣בֶל נַחֲלָ֑ה 55b and allotted them as an inheritance by measurement;
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ן בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 55c he let the clans of Israel live in their dwelling places.
וַיְנַסּ֣וּ וַ֭יַּמְרוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהִ֣ים עֶלְי֑וֹן 56a But they rebelliously put God, the Most High, to the test,
וְ֝עֵדוֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃ 56b and they did not observe his testimonies,
וַיִּסֹּ֣גוּ וַֽ֭יִּבְגְּדוּ כַּאֲבוֹתָ֑ם 57a but they went astray and acted unfaithfully, like their ancestors.
נֶ֝הְפְּכ֗וּ כְּקֶ֣שֶׁת רְמִיָּֽה׃ 57b They became like a slack bow.
וַיַּכְעִיס֥וּהוּ בְּבָמוֹתָ֑ם 58a They made him angry with their high places of worship
וּ֝בִפְסִילֵיהֶ֗ם יַקְנִיאֽוּהוּ׃ 58b and with their carved images made him jealous.
שָׁמַ֣ע אֱ֭לֹהִים וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֑ר 59a God heard and he became furious,
וַיִּמְאַ֥ס מְ֝אֹ֗ד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 59b so that he completely rejected Israel
וַ֭יִּטֹּשׁ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן שִׁל֑וֹ 60a and he abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh,
אֹ֝֗הֶל שִׁכֵּ֥ן בָּאָדָֽם׃ 60b the tent which he had set up among mankind.
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן לַשְּׁבִ֣י עֻזּ֑וֹ 61a He gave his strength into captivity
וְֽתִפְאַרְתּ֥וֹ בְיַד־צָֽר׃ 61b and [he gave] his glory into the possession of an adversary.
וַיַּסְגֵּ֣ר לַחֶ֣רֶב עַמּ֑וֹ 62a He gave his people over to the sword
וּ֝בְנַחֲלָת֗וֹ הִתְעַבָּֽר׃ 62b and against his inheritance he raged.
בַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־אֵ֑שׁ 63a Fire consumed his young men
וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃ 63b and his young women were not sung to.
כֹּ֭הֲנָיו בַּחֶ֣רֶב נָפָ֑לוּ 64a His priests fell by the sword
וְ֝אַלְמְנֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִבְכֶּֽינָה׃ 64b and his widows could not mourn.
וַיִּקַ֖ץ כְּיָשֵׁ֥ן ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י 65a Now the Lord arose like one who had been asleep,
כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר מִתְרוֹנֵ֥ן מִיָּֽיִן׃ 65b like a warrior shouting from [the effects of] wine,
וַיַּךְ־צָרָ֥יו אָח֑וֹר 66a and he struck back his adversaries.
חֶרְפַּ֥ת ע֝וֹלָ֗ם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ׃ 66b He gave them eternal shame.
וַ֭יִּמְאַס בְּאֹ֣הֶל יוֹסֵ֑ף 67a But he rejected the tent of Joseph
וּֽבְשֵׁ֥בֶט אֶ֝פְרַ֗יִם לֹ֣א בָחָֽר׃ 67b and did not choose the clan of Ephraim,
וַ֭יִּבְחַר אֶת־שֵׁ֣בֶט יְהוּדָ֑ה 68a but he chose the clan of Judah,
אֶֽת־הַ֥ר צִ֝יּ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהֵֽב׃ 68b Mount Zion which he loves,
וַיִּ֣בֶן כְּמוֹ־רָ֭מִים מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ 69a and he built his holy place like heaven,
כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ יְסָדָ֥הּ לְעוֹלָֽם׃ 69b like the earth which he has established forever.
וַ֭יִּבְחַר בְּדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֑וֹ 70a He chose David, his servant,
וַ֝יִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ מִֽמִּכְלְאֹ֥ת צֹֽאן׃ 70b and took him from a sheep pen.
מֵאַחַ֥ר עָל֗וֹת הֱ֫בִיא֥וֹ 71a From [looking] after nursing animals he brought him
לִ֭רְעוֹת בְּיַעֲקֹ֣ב עַמּ֑וֹ 71b to shepherd Jacob, his people,
וּ֝בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃ 71c and [to shepherd] Israel, his inheritance.
וַ֭יִּרְעֵם בְתֹ֣ם לְבָב֑וֹ 72a He shepherded them with the integrity of his heart
וּבִתְבוּנ֖וֹת כַּפָּ֣יו יַנְחֵֽם׃ 72b and with his wise actions he led them.


  1. ↑ See Ray 2023.