Songs of Praise: Psalm 78:1-31

Psalm 78:1-31
Read the words of the psalmist today by clicking the link above or opening up your Bible.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;

incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings from of old,

things that we have heard and known,

that our fathers have told us.

Psalm 78:1-3

The psalmist longs for his people to learn to trust God by knowing the stories of those who've gone before them. Learn from the failed lessons of unfaithfulness.

Recapping the turbulent history of God with His chosen people, he wants his readers to see and trust God. To not take Him lightly. Not grumble against Him. But know He means what He says and He says what He means. These lessons are for us, too. When we become Believers we become sons and daughters of Abraham. The history of the Israelites is our history, too.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction,

that through endurance and through the encouragement of Scriptures

we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 ESV

Many Believers have not embraced the Old Testament or read it as enthusiastically as they do the New Testament. But as the psalmist said, "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known..." The Old Testament is packed full of things we've heard, stories we know, but have you ever dug into them as parables? 

The stories of Noah and the ark, Abraham, Joseph and his coat, Moses and the Exodus, yes they are true. But have you read them yourself? Have you approached them from the perspective of finding insights? seeking understanding into our spiritual nature? Have you looked for faith lessons hidden in the dark? things He wants us to know if we'll just seek and ask?

To dig into the Old Testament is to find the questions answered in the New. All Scripture is for our instruction. To help us endure. Offer encouragement and hope. They are our spiritual history. One we need to embrace and share with our children, grandchildren, the next generation so they may know God for His great faithfulness. So we and they might not make the same faithless blunders as those who've gone before us.

Practice now. Reread the passage again. Ask God what He wants you to know from the bit of history given of your spiritual forefathers. Look for insights, lessons, instruction, hope, and encouragement.

Father God, open my eyes to the wonder of Your faithfulness in all Your Word.