Tehilim Perek 78

Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, and today we’ll be discussing Tehilim, Chapter 78. This is the first of two classes on the perek, which contains 72 pessukim.

Its re-occurring theme describes the ways in which YIsrael sinned and Hashem forgave us.

The chapter recounts parts of the history of the Jewish people from yetziyas Mitzrayim and the miracles that were experienced there, to the travels in the desert, all the way to the conquest of Eretz Yisrael and the establishment of the house of Dovid. Asaph relates that despite Yisrael’s sins, Hashem saved them and brought them to a place of peace and tranquility.

The point is not just to live in the past. Recounting all of the good that God has done for us gives us strength and emuna in the present.

In fact, the Shai Lemora adds that recounting the story of Am Yisrael is itself Torah and emunah because it informs us of Hashem’s providence over us as well as reinforcing the concepts of reward and punishment.

The perek opens with Asaph calling attention to the nation to listen to his “parables and riddles.” The purpose of retelling these stories is for our children and future generations.

God purposely made a promise with Yaakov that his children will know for all generation about the greatness of God. They will put their confidence in God.

The chapter specifically singles out the tribe of Efraim for not listening to God. The Meforshim explain that this is either because they tried to reenter Eretz Yisrael before they were allowed to, or they tried to leave Mitzrayim too early.

God split the sea. He also protected Yisrael in the desert with fiery clouds and gave them water from a rock. Despite this goodness, they still complained. The mon wasn’t good enough. They tested God, wanting meat.

Their lack of faith in God’s goodness was upsetting. Hashem opened up the skies and sent down pieces of meat in the form of a swarm of birds to punish the nation.

Yisrael was temporarily satisfied, until the sin of the spies. Once again, they had no faith. They served God in a superficial manner, only paying lip service to Him. As time went on, Hashem once again forgave Yisrael, as His compassion knows no bounds.

No matter what good things Hashem did for us, we repeatedly forgot about them. Even the 10 plagues were forgotten shortly after leaving in Egypt. Hashem saved us from death, taking care of us like His personal flock of sheep.

Hashem brought us to Har Sinai, chose us from amongst all the nations of the world and gave us His Torah. Nonetheless, we sinned with the cheit haegel, the golden calf, which called down His wrath.

The perek ends by Hashem again recalling His intrinsic love for Am Yisrael and anointing Dovid as the King from whom Mashiach will ultimately come.

May we merit God’s compassion to be once again aroused, when we’ll see His wonders as we did in the days of old with the revelation of Mashiach Ben Dovid and the rebuilding of the 3^rd Beis Hamikdash.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.