John Calvin Commentary Psalms 78:56

"Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, And kept not his testimonies;" — Psalms 78:56 (ASV)

And they tempted and provoked the Most High God. Here they are rebuked for having, despite the many signs of the divine favor that distinguished them, persisted in acting treacherously. Indeed, even though God from time to time bestowed new benefits on them to bring them back to their allegiance to Him, they, nevertheless, by their rebellion, shook off His yoke.

Regarding the word tempt, we have already explained its meaning. But it is added in general, that they provoked God, because they had not kept His covenant. By this last statement, their open and gross rebellion is more completely demonstrated, for although they had been plainly taught their duty, they nevertheless refused to submit to the authority of God.

The law is called testimonies or agreements, because, as men enter into contracts upon certain conditions, so God, by His covenant, entered into a contract with this people and bound them to Himself. In speaking of them in this manner, no light censure is pronounced upon them; but when they are charged in the next verse with apostasy and treachery, that fills up the measure of their guilt.

God had adopted them to be His people; they, on the other hand, despising His favor, voluntarily renounce it. He had gathered them together under His wings; and they, by their waywardness, scatter themselves in all directions. He had promised to be a father to them; and they refuse to be His children.

He had shown them the way of salvation; and they, by going astray, willingly precipitate themselves into destruction. The prophet, therefore, concludes that in every age they showed themselves to be an impious and wicked people.

It should be noted again that the fault most severely condemned in them is that they too much resembled their fathers. This is particularly mentioned to prevent anyone from deceiving himself by supposing that in indiscriminately imitating his ancestors he is doing right, or from thinking of using their example as an argument to defend his own conduct.

The instability of the people is next expressed by a very fitting figure, which Hosea also employs (Hosea 7:16). As archers are deceived when they have a bow that is too weak, badly bent, or crooked and flexible, so it is stated that this people turned back, and slipped away by their deceitful and devious craftiness, so that they might not be governed by the hand of God.