John Calvin Commentary Psalms 78:6

"That the generation to come might know [them], even the children that should be born; Who should arise and tell [them] to their children," — Psalms 78:6 (ASV)

That the generation to come might know them. In this verse, the Psalmist confirms what he had said concerning the continued transmission of divine truth. It greatly concerns us to know that the law was given not for one age only, but that the fathers should transmit it to their children, as if it were their rightful inheritance, so that it might never be lost but be preserved to the end of the world. This is the reason why Paul, in 1 Timothy 3:15, asserts that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth; by which he does not mean that the truth by itself is weak and needs external supports, but that God extends and spreads it through the agency of his ministers, who, when they faithfully carry out the teaching office with which they are entrusted, sustain the truth, so to speak, on their shoulders.

Now, the prophet teaches us that it is our solemn duty to strive so that there may be a continual succession of people to communicate instruction in divine truth. It is said of Abraham, before the law was written (Genesis 18:19):

I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment;

And after his death, this was instructed to the patriarchs as a necessary part of their duty. As soon as the law was delivered, God appointed priests in his Church to be public masters and teachers. He has also testified through the prophet Isaiah that the same is to be observed under the New Testament dispensation, saying:

My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, from henceforth and for ever. (Isaiah 59:21)

In the present passage, however, a particular instruction is given to the fathers on this point—each of them is commanded diligently to instruct his own children, and all without distinction are taught that their efforts in transmitting the name of God to their descendants will be most acceptable to Him and receive his highest approval. By the words, That the children to be born should arise, is not meant a small number of individuals; but it is implied that the preachers of divine truth, through whose efforts pure religion may flourish and prevail forever, will be as numerous as those who are born.