Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 78:9-39

"The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle. They kept not the covenant of God, And refused to walk in his law; And they forgat his doings, And his wondrous works that he had showed them. Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. He clave the sea, and caused them to pass through; And he made the waters to stand as a heap. In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, And all the night with a light of fire. He clave rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers. Yet went they on still to sin against him, To rebel against the Most High in the desert. And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire. Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people? Therefore Jehovah heard, and was wroth; And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also went up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, And trusted not in his salvation. Yet he commanded the skies above, And opened the doors of heaven; And he rained down manna upon them to eat, And gave them food from heaven. Man did eat the bread of the mighty: He sent them food to the full. He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens; And by his power he guided the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as the dust, And winged birds as the sand of the seas: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, Round about their habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled; And he gave them their own desire. They were not estranged from that which they desired, Their food was yet in their mouths, When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the fattest of them, And smote down the young men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, And believed not in his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, And their years in terror. When he slew them, then they inquired after him; And they returned and sought God earnestly. And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouth, And lied unto him with their tongue. For their heart was not right with him, Neither were they faithful in his covenant. But he, being merciful, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath. And he remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again." — Psalms 78:9-39 (ASV)

Sin dispirits people and takes away their courage. Forgetfulness of God's works is the cause of disobedience to His laws. This narrative relates a struggle between God's goodness and human wickedness. The Lord hears all our murmurings and distrust, and is greatly displeased. Those who will not believe the power of God's mercy will feel the fire of His indignation. Those cannot be said to trust in God's salvation as their ultimate happiness who cannot trust His providence on the path to it.

To all who by faith and prayer ask, seek, and knock, these doors of heaven will at any time be opened; and our distrust of God is a great aggravation of our sins. He expressed His resentment of their provocation, not by denying what they sinfully lusted after, but by granting it to them. Lust is contented with nothing. Those who indulge their lust will never be estranged from it.

Those hearts are hard indeed that will neither be melted by the mercies of the Lord nor broken by His judgments. Those who continue to sin must expect to continue to be in trouble. And the reason we live with so little comfort and to so little purpose is because we do not live by faith. Under these rebukes they professed repentance, but they were not sincere, for they were not constant.

In Israel's history, we have a picture of our own hearts and lives. God's patience, warnings, and mercies embolden them to harden their hearts against His word. And the history of kingdoms is much the same. Judgments and mercies have been little heeded until the measure of their sins has been full. And greater advantages have not kept churches from turning away from the commandments of God.

Even true believers recollect that for many a year they abused the kindness of Providence. When they come to heaven, how will they admire the Lord's patience and mercy in bringing them to His kingdom!