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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_078_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:1 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/78-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/78-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Chapter 78</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/77-20.htm" title="Psalm 77:20">◄</a> Psalm 78:1 <a href="/psalms/78-2.htm" title="Psalm 78:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A maskil of Asaph. My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, <i>to</i> my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A Contemplation of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, <i>to</i> my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Listen, my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A skillful song, <i>or</i> a didactic <i>or</i> reflective poem, of Asaph. Listen, O my people, to my teaching; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth [and be willing to learn].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. † My people, hear my instruction; listen to the words from my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. My people, hear my instruction; listen to what I say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My friends, I beg you to listen as I teach. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[A [maskil] by Asaph.] Open your ears to my teachings, my people. Turn your ears to the words from my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Listen, my people, to my teaching, and pay attention to what I say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Listen, my people, to my instruction. Hear the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A well-written song by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[A contemplation by Asaph.] Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ear to the words of my mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A contemplation by Asaph. Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />AN INSTRUCTION OF ASAPH. Give ear, O my people, to my law, "" Incline your ear to sayings of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> An Instruction of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law, Incline your ear to sayings of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Instruction to Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the sayings of my mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Understanding for Asaph. Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:1>The understanding of Asaph. O my people, attend to my law. Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A <i>maskil</i> of Asaph. Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />GIVE ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />My people, give ear to my Law and be persuaded and incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>A Psalm</i> of instruction for Asaph. Give heed, O my people, to my law: incline your ear to the words of my mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9466" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4905.htm" title="4905: maś·kîl (N-ms) -- Instructive, a didactic poem. From sakal; instructive, i.e. A didactic poem.">A Maskil</a> <a href="/hebrew/623.htm" title="623: lə·’ā·sāp̄ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Gatherer, the name of several Isr. From 'acaph; collector; Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first.">of Asaph.</a> <a href="/hebrew/238.htm" title="238: ha·’ă·zî·nāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen; to broaden out the ear, i.e. to listen."> Give ear,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">O my people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8451.htm" title="8451: tō·w·rā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Direction, instruction, law. Or torah; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.">to my instruction;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: haṭ·ṭū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ā·zə·nə·ḵem (N-fsc:: 2mp) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/561.htm" title="561: lə·’im·rê- (Prep-l:: N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From 'amar; something said.">to the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p̄î (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">of my mouth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-7</a></span><br />Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. / And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. / These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1-2</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. / For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-4.htm">Isaiah 51:4</a></span><br />Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Matthew 13:34-35</a></span><br />Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. / So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-2.htm">Mark 4:2</a></span><br />And He taught them many things in parables, and in His teaching He said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2</a></span><br />And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-11</a></span><br />I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. / They all ate the same spiritual food ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-23.htm">Isaiah 28:23</a></span><br />Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-12.htm">Jeremiah 9:12</a></span><br />Who is the man wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-49.htm">Ezekiel 20:49</a></span><br />Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-15.htm">Matthew 11:15</a></span><br />He who has ears, let him hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-8.htm">Luke 8:8</a></span><br />Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-7.htm">Revelation 2:7</a></span><br />He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a></span><br />Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1</a></b></br> Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast <i>us</i> off for ever? <i>why</i> doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/15-1.htm">2 Chronicles 15:1</a></b></br> And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/16-1.htm">2 Chronicles 16:1</a></b></br> In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Psalm 49:1-3</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all <i>ye</i> people; give ear, all <i>ye</i> inhabitants of the world: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a></b></br> Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done <i>this</i> evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, <i>and</i> be clear when thou judgest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/5-3.htm">Judges 5:3</a></b></br> Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, <i>even</i> I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing <i>praise</i> to the LORD God of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">An</a> <a href="/psalms/77-20.htm">Asaph</a> <a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Asaph&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/69-23.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Contemplation</a> <a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/69-33.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/71-2.htm">Incline</a> <a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/psalms/40-8.htm">Law</a> <a href="/psalms/77-20.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Maskil</a> <a href="/psalms/73-9.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/54-2.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/psalms/74-21.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/77-4.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">An</a> <a href="/psalms/78-72.htm">Asaph</a> <a href="/psalms/79-1.htm">Asaph&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Contemplation</a> <a href="/psalms/80-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/78-59.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/psalms/80-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/86-1.htm">Incline</a> <a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/psalms/78-5.htm">Law</a> <a href="/psalms/87-7.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Maskil</a> <a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Sayings</a> <a href="/psalms/78-5.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/psalms/78-6.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A Maskil of Asaph.</b><br>The term "Maskil" refers to a type of psalm that is meant to impart wisdom or instruction. Asaph, a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David, is credited with composing this psalm. Asaph's role in the temple worship highlights the importance of music and poetry in conveying spiritual truths. The use of "Maskil" suggests that this psalm is intended to teach and provide insight, possibly reflecting on Israel's history and God's faithfulness.<p><b>Give ear, O my people, to my instruction;</b><br>This phrase is a call for attention, urging the people of Israel to listen carefully. The phrase "my people" indicates a communal address, emphasizing the collective identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people. The term "instruction" can be understood as teaching or law, reminiscent of the Torah, which is central to Jewish life and worship. This call to heed instruction is a recurring theme in wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, where listening to wisdom is equated with life and blessing.<p><b>listen to the words of my mouth.</b><br>The repetition of the call to listen underscores the importance of the message being delivered. The "words of my mouth" suggests a direct communication from God through the psalmist, akin to the prophetic tradition where God's messages are conveyed through human voices. This phrase also echoes the Shema (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>), a foundational declaration of faith in Judaism, which begins with a call to hear. The emphasis on listening is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's word is paramount.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/asaph.htm">Asaph</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a>, Asaph was a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. He is known for his role in composing several psalms.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of the psalm, representing God's chosen people who are called to listen and learn from their history and God's instructions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/instruction.htm">Instruction</a></b><br>The psalm begins with a call to heed instruction, emphasizing the importance of teaching and learning from past experiences and divine guidance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Listening is a fundamental aspect of spiritual growth. Just as the Israelites were called to listen to God's instruction, we too must be attentive to His Word in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_history.htm">Learning from History</a></b><br>Psalm 78 serves as a reminder to learn from the past. Reflecting on the history of God's people helps us understand His faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/passing_down_wisdom.htm">Passing Down Wisdom</a></b><br>The psalm underscores the responsibility of passing down God's teachings to future generations. We are called to be diligent in teaching our children and others about God's works and commandments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_engagement_with_scripture.htm">Active Engagement with Scripture</a></b><br>Engaging actively with Scripture involves more than just reading; it requires listening, understanding, and applying God's Word to our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_divine_punishment_in_psalm_78_at_odds_with_a_loving_god.htm">Does the repeated theme of divine punishment in Psalm 78 conflict with the concept of a loving God found in other biblical passages? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lying_against_god's_teachings.htm">How can we express gratitude according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_psalm_40_7-8_and_nt_views_on_jesus_align.htm">Psalm 40:7-8 - The psalmist speaks of fulfilling what is written in the scroll; how does this align--or conflict--with later New Testament interpretations that apply these verses to Jesus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_birth_year_of_apostle_paul.htm">What does 'incline your ear' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) For the formal opening see <a href="/psalms/49-1.htm" title="Hear this, all you people; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world:">Psalm 49:1</a>, Note.<p><span class= "bld">My people.</span>--An expression pointing to a position of weight and authority.<p><span class= "bld">My law.</span>--Here, rather <span class= "ital">instruction, </span>or <span class= "ital">doctrine.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-8.</span> - The <span class="accented">introduction</span> calls special attention to the teaching that is about to be put forth, which it declares to be traditional (ver. 3), and, further, to be the sort of instruction which God had especially commanded to be given to his people by their teachers (vers. 5, 6) for their edification (vers. 7, 8). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Give ear, O my people, to my law;</span> rather, <span class="accented">to my teaching. Hat-torah</span> - <span class="accented">torah</span> with the article - is "the Law;" but <span class="accented">torah</span> alone is any teaching or instruction. <span class="cmt_word">Incline</span> <span class="cmt_word">your ears to the words of my mouth.</span> Dr. Kay regards the words of ver. 1 as "God's own words," <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> on account of the expression, "<span class="accented">O</span> <span class="accented">my</span> people;" and <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> on account of "<span class="accented">my Law</span>." But "my people" is not inappropriate in the mouth of a psalmist, and occurs in <a href="/psalms/59-11.htm">Psalm 59:11</a> and Psalms 144:2. It "indicates the love in which the effort of the psalmist originated" (Hengstenberg). And "law," as already observed, is not the proper, or at any rate not the only, meaning of <span class="accented">torah.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A Maskil</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשְׂכִּ֗יל</span> <span class="translit">(maś·kîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4905.htm">Strong's 4905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Instructive, a didactic poem</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Asaph.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָ֫סָ֥ף</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ā·sāp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_623.htm">Strong's 623: </a> </span><span class="str2">Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Give ear,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאֲזִ֣ינָה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ă·zî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_238.htm">Strong's 238: </a> </span><span class="str2">To broaden out the ear, to listen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O my people,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֭מִּי</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to my instruction;</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹרָתִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·rā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8451.htm">Strong's 8451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Direction, instruction, law</span><br /><br /><span class="word">listen</span><br /><span class="heb">הַטּ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(haṭ·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the words</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִמְרֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’im·rê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_561.htm">Strong's 561: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something said</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my mouth.</span><br /><span class="heb">פִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(p̄î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-1.htm">Psalm 78:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:1 A contemplation by Asaph (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/77-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 77:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>