Psalms 78:72

Psa 78:72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

Ver. 72. So he fed them, &c.] See Psa 78:70. He was not malus vir bonus princeps (as is said of our Richard III), but every way accomplished, and active for the good of his subjects.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Psa 78:72. So he fed them — Having so great a trust put into his hands, he obtained mercy of the Lord to be found both skilful and faithful in the discharge of it; he fed them — That is, he ruled and taught them, guided and protected them, 1st, Very honestly; according to the integrity of his heart — Aiming at nothing else but the glory of God, and the good of the people committed to his charge. The principles of religion were the maxims of his government, which he administered, not with carnal policy, but with godly sincerity, by the grace of God. 2d, Very discreetly; he did it by the skilfulness of his hands — He was not only very sincere in what he designed, but very prudent in what he performed, and chose out the most proper means in pursuit of his end; for his God did instruct him to discretion. Happy the people that are under such a government! And with good reason doth the psalmist make this the finishing, crowning instance of God’s favour to Israel; for David was a type of Christ, the great and good Shepherd, who was humbled first and then exalted; and of whom it was foretold, that he should be filled with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and should judge and reprove with equity, Isa 11:3-4. On the integrity of his heart, and the skilfulness of his hands, all his subjects may entirely rely; and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

72. (Psa 78:72) And he has fed them after his integrity of heart, and in the skill (or prudence) of his hands will lead them (still). This is no sudden interruption of the psalm, but the conclusion to which all was tending from the first. At the same time it implies that when the psalm was written, David was still reigning and expected to reign longer. Besides the divine attestation here afforded to his theocratical fidelity, the verse may be regarded as a beautiful tribute to the good and great King from his chief musician and fellow-seer. To lead, in the last clause, is to lead or tend a flock, and, with the parallel term feed, makes up the full description of a shepherd.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He showeth wherein a king’s charge standeth: to wit, to provide faithfully for his people, to guide them by counsel, and defend them by power.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 72. So he fed them] Here David is mentioned as having terminated his reign. He had fed the people, according to the integrity of his heart, for that was ever disposed to do the will of God in the administration of the kingdom: and his hand being skilful in war, he always led them out to victory against their enemies.

ANALYSIS OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH PSALM

The psalmist, considering that it is God's command that his works be not forgotten, but that the father should deliver his former doings to posterity, that they might be to them both comfort and instruction, deter them from sin, and persuade them to fear God, gives in this Psalm a long catalogue of God's dealings with his people, even from their coming out of Egypt to the conclusion of the reign of David.

There are three principal parts in this Psalm: -

I. A preface, in which the psalmist exhorts men to learn and declare the way of God, Ps 78:1-9.

II. A continued narrative of God's administration among the people, and their stubbornness, disobedience, and contumacy; together with the punishments which God inflicted upon them, Ps 78:9-67.

III. His mercy, manifested in the midst of judgment; that he did not cut them off, but, after the rejection of Ephraim, (Israel,) made choice of Judah, Zion, and David.

I. In the PREFACE or exordium he labours to gain attention: "Give ear, O my people," Ps 78:1.

1. Shows that he is about to deliver doctrines and precepts from heaven. It is God's law, and it should be heard: 1. For its excellence, Ps 78:2. 2. For its certainty, Ps 78:3.

2. He shows the end, which is another argument for attention. 1. It must not be hidden from their children, that God might be praised, Ps 78:4. 2. And his power magnified; and 3. His people edified, Ps 78:5.

Then follow the duties of their children, which are three: 1. That they might know God, his law, his works, Ps 78:6. 2. That they might trust in him, Ps 78:7. 3. That they might be obedient, Ps 78:8.

II. The NARRATION. Their fathers were stubborn and rebellious, of which he gives several examples: -

1. In Ephraim: "They turned back in the day of battle," Ps 78:9.

2. They kept not the covenant of God, Ps 78:10.

3. They forgat his works in Egypt, Ps 78:11.

The psalmist extends this narrative, and shows, 1. God's goodness; 2. Israel's obstinacy; 3. Their punishment.

I. His goodness in bringing them out of Egypt in such a marvellous way, Ps 78:12. 1. He divided the Red Sea, Ps 78:13. 2. He made the waters to stand on a heap, Ps 78:13.

1. His care in guiding them: 1. In the daytime by a cloud, Ps 78:14. 2. In the night by fire, Ps 78:14.

2. His love in providing for them. 1. He clave the rock that they might have water, Ps 78:15. 2. He caused these waters to follow them as rivers, Ps 78:16. 3. And thus they had an abundant supply, Ps 78:16.

II. Israel's obstinacy. 1. They sinned. 2. More and more. 3. Provoked the Holy One of Israel, Ps 78:17-18.

They were incredulous.

1. They tempted God by desiring other supplies than his providence had designed. He gave them manna; they would have flesh.

2. They questioned his power, Ps 78:19.

3. They were foolishly impatient, and must have immediately whatever they thought proper, else they murmured. They said, 1. He smote the rock, and the water gushed out. 2. But can he give bread also? Ps 78:20.

III. Their punishment. 1. The Lord was wroth, Ps 78:21. 2. A fire was kindled. 3. Because they believed him not, nor trusted in his salvation, Ps 78:22.

He provided manna for them; an especial blessing, on various considerations.

1. It came from heaven, Ps 78:23.

2. It came abundantly. He "rained it down," Ps 78:24.

3. It was most excellent: "Man did eat angels' food," Ps 78:25.

Weary of this, they desired flesh. In this also God heard them. 1. He brought quails. 2, In abundance. 3. Brought them to and about the camp, so that they had no labour to find them, Ps 78:25-26; Ps 78:28. 4. They were all gratified with them, Ps 78:29.

See God's justice in their punishment, and the cause of it. 1. They were "not estranged from their lust," Ps 78:30. 2. His wrath came upon them. 3. It came suddenly. 4. It slew them. 5. Even the chief of them, Ps 78:31.

See their sin notwithstanding. 1. For all this, they sinned yet more. 2. They were incredulous, Ps 78:32. 3. He caused them to consume their days in vanity. 4. And their years (forty long years) in trouble, Ps 78:33.

They began apparently to relent. 1. They sought him. 2. They returned. 3. They sought after God. 4. They remembered that he was their Rock. 5. And the Most High their Redeemer, Ps 78:34-35.

But in this, their apparent amendment, they were guilty - 1. Of hypocrisy, Ps 78:36. 2. Of insincerity, Ps 78:37. 3. Of instability: "They were not steadfast in his covenant," Ps 78:37.

On a review of this, the prophet extols the goodness of God that bore with such a people.

1. He opened to them the fountain of mercy: "He being full of compassion."

2. He displayed an act of this mercy: "He forgave their iniquity."

3. Though he punished in a measure, yet he restrained his vindictive justice, and destroyed them not, Ps 78:38.

His motives for this tenderness: 1. He remembered that they were but flesh. 2. That, their probation once ended, their state was fixed for ever, Ps 78:39. See the note. See Clarke on Ps 78:39.

He proceeds with the story of their rebellions. 1. They provoked him often in the wilderness. 2. They grieved him in the desert, Ps 78:40. 3. They returned to sin, tempted him. 4. Insulted him. 5. And forgat all his past mercies, Ps 78:41-43. More particularly, 1. They remembered not his hand, Ps 78:42. 2. Nor his signs in Egypt, Ps 78:44.

The wonders which he wrought in Egypt. Five of the plagues mentioned: -

First plague. He turned their rivers into blood, Ps 78:44.

Fourth plague. He sent divers flies, Ps 78:45.

Second plague. The frogs destroyed them, Ps 78:45.

Eighth plague. The locusts, Ps 78:46.

Seventh plague. Their vines, c. were destroyed, Ps 78:47.

1. He cast upon them the fierceness of his wrath. 2. Sent evil angels among them. 3. And made a path for his anger, Ps 78:49.

The first plague. He gave their life to the pestilence, Ps 78:50.

The last plague. He slew their first-born, Ps 78:51.

He now gives a recital of God's mercy in the following particulars:

1. He brought his people through the Red Sea, Ps 78:52.

2. He guided them as a flock.

3. He kept them in safety, Ps 78:53.

4. He did not suffer them still to wander, but brought them, - 1. To the border of his sanctuary. 2. Even to Mount Zion. 3. Cast out the heathen before them. 4. And divided them an inheritance by lot, Ps 78:54 Ps 78:55.

Yet still, 1. "They tempted and provoked him." 2. "Kept not his testimonies." 3. "Turned aside" from his worship. 4. Were unfaithful. 5. And idolatrous, Ps 78:55-58.

For this, - 1. God's wrath grows more hot against the people. 2. He greatly abhorred Israel. 3. Forsook the tabernacle. 4. Delivered up the ark. 5. Gave the people to the sword. 6. Gave up the priests to death. 7. And brought upon them general desolation, Ps 78:59-64.

Once more, God - 1. Remembers them in mercy. 2. Fixes his tabernacle among them. 3. Chooses David to be their king. 4. During the whole of whose days they had prosperity in all things, Ps 78:65-72.

Behold here the goodness and severity of God. Reader, learn wisdom by what those have suffered.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

72. the integrity of his heart] Cp. 1Ki_9:4; Psa_7:8; Psa_101:2; and the use of the cognate adjective in Psa_15:2; Psa_18:23.

the skilfulness] The regal faculty of discernment which Solomon desired (1Ki_3:9), and with which he was so richly endowed (1Ki_4:29).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

So he fed them - He performed toward them the office of a shepherd.

According to the integrity of his heart - literally, “According to the perfection of his heart.” That is, he was upright and pure in the administration of his government.

And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands - literally, “by the understanding of his hands” - as if the hand had been endued with intelligence. Compare Psa 144:1 : “Which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” See also Psa 137:5. The idea is, that he administered the government with integrity and uprightness. This is a beautiful tribute to the integrity and purity of the administration of David. It is not the language of flattery; it is a simple statement, flowing from the heart, in favor of a just and upright administration; and it is a true statement of what the administration of David was. Save in the matter of Uriah - over which he afterward wept so bitterly - his administration was eminently just, pure, impartial, wise, and benignant; probably none among people have been more so. The whole psalm is thus a beautiful argument showing why the government had been transferred from Ephraim to Judah, and why it had been placed in the hands of David.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

He commends David for the two necessary ingredients of a good prince.

1. Integrity; whereby he sincerely sought the good and welfare of his people, avoiding and abhorring those counsels and courses which were contrary thereunto.

2. Skilfulness; whereby he managed all the public affairs with singular prudence; which is here ascribed to his hands, not because it was seated in them, but because it was acted and discovered by them, and appeared in all his actions or administrations.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 72. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart. David was upright before God, and never swerved in heart from the obedient worship of Jehovah. Whatever faults he had, he was unfeignedly sincere in his allegiance to Israel's superior king; he shepherded for God with honest heart.

And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. He was a sagacious ruler, and the psalmist magnifies the Lord for having appointed him. Under David, the Jewish kingdom rose to an honourable position among the nations, and exercised an influence over its neighbours. In closing the Psalm which has described the varying conditions of the chosen nation, we are glad to end so peacefully; with all noise of tumult or of sinful rites hushed into silence. After a long voyage over a stormy sea, the ark of the Jewish state rested on its Ararat, beneath a wise and gentle reign, to be wafted no more hither and thither by floods and gales. The psalmist had all along intended to make this his last stanza, and we too may be content to finish all our songs of love with the reign of the Lord's anointed. Only we may eagerly enquire, when will it come? When shall we end these desert roamings, these rebellions, and chastenings, and enter into the rest of a settled kingdom, with the Lord Jesus reigning as "the Prince of the house of David?"

Thus have we ended this lengthy parable, may we in our life parable have less of sin, and as much of grace as are displayed in Israel's history, and may we close it under the safe guidance of "that great Shepherd of the sheep." AMEN.

Ver. 72. In spite of his transgressions, which he always bitterly repented of and which were therefore blotted out of the Book of God, he remains to all princes and rulers of the earth as the noblest pattern. In perfect inward truth he knew and felt himself to be "King by the grace of God." The crown and sceptre he bore merely in trust from the King of all kings; and to his latest breath he endeavoured with all his earnestness to be found as a genuine theocratic king, who in everything must conduct his earthly government according to the ordinances and directions of God. Therefore the Lord made all that he took in hand prosper, and nothing was clearer to the people than that the Lord was truly with the king. Frederick William Krummacher, in "David, the King of Israel." 1867.

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart. On the whole, David performed his task of governing Israel faithfully. He had the direct testimony of God to that effect. (see 1Ki_9:4) And he guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. David was not only an upright and faithful king, but also a "skilful" or prudent one. He built up his kingdom into an empire without suffering any serious disasters. Israel reached its acme of glory and prosperity under him, decline setting in

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.