Tell the Story
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Key Verse: “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” Selected Scripture: |
IN THIS FINAL LESSON ON the Psalms, “Tell the Story,” the Key Verse emphasizes the importance of passing on to our children and the next generation the message concerning the law and wonderful works of God, as outlined in the Scriptures. Psalm 78 is entitled a “Maschil of Asaph” [“A Psalm for Asaph to give instruction”—Marginal Translation]. This is the tenth of thirteen Maschil, or teaching psalms. It is also the seventh of the twelve Psalms of Asaph. Asaph was one of David’s musicians (I Chron. 6:31,39), as well as a prophet, or seer.—II Chron. 29:30
Asaph’s message is an historical account of the people of Israel from their beginnings as the twelve sons of Jacob until his own day during the kingship of David. The psalmist put it into song, rather than in narrative, so that the singing might have greater impact and meaning to his people. It concerns the mighty deeds of God and the unfaithful response of the children of Israel over and over again to God’s wondrous works on their behalf.
As a prophet, Asaph served as a mouthpiece of the Lord in speaking to Israel and requiring their attention to his law. The psalm opens with the command, “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.” (vs 1) God demands that his law might be known and observed by the children of Israel. “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.” (vss. 2,3) Parables and dark sayings demand serious effort and study to be understood. These important matters were known by his people, and had been passed down to them from times of old. The words of our text take on added meaning when they are put in context of this promise to pass these laws of God on to posterity.
The psalmist continues, “He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children.” (vs. 5) They were instructed to keep God’s laws and to make them available for their offspring. “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children.” (vs. 6) This was a legacy which was left to them, “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”—vss. 7,8
The Lord’s people now living at the end of the Gospel Age may also learn this lesson concerning the importance of teaching the present generation of children about God’s laws and the promises of his coming kingdom. Let us continue to ‘tell the story’ about God’s wondrous love that will bring blessings and life to the whole creation that yet groans under the weight of sin and death. Soon that weight will be lifted as God’s Kingdom is established as “the mountain of the Lord’s house,” and “all nations shall flow unto it.”—Isa. 2:2