Today’s two-verse “couplet” from Psalm 78 is so typical of Hebrew Poetry. Yet it also tells its story with drama, real impact! I see two properties in this Text that must be shared with you. These might even help you better read the Bible, especially parts of the Old Testament.

First, Psalm 78:56-57 …

“Yet they (the Israelites while in the wilderness on their way from Egypt to Canaan) tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies. But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.”

First, watch the “parallelism” in the Pericope. The verbs in this case. A list (litany) of them, with about the same meaning, synonyms.

Tempted.

Provoked.

Kept not.

Turned back.

Dealt unfaithfully.

Turned aside.

The first two, “temped” and “provoked,” have already been used of the Jews in this very Psalm! See verse 41 for tempted” (in Hebrew “nasah”) and verses 8 and 17 for “marah,” (translated here as “provoked,” but there as “rebel” or “rebellious”).

“Kept not,” they did not listen! Or obey, “shama” in Hebrew.

“Turned back” is “sug,” rare in the Bible, found only 14 times. It means “to backslide!”

“Dealt unfaithfully” means more than its surface suggests, it’s “bagad” (49 times in Scripture) and insists on an underlining of “deceit!”

But after all this negativity … the last verb becomes “passive” in voice. As if (literally, grammatically) God TURNS THEM ASIDE! Look at it, “they were turned aside!” Spelled “haphak,” it means “to overthrow!” God actually killed off one generation, and waited until another had grown up to take its place!

The second trait here is that of picturesque language. “Like a deceitful bow!” That’s a “crooked” bow, a “faulty” bow, a “defective” bow, a bow that can’t aim straight! One commentator says “crooked as a corkscrew!”

Yes, the Psalms … Proverbs too … are replete with such “word pictures.” In fact, many of Job’s chapters are that way as well. All Old Testament Poetry.

God wanted Israel to be a “straight shooter!”

Instead she became “perverted, twisted, inaccurate” as a weapon in God’s Hands!

Two thoughts from as many verses in Psalm 78, on a rainy Friday morning.

Lord, help us to stay straight.

Not to renege on Thy Word!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell