Psalms 78:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

PSALM 78 THE ARGUMENT The scope of this Psalm is plainly expressed Psalms 78:6-8, and is this, that the Israelites might learn to hope and trust in God, and steadfastly to keep his laws and covenant; which great lesson he presseth upon them, from the sad effects of the contrary practices in their forefathers, of which he gives a brief yet full account in a recapitulation of he most remarkable passages in the history of their church and nation. An exhortation to attend to and instruct others in the word and works of the Lord, Psalms 78:1-8. A rehearsal of God's love and long-suffering to the unbelieving and obstinate Israelites, Psalms 78:9-11, in their journey out of Egypt to the land of Canaan, Psalms 78:12-65. Rejecting the rest of the tribes, he chooseth Zion for a place of worship, and David to the kingdom, Psalms 78:67-72. My people: if Asaph was the composer of this Psalm, he might well call the Israelites his people, not only as he was their prophet and teacher, but also because they were of the same country and parentage with him; upon which account this very phrase of my people is used of them, not only by queen Esther, Esther 7:3,4, but also by the Shunammitish woman, 2 Kings 4:13. My law, i.e. the doctrine which I am about to deliver to you, concerning your duty, and the danger of neglecting it.