Psalms 78:5
For 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: For 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:
God established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, commanding the fathers to make them known to their children, so that knowledge of Him would pass to future generations. That command made teaching children God's testimony, law and requirements the parents' own duty at home, not to be delegated to another. Both fathers and mothers were to instruct their children, and the law was to be taught and obeyed from principle.
The verse belongs to a psalm that recounts the rich blessings God bestowed on His people and their poor return for all His benefits. It shows that Israel constantly worked against a good God, that through disobedience they brought upon themselves the sure result of their own course, and that they repented under rebuke and chastisement but fell again through temptation, self-indulgence and self-gratification. The psalm was written for admonition for those upon whom the ends of the world are come, containing instructive lessons in reproof, warning, encouragement and rich promises. For that reason it should be an object of study in schools, even placed in the reading and spelling lessons of the classes as timely nourishment for the youth.
The commanded teaching was to pass from generation to generation so that children would know God and His works, remember what He had done, put their hope in Him, keep His commandments, and avoid repeating the stubborn rebellion and unfaithfulness of their ancestors. That home instruction included recounting God's dealings and deliverance of His people and the promises of the coming Redeemer. Figures and symbols were used to fix the lessons in memory and to impress on children the truths of God's providence and the future life. Teaching children God's word and His wonderful works carries out the command.
The verse also calls God's people to dwell on the simplicity of faith and to give the saving truth for this time to those who do not know it. They are to explain the truths of the Word through earnest, self-sacrificing effort as fishers of men for those perishing in sins. They must advance far beyond their present standing in understanding of eternal realities for the solemn work before them, with the power of the gospel coming upon those who bear witness and a rich harvest promised to those who sow the seeds of truth.