But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
Psalm 78 was composed as a song for God's people to keep time together as they marched through the wilderness, so that their journey would be made in step and in unity. The verse recalls God bringing Israel out of Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness as a shepherd leads a flock. That leading shows God's goodness, care, and protection toward His people in making His own people go forth and guiding them like a flock of sheep. In its larger setting the psalm recounts the rich blessings God bestowed on His people and their poor response and poor return for all His benefits.
While God guided them, Israel constantly worked against Him, and by disobedience brought upon themselves the sure result of their own course of action, and though they repented under rebuke and chastisement, they fell again through temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification. The verse stands in contrast to Israel's later unfaithfulness, when they forsook the God who had led and cared for them, and by sin came under the power of nations they might otherwise have overcome. It highlights the care and protection God had given, which was withdrawn when Israel forsook Him, leaving them to suffer under their enemies.
Psalm 78 was composed as a song for God's people to keep time together as they marched through the wilderness, so that their journey would be made in step and in unity. The verse recalls God bringing Israel out of Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness as a shepherd leads a flock. That leading shows God's goodness, care, and protection toward His people in making His own people go forth and guiding them like a flock of sheep. In its larger setting the psalm recounts the rich blessings God bestowed on His people and their poor response and poor return for all His benefits.
While God guided them, Israel constantly worked against Him, and by disobedience brought upon themselves the sure result of their own course of action, and though they repented under rebuke and chastisement, they fell again through temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification. The verse stands in contrast to Israel's later unfaithfulness, when they forsook the God who had led and cared for them, and by sin came under the power of nations they might otherwise have overcome. It highlights the care and protection God had given, which was withdrawn when Israel forsook Him, leaving them to suffer under their enemies.