The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.
The psalm to which this verse belongs recounts the rich blessings God bestowed upon His people and the poor return they made for those benefits. In this setting the children of Israel are presented as constantly working against a good God. Their turning back in the day of battle, though armed and carrying bows, was not accident or misfortune but the sure result of their own disobedient course of action. Their pattern was to repent under rebuke and chastisement, yet to fall again when met by temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification.
The psalm to which this verse belongs recounts the rich blessings God bestowed upon His people and the poor return they made for those benefits. In this setting the children of Israel are presented as constantly working against a good God. Their turning back in the day of battle, though armed and carrying bows, was not accident or misfortune but the sure result of their own disobedient course of action. Their pattern was to repent under rebuke and chastisement, yet to fall again when met by temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification.