Psalms 78:59 - When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel;
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Psalms 78:59" mean?
Psalm 78:59, "When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel," is a powerful statement about the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Let's break down what it means:
"When God heard this...": This refers to the actions and attitudes of the Israelites described earlier in Psalm 78. The Psalm recounts a long history of God's blessings and deliverance of Israel, followed by their repeated rebellion, idolatry, and forgetfulness of his covenant. Specifically, the context likely refers to the Israelites' worship of idols and turning away from God (as detailed in the verses preceding verse 59).
"...he was angry...": God's anger is a common theme in the Old Testament. It's not a petty or uncontrolled rage, but rather a righteous indignation against injustice, disobedience, and particularly, the rejection of his love and provision. In this context, God's anger stems from the Israelites' consistent breaking of their covenant with him and their preference for false gods.
"...and greatly abhorred Israel": The word "abhorred" is strong. It means to detest, loathe, or regard with repugnance. God's abhorrence is not a complete rejection, but a deep sense of disappointment and grief over Israel's actions. It reflects the profound hurt caused by their turning away from him after all he had done for them. This indicates a breakdown in the relationship between God and his chosen people because of their actions.
In essence, Psalm 78:59 signifies:
The consequences of disobedience: The verse highlights that there are consequences for turning away from God and breaking covenant.
God's emotional response to sin: God is not indifferent to the actions of his people. He experiences emotions like anger and sorrow when they choose to reject him.
The severity of idolatry: The verse emphasizes how seriously God takes idolatry. Turning to other gods is seen as a direct rejection of him.
Important Considerations:
Context: It is crucial to read Psalm 78 in its entirety to understand the full context of this verse. The Psalm is a reminder of Israel's history of unfaithfulness and a warning against repeating those mistakes.
God's Character: While God expresses anger and abhorrence, it's also important to remember his enduring love and faithfulness. Throughout the Old Testament, even when Israel is disobedient, God continues to offer them opportunities for repentance and restoration.
Theological Implications: This verse (and the broader Psalm) raises important theological questions about God's justice, mercy, and the nature of the covenant relationship.
In summary, Psalm 78:59 is a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences of rejecting God. It reflects God's righteous anger and profound disappointment over Israel's unfaithfulness, while also hinting at the possibility of redemption and restoration.
Psalms 78:59 - When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel;
What does "Psalms 78:59" mean?
Psalm 78:59, "When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel," is a powerful statement about the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Let's break down what it means:
"When God heard this...": This refers to the actions and attitudes of the Israelites described earlier in Psalm 78. The Psalm recounts a long history of God's blessings and deliverance of Israel, followed by their repeated rebellion, idolatry, and forgetfulness of his covenant. Specifically, the context likely refers to the Israelites' worship of idols and turning away from God (as detailed in the verses preceding verse 59).
"...he was angry...": God's anger is a common theme in the Old Testament. It's not a petty or uncontrolled rage, but rather a righteous indignation against injustice, disobedience, and particularly, the rejection of his love and provision. In this context, God's anger stems from the Israelites' consistent breaking of their covenant with him and their preference for false gods.
"...and greatly abhorred Israel": The word "abhorred" is strong. It means to detest, loathe, or regard with repugnance. God's abhorrence is not a complete rejection, but a deep sense of disappointment and grief over Israel's actions. It reflects the profound hurt caused by their turning away from him after all he had done for them. This indicates a breakdown in the relationship between God and his chosen people because of their actions.
In essence, Psalm 78:59 signifies:
The consequences of disobedience: The verse highlights that there are consequences for turning away from God and breaking covenant.
God's emotional response to sin: God is not indifferent to the actions of his people. He experiences emotions like anger and sorrow when they choose to reject him.
The severity of idolatry: The verse emphasizes how seriously God takes idolatry. Turning to other gods is seen as a direct rejection of him.
Important Considerations:
Context: It is crucial to read Psalm 78 in its entirety to understand the full context of this verse. The Psalm is a reminder of Israel's history of unfaithfulness and a warning against repeating those mistakes.
God's Character: While God expresses anger and abhorrence, it's also important to remember his enduring love and faithfulness. Throughout the Old Testament, even when Israel is disobedient, God continues to offer them opportunities for repentance and restoration.
Theological Implications: This verse (and the broader Psalm) raises important theological questions about God's justice, mercy, and the nature of the covenant relationship.
In summary, Psalm 78:59 is a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences of rejecting God. It reflects God's righteous anger and profound disappointment over Israel's unfaithfulness, while also hinting at the possibility of redemption and restoration.