Thankful: Praising God Through the PsalmsSample

Psalm 78 - Storytelling Psalm

Literary Context

Storytelling psalms recount the most significant moments of Israel’s history. At their center lies the Exodus story—the dramatic deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Each generation reenacted their own participation in this pivotal event through the festivals, psalms, and songs, allowing it to shape their identity as a people who had been redeemed by God. Additionally, the storytelling psalms recall God’s promises to the patriarchs (in Genesis) and his covenant with King David (in 2 Samuel 7). In every retelling, the main theme of these psalms rings clear: God is unwaveringly faithful.

Reflection

Psalm 78 begins with Asaph calling his ancient listeners to prepare themselves to hear and respond to the stories of God’s faithfulness that have been passed down through generations. His call continues to today, beckoning us to hear and respond to these same stories.

While the individual stories that Asaph recalls differ in their details, the main threads remain the same: God gives, protects, and provides. His people complain, distrust, and rebel. The story repeats itself again and again and again.

And it repeats in our lives too. In our hearts, homes, and newsfeeds.

This cycle would have been endless and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it—no one except one: the promised Son of David (Psalm 78:70-72). He alone has the power to shepherd us back to God and transform us into sheep who have learned to look to Him in faith, no matter what.

Response

In addition to the foundational stories in the Old and New Testaments, personal stories which have been passed down from biological and spiritual parents and grandparents an also serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Spend some time recalling the kinds of stories that you have heard which remind you of God’s faithfulness . Which stories from your own life do you want to pass down to others?

For further reading:

• Psalm 105
• Psalm 106
• Psalm 136