Psalms 78:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:10 mean?

Psalms 78:10 says that the people did not keep their agreement with God and chose not to follow his instructions. The verse points out a failure to remain loyal to what God had asked of them.

In this psalm, the writer Asaph is speaking about the Israelites and their history. He is reminding the people how their ancestors broke their commitment to God (the "covenant") and deliberately turned away from living by God's teachings ("law"). This verse is part of a larger section that reviews Israel’s repeated disobedience, setting the stage for lessons about faithfulness and consequences.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:10

• "Kept" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to guard, watch, or keep. In this context, it emphasizes not just following rules, but actively protecting and valuing the covenant relationship.
• "Covenant" (בְּרִית, berit): This is a formal agreement or promise, often used for the special relationship between God and Israel. The verse highlights that this was not just any rule, but a binding, sacred agreement.
• "Refused" (מָאֵן, ma'en): This word means to be unwilling or to reject. It shows that the people’s failure was not accidental, but a willful choice.
• "Law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. It points to God’s guidance for living, not just a set of commands.

Why Psalms 78:10 matters

• Psalms 78:10 clarifies that the problem was not ignorance, but a conscious rejection of God’s ways; the people knew the covenant and the law, but chose not to keep or follow them.
• The verse helps the reader see the seriousness of breaking faith with God, especially when the relationship was based on a clear, mutual agreement.
• This verse connects to the larger message of Psalm 78, which urges the next generation to remember the past and learn from these failures, so they do not repeat them.