Psalm 78 Friday & Saturday 4 Seasonal (Sat @ "+")
Listen, my people, to my teaching; * turn your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable; * I will reveal riddles of old.
What we have heard and know, * what our fathers have told us
we will not hide from our grandchildren, * but will tell the next generation:
the glorious deeds of Yahweh and his triumph, * the miracles that he has worked.
He set up a decree in Jacob * and established a law in Israel,
that what he commanded our fathers, * they should make known to their sons,
so that the next generation might know, * the children yet unborn * might arise and tell them to their children,
that they might put their hope in God, * and never forget the deeds of El,
that they might ever keep his commands, * and not be like their fathers:
a wayward and rebellious generation, * a generation whose heart was not firm, * whose spirit was unfaithful to God.
The sons of Ephraim were his bowmen, * his treacherous archers * who turned on the day of battle.
They failed to keep the covenant with God, * and refused to walk according to his law.
They forgot his deeds, * the wonders that he had shown them.
In the sight of their fathers he worked marvels, * in the land of Egypt, in the plain of Zoan.
He split the sea and brought them through; * he made the waters stand like a dike.
He led them by a cloud by day, * through the night by light of fire.
He split the rock in the wilderness, * and watered the vast wasteland itself.
He made streams come out of the crag, * caused waters to run down like rivers.
Yet they continued to sin against him, * to defy the Most High in the desert.
They tested God in their heart, * by demanding food for their gullet.
They spoke against God and said, * Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
Even though he struck the rock, * so that the water gushed forth, * and streams swept down in torrents,
can he also give bread * or provide meat for his people?
So when Yahweh heard them * he seethed with anger;
his fire flared up against Jacob, * and his anger rose against Israel,
because they had no faith in God, * and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above, * and opened the doors of heaven.
He rained down on them manna to eat, * and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mere man ate the food of angels; * he sent them provisions in abundance.
He let loose the east wind from heaven, * and led forth the south wind from his fortress.
And he rained on them flesh like dust, * winged fowl like the ocean sands.
He made them fall in the midst of their camp, * all around their dwellings.
So they ate and had their fill; * he brought them what they craved.
They did not desist from their complaining * with their food still in their mouth.
God's anger rose against them; * he killed their sturdiest, * and cut down the choice youth of Israel.
In spite of all this they went on sinning, * and did not believe in his wonders.
Their days he made vanish more quickly than vapor, * their years more quickly than a fleeting phantom.
When he killed them they sought him; * they repented and sought God in earnest.
They remembered that God was their Mountain, * and the Most High God their Redeemer.
But they flattered him with their mouth, * while they lied to him with their tongue.
Their heart was not steadfast toward him; * they did not believe in his covenant.
But he the Merciful forgave their sin, * and did not destroy them.
He restrained his anger often, * and nurtured none of his rage.
He remembered that they were but flesh, * a passing breath that never returns.