Question 1

What is the main message of this passage about God and his people?

Accepted Answer

This passage walks through the story of God’s people to make a clear point: God has been steady, strong, and kind, while his people have often been stubborn and forgetful. God rescued them from Egypt, parted the sea, gave water from the rock, fed them with manna and meat, and led them safely. Yet they complained, doubted, and turned to idols. Even so, God many times turned away his anger and remembered they were weak. The song calls every generation to remember God’s works, trust him, and not copy the sins of their fathers.

Question 2

Why does the passage stress teaching children about God’s works?

Accepted Answer

The song says God gave his law and stories of his works so fathers would tell them to their children, and they in turn to theirs. The goal is that those yet unborn would know, remember, and pass it on. This is meant to help each new generation set their hope in God, not forget what he has done, and keep his commands. When children do not hear these things, they are more likely to repeat the stubbornness and unbelief of earlier generations. So passing on God’s truth is seen as a serious duty and a mercy.

Question 3

What does it mean that the children of Ephraim turned back in the day of battle?

Accepted Answer

The children of Ephraim are pictured as armed with bows, yet turning back when it was time to fight. This shows outward strength but inward unfaithfulness. The song links their failure in battle to a deeper problem: they did not keep God’s covenant, they refused to walk in his law, and they forgot his works. Ephraim often stands for the northern tribes as a whole. The point is that when God’s people break faith with him, their skill and numbers cannot save them. Trust and obedience matter more than weapons and size.

Question 4

Why did God send manna and quail, then judge the people for eating?

Accepted Answer

When the people were in the wilderness, God had already given them water from the rock and daily manna from heaven. Yet they craved more and spoke against God, asking if he could spread a table in the desert. God showed his power by commanding the winds and raining down a huge amount of birds, so they ate and were filled. But they did not turn to him in trust; they clung to their craving. While the meat was still in their mouths, God’s wrath struck the strongest among them. The problem was not food itself, but unbelief and greedy hearts.

Question 5

What does it mean that they flattered God with their mouth but their heart was not right?

Accepted Answer

The passage says that when God’s hand was heavy on them, they sought him, remembered that he was their rock and redeemer, and spoke of him. But their words did not match their hearts. They “flattered” him, meaning they said the right things while their inner life stayed crooked and unsteady. Their heart was not right with him, and they were not firm in his covenant. This shows that God looks beyond prayers and songs to see whether there is real trust, love, and obedience, not just talk stirred up by fear of trouble.

Question 6

How does this passage describe God’s mercy and patience?

Accepted Answer

Even with all the complaining, testing, and idol worship, the song says God was full of compassion. He forgave their sin, often turned his anger away, and did not pour out all his wrath. He remembered they were flesh, like a passing wind that does not return. He sent plagues on Egypt to free them, led them safely like a flock, brought them into a good land, and when he judged, he also later rose up to act again for them. His mercy is seen in not wiping them out, in raising up David, and in keeping a people for himself.

Question 7

What does it mean that they limited the Holy One of Israel?

Accepted Answer

The line about limiting the Holy One of Israel is strong. It does not mean God lost his power, but that the people acted as if his power and goodness had limits. By constant doubting, asking, “Can God?” in the wilderness, and by turning to idols, they treated God as small, tied to their own ideas and fears. They forgot how he struck Egypt, turned rivers to blood, sent plagues, parted the sea, and guided them. Faithful readers have worded this in different ways, but the heart idea is that unbelief and forgetfulness dishonor God and shrink him in our eyes.

Question 8

Why does the song end with Judah, Zion, and David?

Accepted Answer

After telling how the people sinned and how God judged, the song ends with a fresh act of grace. God “refused the tabernacle of Joseph” and “chose the tribe of Judah,” the mountain of Zion, and David his servant. God took David from caring for sheep to shepherd his people. This shows God making a new start in leading them, building his sanctuary, and giving them a king with integrity of heart and skillful hands. It is a reminder that, even after much failure, God still chooses, guides, and provides faithful leadership for his people.

Question 9

How can this passage guide the way I live and teach my family today?

Accepted Answer

This passage presses you to remember and retell God’s works. It invites you to be honest about human weakness and wandering, and to keep your hope in God, not in yourself. For family life, it gives a pattern: speak often of what God has done, of his commands, and of his mercy. Help children see both the cost of stubborn sin and the kindness of God in forgiving and leading. In your own heart, let this song warn you against empty words and shallow promises, and lead you instead to steady trust and real obedience.

Psalm 78:1

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

A Maskil of Asaph.

I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

A Maskil of Asaph.

Cross References

Psalm 78:1

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

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I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

A Maskil of Asaph.

I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

A Maskil of Asaph.

Cross References