The Bible Says
Psalm 78:34-39 Meaning

As Asaph recounts Israel’s repeated failures and God’s merciful corrections, he describes a moment of renewed seeking: When He killed them, then they sought Him, and returned and searched diligently for God (v. 34). Psalm 78:34-39 shows that the people often waited for severe consequences before they earnestly turned back to the Lord, especially during the centuries between the Exodus (1446-1406 BC) and King David’s reign (about 1010-970 BC), when Asaph served as a temple musician. Their hearts were stirred to repent only after God’s judgment became undeniable, illustrating that outward circumstances drove them toward dependence on Him.

The reference to God killing them points back to the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. The wilderness, typically understood to be within the region of the Sinai Peninsula, is a stark, desolate place. When Israel violated the covenant, God used plagues or enemy attacks to bring them to repentance (Numbers 14). In holding them accountable, He remained faithful to His promise to shape them as His covenant people.

Asaph continues by noting, And they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer (v. 35). Once they saw the seriousness of their plight, they recalled how God had delivered them from bondage in Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, and feeding them manna in that barren desert. This act of remembrance reminded them that God was their stable foundation, the ultimate protector and rescuer of their souls.

Calling God their Rock connects to other biblical references of the Lord being firm and unshakable (Deuteronomy 32:4). Even when the Israelites faltered, they could look to this steadfast foundation for deliverance. Highlighting Redeemer connects directly to the idea of freedom from slavery, a profound foretaste of Jesus’ sacrifice that redeems all who trust in Him (Romans 3:24), underscoring God’s consistent heart of rescue.

Yet Asaph observes the people’s inconsistent response: But they deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue (v. 36). Though they acknowledged God in words, their lives did not always align with sincere worship. This type of surface—level repentance has plagued humanity whenever the fear of judgment stirs a short—lived confession without heart transformation.

Such empty words spotlights how sin can harden hearts, leading to actions that betray real devotion. When the danger seemed to pass, the people’s renewed zeal swiftly faded, a pattern often repeated. Elsewhere in Scripture, the prophets warned against vocally honoring God while hearts remain far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). Israel’s situation offers a sobering cautionary tale for all believers.

Asaph describes the root problem: For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant (v. 37). Loyalty and devotion were lacking, exposing a divided heart. While they could momentarily fear God, they failed to establish the lasting faithfulness He desired. This epitomizes the gap between mere external compliance and genuine devotion from the heart.

The covenant, established at Mount Sinai in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula, required Israel’s obedience as God’s chosen people. When their hearts wavered, they drifted into rebellion or idolatry, forgetting the loyal love that binds believers to the Lord. History reveals how crucial a steadfast heart is for a thriving relationship with God, as emphasized in all of Scripture.

Despite their unfaithfulness, Asaph highlights God’s mercy: But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; and often He restrained His anger and did not arouse all His wrath (v. 38). Even as Israel routinely strayed, the Lord’s compassionate nature continued to shield them from total judgment. He forgave their sins, demonstrating patience and abundant grace.

This restraint foreshadows Christ’s redemptive work, where humanity’s sins are met with compassion rather than immediate destruction (John 3:17). The Lord’s mercy in the Old Testament stands in harmony with the mercy revealed in the New, proving that His nature remains constant. He longs to restore rather than to condemn, preserving His people so they might turn fully to Him.

Finally, Asaph closes this thought by noting, Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and does not return (v. 39). God understood the frailty of humans, prone to error and quick to fade like a desert breeze. By describing humankind as transitory, Asaph underscores how God’s infinite mercy matches our finite weakness.

This recognition shows that the Lord does not deal with His people according to their failures alone, but rather according to His inexhaustible compassion. As they wandered through dangerous and barren lands, often near the ancient Sinai region, God’s memory of their weakness and brevity slowed His anger, fostering the chance for repentance and renewal time and again.