The Bible Says
Psalm 78:65-72 Meaning

When reflecting on Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine (v. 65), we see a vivid picture of God rising in sudden and decisive power. The phrase likens the Lord to a mighty fighter who shakes off slumber and mounts a fierce offensive. Psalm 78:65-72 presents a comparison underscoring that God may at times seem distant to His people, yet His timing and actions are always swift and effective when He moves on their behalf. It reminds us that even if divine intervention appears delayed, God’s power remains undiminished and unstoppable.

The imagery of being overcome by wine draws attention to the intensity and unstoppable nature of God’s response. A warrior whose strength is at its peak can surge forward with unstoppable force, echoing how the Lord’s intervention brings immediate results and instills fear in His enemies. It serves as a reminder to trust in God, for He who appears silent for a season will arise with purposeful might. In times when circumstances seem hopeless, the faithful can be confident that the Lord’s help will come at precisely the right moment.

When the psalmist depicts the Lord “awaking”, it illustrates a transition from apparent stillness to active judgment and rescue. Though we cannot diminish God’s unchanging vigilance, the psalm employs human language to help us grasp the suddenness with which God directs His power. The astute reader can recall other passages that speak of God’s timely intervention and see that He always remains sovereign and engaged.

Next, He drove His adversaries backward; He put on them an everlasting reproach (v. 66) tells us of God’s victory over those who oppose Him. To be driven backward implies both defeat and shame. By highlighting the eternal dimension of this reproach, the psalmist reveals the lasting consequences for those who oppose God’s purposes. This eternal aspect suggests there is no escaping the ultimate justice enacted by the Lord.

Such an everlasting reproach can be understood as a continual reminder of God’s authority. When the Lord humiliates His enemies, it is not merely to judge them but also to teach His people to trust Him and not fear the wicked. In the broader testimony of Scripture, God’s victory over evil is repeatedly emphasized, culminating in Christ’s victory over sin and death (referenced in the New Testament). The psalm here provides an Old Testament foundation for this ongoing divine triumph.

Moreover, the phrase indicates that God’s acts of judgment are never random; they serve a purpose consistent with His character. By establishing His supremacy in such conclusive fashion, the Lord ensures that His people see His protection and leadership. This abiding shame on the adversaries also instructs future generations that no one who stands against the plans of God can prevail in the end.

Reflecting on He also rejected the tent of Joseph, And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim (v. 67), we see a shift in focus to the tribes of Israel. Joseph was the beloved son of Jacob (dated around the early second millennium BC), and Ephraim was one of Joseph’s two sons who became a major tribal family in Israel. The psalmist points out that God ultimately did not designate this tribe as the leading tribe in the nation’s spiritual life.

The tent of Joseph and the tribe of Ephraim were associated with the northern kingdom in later history, yet this verse alludes to an earlier divine decision to set the stage for a different center of worship and leadership. It reminds us that divine election in Scripture is often surprising from a human perspective. People might have expected Joseph’s lineage to hold prominence, but God’s plan would be fulfilled in a way that underscored His freedom to choose as He wills.

This rejection is not a dismissal of God’s love for the tribe of Ephraim or Joseph’s legacy; rather, it denotes that the privilege of housing God’s sanctuary and the blessing of providing a kingly lineage shifted. This underscores the notion of God’s sovereign choice leading to unexpected developments and demonstrates that worship and leadership belong where God places them, not where human tradition might assume.

Then the psalmist adds, But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved (v. 68). Judah was the fourth son of Jacob who lived sometime around 1900-1800 BC, and from Judah’s descendants came King David and ultimately Jesus in the New Testament genealogies. God’s favor resting on Judah meant a centralized place of worship would arise in the territory assigned to this tribe. Mount Zion is located in Jerusalem, a city of central importance throughout biblical history.

The psalm describes Mount Zion as the hill God loved, signifying His special delight in establishing His sanctuary there. Jerusalem became the focal point of worship for the Israelites, and it carried deep spiritual and historical significance throughout centuries, including the reign of David (approximately 1010 to 970 BC) and beyond. Many psalms and prophets reference Zion as a symbol of God’s permanent dwelling with His people.

The selection of Judah over Ephraim highlights the overarching theme that God chooses according to His purposes and love rather than mere lineage or tradition. In the larger biblical narrative, Judah’s centrality continues into the New Testament, where Jesus, known as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, fulfills this ancient promise by establishing a new covenant.

When we read, And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has founded forever (v. 69), the psalmist underscores the permanence and magnificence of God’s dwelling. By comparing the sanctuary to the heights and to the earth’s firm foundation, we are reminded that the Lord’s presence is intended to be enduring and unshakable. This stands in contrast to transient earthly structures.

The motif of God's dwelling resonates with other parts of Scripture, where the Lord’s presence among His people is described as central to their prosperity and joy. Though later Israel’s temple would be destroyed, the spiritual truth of God’s abiding presence continues for believers in every generation, for He is not limited by physical walls. The world itself, founded firmly by His power, shows the steadfastness of His promises.

Furthermore, this verse ties God’s creative and redemptive acts together. The One who formed the earth also establishes a place where His people can meet with Him. This unity of creation and worship points to the grand scope of God’s reign, where both physical and spiritual realms come under divine kingship, and where creation itself stands as a testimony to His unwavering faithfulness.

The passage then says, He also chose David His servant And took him from the sheepfolds (v. 70). David served as the second king of Israel, reigning approximately 1010 to 970 BC, and was pivotal in uniting the nation under one throne. God’s selection of a shepherd to rule His people underscores the principle of divine elevation: He chooses the humble and exalts them to positions of great responsibility.

By specifically calling David from humble tasks, God demonstrates that He values faithfulness in the small assignments as a preparation for greater leadership. David’s background as a shepherd gave him an understanding of caring for the vulnerable, a trait mirrored in how he led Israel with both courage and compassion. This is an echo of how Jesus is portrayed as the Good Shepherd in the New Testament, caring for His flock in a personal, protective, and guiding manner.

Moreover, this showcases a pattern where God’s leaders often come from unlikely places. Instead of focusing on worldly power or prestige, the Lord draws near to integrity, trust, and devotion. David’s story thus provides a timeless lesson that no matter one’s background or circumstances, faithfulness to God can lead to service in His kingdom beyond what we might expect.

Continuing, From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance (v. 71) further emphasizes David’s transition to royal leadership. This imagery highlights kindness toward the weak and vulnerable. God sees that those who shepherd actual lambs with tenderness will shepherd His nation with the same gentle leadership.

In calling the nation Jacob and Israel, the psalmist reminds us of the covenant promises God made to Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. By placing David in charge, the Lord was entrusting him with the stewardship of a divine heritage. This role as a shepherd—king becomes an archetype, feeding into the biblical portrayal of spiritual leaders who guide with both authority and compassion.

Furthermore, this shepherding language resonates with the larger biblical narrative. Time and again, Scripture refers to God Himself as the ultimate Shepherd, who tends His flock with protection and nourishment. David, as a man after God’s own heart, prefigures that rescuing and restoring care, ultimately pointing forward to the Messiah’s eternal reign.

Finally, the text concludes, So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands (v. 72). This tribute to David underscores his wholehearted devotion, developed through his earlier years of humble service. Leading with integrity emphasizes moral wholeness, love for truth, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of others. Though David was imperfect, the psalm highlights the essence of his leadership under the favor of God.

The mention of skillful hands reminds us that effective leadership is both spiritual and practical. David not only had a godly heart but also discernment and bravery to deal with national issues. Faith and competence united in his leadership style, presenting a standard for future rulers and by extension for all who lead in God’s name. This is an enduring model of governance: a leader after God’s heart who balances compassion with wisdom.

Ultimately, this portrait of David points us toward the future hope of a perfect and righteous ruler. Many centuries later, Jesus would be hailed as the Son of David, fulfilling the promise of an eternal kingdom grounded in fidelity and skillful leadership. This final verse in the passage ties together God’s choice, God’s empowerment, and the resulting blessing on His people.