King James Version

What Does Psalms 78:5 Mean?

Psalms 78:5 in the King James Version says “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 78 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:”

Psalms 78:5 · KJV

Context

3

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

4

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

6

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

7

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The psalm establishes God's law: "For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children" (Hebrew va-yaqem edut b-Ya-aqov v-torah sam b-Yisra-el asher tzivvah et-avoteynu l-hodi-am liv-neyhem). "Testimony" (Hebrew eduth) and "law" (Hebrew torah) indicate God's revealed will. The intergenerational command is explicit: fathers must teach children. This establishes Scripture's authority and transmission pattern. Faith depends on faithful teaching.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God gave the law at Sinai (Exodus 20-24) with explicit commands for parental instruction (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:18-21). The pattern: God reveals, parents teach, children receive and transmit. When this breaks (Judges 2:10), apostasy follows. The synagogue system developed to formalize this teaching. Jesus and Paul continued this pattern (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How are you fulfilling the command to "make known" God's truth to the next generation?
  2. What happens when a generation fails to transmit faith to children?
  3. How does Scripture itself function as the "testimony" and "law" passed from generation to generation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיָּ֤קֶם1 of 12

“For he established”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֵד֨וּת׀2 of 12

“a testimony”

H5715

testimony

בְּֽיַעֲקֹ֗ב3 of 12

“in Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְתוֹרָה֮4 of 12

“a law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

שָׂ֤ם5 of 12

“and appointed”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בְּיִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל6 of 12

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִ֭וָּה8 of 12

“which he commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶת9 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲבוֹתֵ֑ינוּ10 of 12

“our fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לְ֝הוֹדִיעָ֗ם11 of 12

“that they should make them known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לִבְנֵיהֶֽם׃12 of 12

“to their children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 78:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 78:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 6:4Deuteronomy 6:7Psalms 81:5Deuteronomy 4:45Genesis 18:19Isaiah 8:20

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