Psalms – Chapter 78

Old Testament13 Verses

Chapter Summary

"A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a…" — so begins Psalms 78. Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

2They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.

3They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.

4We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

5How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

6Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

7Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place.

8Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.

9Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name's sake:

10Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:

11Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee. According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death.

12And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

13But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.

Important Verses in Psalms 78

A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.

Psalms 78:1

How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?

Psalms 78:5

Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name's sake:

Psalms 78:9

And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

Psalms 78:12

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 78 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Jacob appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made…" The final verse reads: "But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto…" The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 78 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2340).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Psalms Chapter 78, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the sanctity of marriage and family remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

As you continue through Psalms, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 78 about?

Psalms 78 contains 13 verses. It opens with "A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made…" and closes with "But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 78?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 78?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles