Psalms 78:1

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! ³ 

A maskil of Asaph. O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

<<A Maskil of Asaph.>> Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

<<A psalm of Asaph.>> O my people, listen to my teaching. Open your ears to what I am saying,

Listen, dear friends, to God's truth, bend your ears to what I tell you.

<Maschil. Of Asaph.> Give ear, O my people, to my law; let your ears be bent down to the words of my mouth.

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

<<A Contemplation of Asaph.>> Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! ³ 

¹ sn Psalm 78. The author of this lengthy didactic psalm rehearses Israel’s history. He praises God for his power, goodness and patience, but also reminds his audience that sin angers God and prompts his judgment. In the conclusion to the psalm the author elevates Jerusalem as God’s chosen city and David as his chosen king.

² tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. See the note on the phrase “well-written song” in the superscription of Ps 74.

³ tn Heb “Turn your ear to the words of my mouth.”