Psalm 78:65 (KJV)

Bible Commentary

Psalm 78:65 is a Bible verse that describes a happy ending to a sad story of how the children of Israel turned their backs on God. Psalm 78 is a long story, and a distressing one because we can see ourselves in the story of how God’s people rejected His holy instruction.

The children of Israel had waited for such a long time for a savior to come along and rescue them from their suffering of bondage, and when he finally arrived and they escaped Egypt, they complained and wanted to go back!

If we look back on our own life, it is very likely we can see a similar pattern. We prayed and waited so long for something, but then when God gave it to us, instead of being grateful we complained because it wasn’t exactly the way we expected.

Thankfully, God grants us mercy and we get another chance.

Determined to get it right this time, we begin the journey again with more patience, experience and knowledge, hand-in-hand with our Savior. However, even with more patience and experience, the wait can be long and excruciating.

We wonder sometimes if we’ve been forgotten. We don’t see results, and we don’t see the finish line. We may wonder what we’re doing wrong or begin to question God. Psalm 78 is like that. The story goes on and on, with seemingly no good end in sight. And then all of a sudden, we come to Psalm 78:65.

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.

The word “awoke” is defined as: to cease sleeping; to become aroused or active again. This definition reminds me of a bear in hibernation. He is inactive during the long winter months, but when spring comes he wakes up to become active again.

Unlocking the Truth – In an Instant

The last part of Psalm 78:65 goes further and describes the Lord, Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine. Some Hebrew meanings of “mighty man” are: warrior, champion, chief.

The Hebrew meanings of “shouts” are: to shout (usually for joy), be joyful, rejoice, sing, triumph.

So, God is coming suddenly as a warrior and our champion, shouting for joy! Let’s read the rest of the story to see what actions God takes. Psalm 78:66-72 says:

And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach. ⁶⁷ Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, And did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, ⁶⁸ But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved. ⁶⁹ And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever. ⁷⁰ He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; ⁷¹ From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. ⁷² So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Things can change so quickly you don’t even realize what happened until you look back on it. It seems like one moment God was allowing hardship and bondage upon us from our enemies, and the next He was swooping down with joy to rescue us out of their hand, so He could be our Hero and our Shepherd.

God uses our long wait to build endurance and help us to know Him as Sustainer and Friend. And then suddenly, He takes action and rescues us with a shout or a song of joy. It can take place in an instant. Hallelujah!

He has done it for His people over and over again, and He can do it for you. Study the Bible verse of Psalm 78:65 for the hope of a sudden rescue and happy ending.

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