Mazmur 78:2

78:2 I will sing a song that imparts wisdom;

I will make insightful observations about the past. ¹ 

Mazmur 78:18

78:18 They willfully challenged God ² 

by asking for food to satisfy their appetite.

Mazmur 78:22

78:22 because they did not have faith in God,

and did not trust his ability to deliver them. ³ 

[78:2]  ¹ tn Heb “I will open with a wise saying my mouth, I will utter insightful sayings from long ago.” Elsewhere the Hebrew word pair חִידָה+מָשָׁל (mashal + khidah) refers to a taunt song (Hab 2:6), a parable (Ezek 17:2), proverbial sayings (Prov 1:6), and an insightful song that reflects on the mortality of humankind and the ultimate inability of riches to prevent death (Ps 49:4).

[78:18]  ² tn Heb “and they tested God in their heart.” The “heart” is viewed here as the center of their volition.

[78:22]  ³ tn Heb “and they did not trust his deliverance.”