Bible Strands
Psalms 78:71
from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the congregation of Israel while recounting God’s historical selection of David. The narrative moment follows God’s choice from the sheepfolds and precedes the description of David’s faithful leadership.
The words — עָל֗וֹת (a.Lot) translates as nursing [sheep], and נַחֲלָתֽ/וֹ (na.cha.la.T/o) means his inheritance. These terms mark the shift from agricultural labor to designated stewardship.
The thread — The motif of leading a people appears in 2 Samuel 5:2 and 1 Chronicles 11:2, while the care of nursing livestock echoes Genesis 33:13.
Why it lands — The text states that God extracted David from tending ewes to shepherd Jacob and Israel. It requires the reader to acknowledge that leadership is defined by appointed stewardship rather than inherited status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
- 1 Chronicles 11:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
- Genesis 33:13 But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die.
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
- Psalms 28:9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them forever.
- Psalms 75:6 For exaltation comes neither from east nor west, nor out of the desert,
- Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- Ezekiel 34:23 I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- 1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;