Bible Strands
Psalms 78:8
Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the Israelite community, commanding them to teach future generations so they do not repeat the failures of their ancestors. This directive interrupts a historical recounting meant to establish enduring trust and obedience.
The words — The Hebrew term סוֹרֵר (sorer) literally means "stubborn," paired with מֹרֶה (moreh) for "rebellious," both describing a generation that consistently turns away from divine instruction.
The thread — This pattern of ancestral disloyalty resurfaces in Psalms 78:37, Exodus 32:9, and 2 Kings 17:14, where Israel’s stiff-necked defiance mirrors the very rebellion the psalm warns against.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to actively break cycles of inherited disobedience by anchoring their confidence in God’s works rather than repeating their fathers’ unfaithfulness.
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
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Cross-references
- Psalms 78:37 Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
- Exodus 32:9 The LORD also said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.
- 2 Kings 17:14 But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.
- Ezekiel 20:18 In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
- Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!
- Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
- Exodus 33:3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people; otherwise, I might destroy you on the way.”
- Exodus 33:5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I should go with you for a single moment, I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry, and I will decide what to do with you.’”
- Deuteronomy 9:13 The LORD also said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are indeed a stiff-necked people.
- Deuteronomy 9:24 You have been rebelling against the LORD since the day I came to know you.