All things bear record · Psalms

Psalms 78

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 5 further echoes from the reading.

Teaching in Parables

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Psalms 78:2

Matthew says Jesus taught the multitudes in parables so that this verse would be fulfilled.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • quoted by Matthew 13:34-35 — That it might be fulfilled: I will open my mouth in parables.

Smitten Rock

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. Psalms 78:15–16

The rock that gave Israel water in the desert was a type of Christ. Paul says that Rock was Christ, and from Him flows living water.

AttestedProphecy or typeAn object that is a type of Him

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to Exodus 17:6 — Thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it.
  • interpreted by 1 Corinthians 10:4 — They drank of that spiritual Rock ... and that Rock was Christ.

Smitten Rock

Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? Psalms 78:20

The smitten rock pictures Christ, struck for us so that life-giving water could flow.

A readingProphecy or typeAn object that is a type of Him

Manna

Manna — 'What is it?', the bread from heaven

And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Psalms 78:24–25

The crowd quoted this verse to Jesus, and He answered that He is the true bread from heaven, the bread of life. Manna was a type of Him.

A readingProphecy or typeAn object that is a type of Him
  • quoted by John 6:31-35 — He gave them bread from heaven to eat; Jesus: I am the bread of life.
  • alludes to Exodus 16:15 — This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

Rock and Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back / delivers from bondage

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Psalms 78:35

Israel remembered that God was their Rock and Redeemer. Both are titles of Jesus Christ, the God of Israel.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in Helaman 5:12 — The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God.
  • the same title in Isaiah 41:14 — Thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the holy God who covenanted with Israel

Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41

Rebellious Israel limited the Holy One of Israel by unbelief. The Holy One of Israel is Jesus Christ.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel.

Good Shepherd

But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. Psalms 78:52–53

God led Israel like a shepherd leading sheep safely. Christ is the Good Shepherd who leads His flock.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • alluded to by John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd.

David the Shepherd-King

He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: Psalms 78:70–72

David, taken from the sheep to shepherd Israel, is a type of Christ. The prophets called the coming Messiah my servant David, who would feed the flock.

A readingProphecy or typeA person who is a type of Him
  • a type of what is in Ezekiel 34:23-24 — I will set up one shepherd over them, even my servant David; he shall feed them.
  • a type of what is in John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd.