Psalm 78:6 calls every generation to preserve and pass on God’s faithfulness.
“That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,” (v.6) is a powerful reminder within Psalm 78 that God’s works and commandments must be passed on through every age. This psalm is attributed to Asaph, a Levite who served as chief musician during King David’s reign (1010-970 BC), and it reflects a deep concern that faith in the Lord not end with one generation. By describing future children “yet to be born,” the text emphasizes the ongoing nature of this responsibility, urging parents and teachers to testify about God’s faithfulness and deeds so that the chain of belief will remain unbroken. Psalm 78 as a whole emphasizes the mighty wonders performed during the Exodus, how Israel was delivered out of Egypt, and how vital it is that each new generation learn these accounts.
When Asaph wrote these lyrics, he tapped into a long tradition of remembering. The verse states, “That they may arise and tell them to their children,” (v.6), underscoring that each generation has the sacred duty to “arise” and speak boldly of God’s acts. In ancient Israel, gatherings would include retellings of miracles such as the parting of the waters, the guiding pillar of cloud and fire, and God’s provision in the desert. Through this psalm, Asaph called Israel not merely to dwell on past events, but to treat them as living narratives for instructing children. Since Egypt—also called Mizraim in Hebrew—was the place of bondage, the psalm’s recounting climaxes with God’s triumph over oppression. This retelling of history was considered worship in itself.
Even today, Psalm 78:6 resonates with believers, reminding us that we are part of an unbroken chain of faith. Tracking from generation to generation is a way to keep God’s glory in full view. Jesus likewise instructed His followers to proclaim the good news and make disciples—an echo of the psalmist’s heart—ensuring that no generation would be left to wander without spiritual guidance. Telling God’s story has always been the means for deepening trust and preserving truth across time, uniting parents, children, and the children “yet to be born” in a single tapestry of shared faith.
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Psalms 78:6 meaning
“That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,” (v.6) is a powerful reminder within Psalm 78 that God’s works and commandments must be passed on through every age. This psalm is attributed to Asaph, a Levite who served as chief musician during King David’s reign (1010-970 BC), and it reflects a deep concern that faith in the Lord not end with one generation. By describing future children “yet to be born,” the text emphasizes the ongoing nature of this responsibility, urging parents and teachers to testify about God’s faithfulness and deeds so that the chain of belief will remain unbroken. Psalm 78 as a whole emphasizes the mighty wonders performed during the Exodus, how Israel was delivered out of Egypt, and how vital it is that each new generation learn these accounts.
When Asaph wrote these lyrics, he tapped into a long tradition of remembering. The verse states, “That they may arise and tell them to their children,” (v.6), underscoring that each generation has the sacred duty to “arise” and speak boldly of God’s acts. In ancient Israel, gatherings would include retellings of miracles such as the parting of the waters, the guiding pillar of cloud and fire, and God’s provision in the desert. Through this psalm, Asaph called Israel not merely to dwell on past events, but to treat them as living narratives for instructing children. Since Egypt—also called Mizraim in Hebrew—was the place of bondage, the psalm’s recounting climaxes with God’s triumph over oppression. This retelling of history was considered worship in itself.
Even today, Psalm 78:6 resonates with believers, reminding us that we are part of an unbroken chain of faith. Tracking from generation to generation is a way to keep God’s glory in full view. Jesus likewise instructed His followers to proclaim the good news and make disciples—an echo of the psalmist’s heart—ensuring that no generation would be left to wander without spiritual guidance. Telling God’s story has always been the means for deepening trust and preserving truth across time, uniting parents, children, and the children “yet to be born” in a single tapestry of shared faith.