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Ordinary Time · Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25+54 (24b)

Tell the Coming Generation

August 1, 2027

The Gathering of Manna, Francesco Bacchiacca
The Gathering of Manna, Francesco Bacchiacca, c. 1540–55National Gallery of Art, Washington
A small Florentine panel with the Israelites stooping and filling jars across the foreground, every figure borrowed from a different master.He commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven. Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.Francesco BacchiaccaA Florentine painter of small narrative panels, a magpie who borrowed figures freely from Dürer and Michelangelo.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonGiven to the United States by Andrew Mellon in 1937 on condition it carry no founder's name, so that others would give to it too.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 6:24-35Jn 6:24-35
Second ReadingEph. 4:17, 20-24Eph 4:17, 20-24
First ReadingExod. 16:2-4, 12-15Ex 16:2-4, 12-15
Responsorial PsalmPs. 78:3-4, 23-24, 25+54 (24b)Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25+54 (24b)

Overview & Insights

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.” (Psalm 78:4)

Like most psalms, Psalm 78 is explicitly meant for public performance (“O my people, hear,” and “things we have heard . . . we will tell,” vv. 1–4), but unlike most, which are either prayers (Hb. tepillâ) or praises (Hb. tehillâ), this one is explicitly teaching (Hb. tôrâ; only here in the Pss. does this term not denote God’s “teaching/law”). Like Psalm 49 (v. 4, cf. Prov. 1:6), it designates itself as a parable (or “comparison,” Hb. māšāl) and as “riddles” (rendered “things hidden” in the NIV). Thus, we should expect to find in Psalm 78 explicit teaching and lessons but also something of a puzzle and mystery (as in 49:5–6, 15). The lessons are clear in virtually every verse (esp. in light of vv. 5–8), but the mysteries become apparent only after considering the psalm as a whole. To this we shall return.

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Take it further: Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25+54 (24b)

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 78:23-29Commentary on Ps 78:23-29 Working Preacher

Exegesis of the rained down manna and the grain of heaven, for this Sunday.

Psalm 78: God's Guidance Despite Israel's UnbeliefPs 78: God's Guidance Despite Israel's Unbelief Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the psalm.

Psalm 78:3 CommentariesPs 78:3 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the retelling of God's wonders in one place.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 78 in HebrewPs 78 in Hebrew Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English alongside and traditional Jewish commentary links.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Psalm 78Catena on Ps 78 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on the manna and the grain of heaven.

Questions preachers ask

Why recount Israel’s history?

Psalm 78 teaches the next generation by rehearsing God’s wonders and Israel’s forgetfulness, including the manna and the water from the rock, so that they will set their hope in God and not forget his works.

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