Psalms 78:49-64: a reflection

49He threw on them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, and a band of angels of evil. 50He made a path for his anger. He didn’t spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence, 51and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52But he led out his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54He brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had taken. 55He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies, 57but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were twisted like a deceitful bow. 58For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images. 59When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel, 60so that he abandoned the tent of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men, 61and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand. 62He also gave his people over to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance. 63Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. 64Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows couldn’t weep.

This part of Psalm 78 recounts both God's judgment on Egypt and, in the middle of it, a tender picture of how he cared for his own people. He led out his own people like sheep, the psalm says, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them safely, so that they were not afraid, while the sea covered their enemies. In the terror of the exodus, God shepherded his people through, guiding them like a flock, leading them safely so they were not afraid.

Notice the shepherd-care in those lines. God did not merely rescue his people and leave them to fend for themselves in the wilderness; he guided them like a flock, led them safely, and, tenderly, so that they were not afraid. He was to them what a shepherd is to sheep in a dangerous place: a guide, a protector, a presence that quieted their fear. Through the wilderness, they were led, not abandoned.

That is a picture of how God shepherds his people still, through the wildernesses of our own lives. He does not only rescue and then withdraw; he guides us through the hard, trackless stretches like a flock, leading safely, quieting fear. The psalm goes on, soberly, to recount how the people repaid this shepherding with rebellion, a warning not to do the same. But hold first the tender picture: he led out his own people like sheep and led them safely so they were not afraid. In your own wilderness, trust the Shepherd who leads his flock safely through, and does not leave you to your fear.

Lord, in the terror of the exodus you shepherded your people, guiding them through the wilderness like a flock, leading them safely so they were not afraid. Shepherd me like that through the wildernesses of my own life. Do not only rescue me and withdraw, but guide me through the hard, trackless stretches, leading me safely and quieting my fear. And keep me from repaying your care with rebellion. Lead me, Shepherd, safely through.