Psalms 78:6 “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 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.”
The Word of God is referred to as “the law … testimony” of God (Psalms 78:5) to emphasize that it is vital to our welfare and peace of mind in this present life and our worshipful service to the Lord our God. The Psalmist lists six reasons that “the law … testimony” of God must be taught to our children. First, that our children “might know them”; that is, not only to be aware of them, but to have a loving and reverential awe for them. Second, that our “children” can “declare them to their children”; that is, so that each new generation can teach the next generation. Third, so that “they might set their hope in God”; for, “all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen” (II Corinthians 1:20); that is, the mercy and grace that God has promised are absolutely sure; for, our God “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Fourth, the teaching must be perpetual so that the “children” will “not forget the works of God”; for, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalms 9:17); that is, ruin awaits the generation “that forgets God”! Fifth, not “forget”, “but keep his commandments”; for keeping “his commandments” is a testimony of our “love” for Him (John 14:15), and “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” (Isaiah 1:19). Sixth, “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”, and they brought great misery and suffering upon themselves. When the Word of God is sincerely taught to “children”, it guides them to joyfully “set … their heart aright” and to be “stedfast with God” and not to give His glory to themselves, to another person, nor to some inanimate idol. It is imperative that we teach our “children” the Word of God, if we have become lax, now is the time to get serious!