And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Psalm 78 is a historical psalm recounting the repeated rebellion of Israel and the righteous dealings of God with His people and their enemies. The psalm moves through Israel’s unbelief, provocations, judgments, deliverances, and God’s continued faithfulness despite their sins. In this section, the ark of God had been taken by the Philistines because of Israel’s corruption and presumption (vv. 56-61; 1 Samuel 4:10-11). The enemies of God imagined they had triumphed over Jehovah Himself, but the Lord soon arose in judgment against them. Verse 66 describes God’s humiliating and shameful overthrow of the Philistines after they had captured the ark.
“And he smote.” The subject is God Himself. The Philistines may have imagined they conquered Israel by their own strength, yet the Lord remained sovereign over the battle and over its outcome. God had chastened Israel by allowing the ark to be taken, but He had not surrendered His own glory unto the heathen. Therefore, He arose to strike His enemies directly. The word “smote” speaks of divine judgment, power, and decisive overthrow. When God smites, no enemy can resist Him. Egypt was smitten with plagues (Exodus 12:29). Assyria was smitten in one night (2 Kings 19:35). The Philistines also learned that the God of Israel cannot be mocked.
“His enemies.” The Philistines were not only Israel’s enemies; they were God’s enemies. This is an important distinction. Their warfare against Israel was ultimately opposition against Jehovah and His worship. They rejoiced when the ark was captured and placed it in the house of Dagon as though their false god had triumphed over the living God (1 Samuel 5:1-2). But the Lord quickly demonstrated His supremacy by casting Dagon down before the ark and breaking him in pieces (1 Samuel 5:3-4). Men often think they oppose only God’s people, truth, or worship, but all rebellion against divine things is hostility against God Himself.
“In the hinder parts.” This phrase describes the shameful judgment God brought upon the Philistines. The historical account explains that the LORD smote the men of Ashdod and the surrounding cities with emerods or hemorrhoids, a humiliating bodily plague (1 Samuel 5:6,9,12). The phrase points to disgrace and dishonor rather than honorable warfare. God did not just defeat them outwardly; He humiliated them openly.
The judgment also exposed the impotence of idols. Dagon could not protect his worshippers. The false god lay fallen before the ark while the people themselves were smitten with shameful affliction. The Lord showed that the gods of the heathen are vanity and lies (Psalm 96:5). Men trust in false religion, human power, wealth, armies, wisdom, and earthly strength, yet God can abase them with ease.
This humiliation also matched their pride. The Philistines had gloried in the capture of the ark and imagined themselves victorious over Israel’s God. Therefore, the Lord answered them with reproach and shame. Scripture repeatedly shows God humbling the proud. Pharaoh was brought low before Egypt (Exodus 14:23-28). Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men until he acknowledged the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:32-37). Herod accepted divine honors and was smitten publicly by God (Acts 12:21-23). The Lord knows how to abase those who exalt themselves against Him.
“He put them.” The reproach came directly from God. The Philistines were not victims of chance, disease, or misfortune. Divine judgment rested upon them. The Lord actively brought them low before the nations. Scripture teaches that God not only exalts but also puts down according to His own will (Psalm 75:6-7). Nations rise and fall under His hand.
“To a perpetual reproach.” Their shame became lasting and memorable. The judgment upon the Philistines remained as a testimony of God’s power and wrath against His enemies. The word “perpetual” does not always mean absolutely endless in every sense, but enduring, memorable, and continuing through generations. Their disgrace became part of Israel’s history and testimony.
Reproach is shame, disgrace, dishonor, and public humiliation. The Philistines sought glory, but received reproach instead. Men who exalt themselves against God often pursue honor, greatness, and dominion, yet God turns their boasting into shame. Babylon became a reproach among the nations (Jeremiah 51:37). Edom became a perpetual desolation because of pride against God’s people (Obadiah 1:10). Those who resist the Lord may prosper briefly, but reproach follows rebellion.
This verse also reveals the difference between temporary success and true victory. The Philistines captured the ark and celebrated as conquerors, yet their triumph was short-lived. God often permits His enemies temporary advantage for His own purposes, but He never surrenders His throne. Wicked men frequently imagine the downfall of God’s people or the weakening of truth means God has failed, yet Scripture clearly shows the Lord rising in due time to defend His own name and glory.
The verse further teaches the danger of rejoicing against God’s people. The Philistines mocked Israel’s calamity and gloried in their distress, but God turned that triumph into shame. The enemies of the church have often repeated this same sin throughout history. Yet every persecuting power that exalted itself against God’s truth has eventually been brought low. Pagan Rome, false religion, proud rulers, and blaspheming nations have all discovered that God defends His own cause in His appointed time.
At the same time, this passage warns God’s people not to presume upon outward privileges while living in sin. Israel suffered greatly before God judged the Philistines because Israel itself had rebelled against the LORD (vv. 56-64). The ark did not protect a disobedient nation. God first chastened His own people before smiting their enemies. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
This verse therefore reveals both the holiness and dominion of God. He chastens His people for their sins, yet He also judges His enemies for their pride and blasphemy. He humbles the proud, exposes false gods, and turns worldly triumph into perpetual reproach. The Philistines learned that the God of Israel may permit affliction for a season, but He remains the living God Who smites His enemies and defends His glory.
And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.
Psalm 78 is a historical psalm recounting the repeated rebellion of Israel and the righteous dealings of God with His people and their enemies. The psalm moves through Israel’s unbelief, provocations, judgments, deliverances, and God’s continued faithfulness despite their sins. In this section, the ark of God had been taken by the Philistines because of Israel’s corruption and presumption (vv. 56-61; 1 Samuel 4:10-11). The enemies of God imagined they had triumphed over Jehovah Himself, but the Lord soon arose in judgment against them. Verse 66 describes God’s humiliating and shameful overthrow of the Philistines after they had captured the ark.
“And he smote.” The subject is God Himself. The Philistines may have imagined they conquered Israel by their own strength, yet the Lord remained sovereign over the battle and over its outcome. God had chastened Israel by allowing the ark to be taken, but He had not surrendered His own glory unto the heathen. Therefore, He arose to strike His enemies directly. The word “smote” speaks of divine judgment, power, and decisive overthrow. When God smites, no enemy can resist Him. Egypt was smitten with plagues (Exodus 12:29). Assyria was smitten in one night (2 Kings 19:35). The Philistines also learned that the God of Israel cannot be mocked.
“His enemies.” The Philistines were not only Israel’s enemies; they were God’s enemies. This is an important distinction. Their warfare against Israel was ultimately opposition against Jehovah and His worship. They rejoiced when the ark was captured and placed it in the house of Dagon as though their false god had triumphed over the living God (1 Samuel 5:1-2). But the Lord quickly demonstrated His supremacy by casting Dagon down before the ark and breaking him in pieces (1 Samuel 5:3-4). Men often think they oppose only God’s people, truth, or worship, but all rebellion against divine things is hostility against God Himself.
“In the hinder parts.” This phrase describes the shameful judgment God brought upon the Philistines. The historical account explains that the LORD smote the men of Ashdod and the surrounding cities with emerods or hemorrhoids, a humiliating bodily plague (1 Samuel 5:6,9,12). The phrase points to disgrace and dishonor rather than honorable warfare. God did not just defeat them outwardly; He humiliated them openly.
The judgment also exposed the impotence of idols. Dagon could not protect his worshippers. The false god lay fallen before the ark while the people themselves were smitten with shameful affliction. The Lord showed that the gods of the heathen are vanity and lies (Psalm 96:5). Men trust in false religion, human power, wealth, armies, wisdom, and earthly strength, yet God can abase them with ease.
This humiliation also matched their pride. The Philistines had gloried in the capture of the ark and imagined themselves victorious over Israel’s God. Therefore, the Lord answered them with reproach and shame. Scripture repeatedly shows God humbling the proud. Pharaoh was brought low before Egypt (Exodus 14:23-28). Nebuchadnezzar was driven from men until he acknowledged the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:32-37). Herod accepted divine honors and was smitten publicly by God (Acts 12:21-23). The Lord knows how to abase those who exalt themselves against Him.
“He put them.” The reproach came directly from God. The Philistines were not victims of chance, disease, or misfortune. Divine judgment rested upon them. The Lord actively brought them low before the nations. Scripture teaches that God not only exalts but also puts down according to His own will (Psalm 75:6-7). Nations rise and fall under His hand.
“To a perpetual reproach.” Their shame became lasting and memorable. The judgment upon the Philistines remained as a testimony of God’s power and wrath against His enemies. The word “perpetual” does not always mean absolutely endless in every sense, but enduring, memorable, and continuing through generations. Their disgrace became part of Israel’s history and testimony.
Reproach is shame, disgrace, dishonor, and public humiliation. The Philistines sought glory, but received reproach instead. Men who exalt themselves against God often pursue honor, greatness, and dominion, yet God turns their boasting into shame. Babylon became a reproach among the nations (Jeremiah 51:37). Edom became a perpetual desolation because of pride against God’s people (Obadiah 1:10). Those who resist the Lord may prosper briefly, but reproach follows rebellion.
This verse also reveals the difference between temporary success and true victory. The Philistines captured the ark and celebrated as conquerors, yet their triumph was short-lived. God often permits His enemies temporary advantage for His own purposes, but He never surrenders His throne. Wicked men frequently imagine the downfall of God’s people or the weakening of truth means God has failed, yet Scripture clearly shows the Lord rising in due time to defend His own name and glory.
The verse further teaches the danger of rejoicing against God’s people. The Philistines mocked Israel’s calamity and gloried in their distress, but God turned that triumph into shame. The enemies of the church have often repeated this same sin throughout history. Yet every persecuting power that exalted itself against God’s truth has eventually been brought low. Pagan Rome, false religion, proud rulers, and blaspheming nations have all discovered that God defends His own cause in His appointed time.
At the same time, this passage warns God’s people not to presume upon outward privileges while living in sin. Israel suffered greatly before God judged the Philistines because Israel itself had rebelled against the LORD (vv. 56-64). The ark did not protect a disobedient nation. God first chastened His own people before smiting their enemies. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17).
This verse therefore reveals both the holiness and dominion of God. He chastens His people for their sins, yet He also judges His enemies for their pride and blasphemy. He humbles the proud, exposes false gods, and turns worldly triumph into perpetual reproach. The Philistines learned that the God of Israel may permit affliction for a season, but He remains the living God Who smites His enemies and defends His glory.