Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-38

Our responsorial psalm comes from Psalm 78, a long reflection on Israel’s history of sin and God’s enduring mercy. Even when the people turned away and suffered the consequences, the Lord remained compassionate, forgiving their faults and not destroying them.

This is a fitting theme for today’s feast as we contemplate the mercy and salvation extended to us through the Cross of Christ.

Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter mysteries from of old.

The psalmist begins with a solemn summons to listen. Each phrase highlights the weight of his message:

• “My teaching” is the Hebrew tôrâ, meaning instruction or law, a word often linked with God’s revealed wisdom. Here it signals that what follows is not human reflection but divine instruction.
• “Parable” (mashāl)points to a teaching that engages the imagination and calls for reflection, rather than mere information.
• “Mysteries from of old” (hîdâ) suggests profound truths expressed in riddles or enigmas, inviting deeper contemplation of God’s saving work in history.

Our responsorial moves from these introductory verses to verse 34. The omitted verses offer a historical narrative of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, highlighting their repeated acts of disobedience and God’s unwavering faithfulness.

This backdrop sets the stage for the verses we hear proclaimed.

While he slew them they sought him and inquired after God again, remembering that God was their rock and the Most High God, their redeemer. 

The psalmist describes a pattern of the Israelite’s behavior: rebellion, chastisement, then a return to God under duress. Affliction prompted them to remember that God alone was their refuge and redeemer.

The phrasing highlights that the Israelites turned to God only after they had been severely punished, when their very survival was at stake.

But they flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues, though their hearts were not steadfast toward him, nor were they faithful to his covenant.

The people are depicted as flatterers, using insincere praise and dishonesty in their interactions with God. Notice how he calls out the fact that the people’s disobedience was not merely outward but also a matter of the heart.

The Hebrew terms underscore the gravity of this betrayal: ’ēmūn (steadfast faithfulness) and bĕriyth (covenant) evoke the steadfast loyalty God desired, which the people failed to uphold.

The psalmist is pointing out that God upheld the integrity of their covenant bond even when the people did not.

But he, being merciful, forgave their sin and destroyed them not; often he turned back his anger and let none of his wrath be roused.

Against this backdrop of human infidelity, God’s mercy shines all the brighter. In his mercy (rahûm), he forgives them.

Being their creator, God had every right to take their lives, but instead, he repeatedly restrained his divine wrath and imposed punishment to purify them.

The depth of God’s patience and mercy is unfathomable.