Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
Psalms 78:4: "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done."
This verse intensifies the generational transmission theme with explicit commitment: not hiding God’s deeds from children, but actively teaching them about God’s praises, strength, and wonders. The call to “show” the generation to come is a pedagogy of proclamation, exemplary living, and communal memory. The emphasis on public testimony aligns with Israel’s covenantal culture where worship, retelling, and ritual acts kept God’s works in vivid view. The verse functions as a programmatic statement for parents, elders, and leaders to steward spiritual formation across generations. It also highlights the communal responsibility of worship and evangelism: faith must be witnessed, not kept private. The historical backdrop includes cycles of forgetfulness and renewal, with this verse offering a proactive path to restore fidelity by making God’s deeds visible to the youngest hearers.
Theologically, this verse foregrounds God’s works as communal assets to be celebrated and communicated. It affirms that the strength and wonders of God are not exclusive to a single generation but are to be entrusted to future ones. The act of teaching praises and deeds becomes a form of worship, shaping a people who recognize God’s sovereignty and goodness. It also implies moral formation—knowing God’s strength is meant to lead to trust, obedience, and courage in the face of life’s challenges. The verse ties memory to mission: remembering God’s acts compels the community to declare and demonstrate God’s glory.
Practically, this invites parents, educators, and church leaders to craft intentional intergenerational teaching. Examples: family devotions that include storytelling of God’s faithfulness, public testimonies in services, children’s catechism focusing on who God is, and service projects that reveal God’s strength in action. Create spaces where children can ask questions about God’s works and see them lived out in adults. In households, display stories of answered prayers or rescues; in congregations, publish testimonies and teach about God’s attributes—praises, strength, wonders—so the younger generation inherits not just beliefs but a living, expectant faith.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 4:9; Psalm 145:4; Joel 1:3; Psalm 22:30-31; Exodus 12:26-27