Psalm 78: Raising the Next Generation

Psalms 78

1Give ear, O my people, to my law;

Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings of old,

3Which we have heard and known,

And our fathers have told us.

4We will not hide them from their children,

Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

5For He established a testimony in Jacob,

And appointed a law in Israel,

Which He commanded our fathers,

That they should make them known to their children;

6That the generation to come might know them,

The children who would be born,

That they may arise and declare them to their children,

7That they may set their hope in God,

And not forget the works of God,

But keep His commandments.

Psalm 78 reminds us that every generation has a sacred duty—to pass on the knowledge of God and His mighty works so that the next generation will set their hope in Him. As parents, teachers, and mentors, we are entrusted with shaping young lives, not just for success, but for significance.

Imitate: Children learn more from what they see than from what they hear. From their earliest years, they absorb patterns of speech, habits, and values by watching adults. Therefore, our words, actions, and priorities become living lessons for them to imitate. As parents and mentors, we must first imitate Christ so that they can safely follow our example.

Ephesians 5:1–2 (NIV):

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.”

Influence: As they grow, children face countless influences—parents, peers, teachers, and the internet. Each of these can either build or break them. Our role is to help them discern wisely and choose influences that nurture their faith, character, and purpose.The company and influences children keep will shape their destiny; guiding them toward godly influences helps them make wise choices.

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV):

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Intreat: Prayer must be at the heart of parenting. When we pray for and with our children, we invite God’s wisdom and grace into their lives. Raising a child is not a solo task—it is a divine partnership with God who alone can shape their hearts. Like Hannah, we must partner with God through prayer, entrusting our children to His care and purpose.

1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NIV):

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord.”

Interest: In a world of endless attractions, maintaining connection is vital. Understanding our children’s interests and engaging meaningfully with them keeps communication alive and relationships strong through the teenage and youth years.

Philippians 2:4 (NIV):

“Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Invest: Raising children requires intentional investment—of time, energy, and love. When both generations choose to invest in each other, families grow stronger despite the busyness of modern life.Investing consistent time and spiritual teaching shapes lifelong faith and values.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV):

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Inheritance: Finally, what we sow today becomes tomorrow’s inheritance. When we sow faith, integrity, and love, our children inherit a legacy far richer than wealth—one that empowers them to live godly, fruitful lives and impact the world for good.

Proverbs 13:22 (NIV):

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.”

“Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” – Psalm 78:7

१. अनुकरण (Imitate) – सिकाइको आधार उदाहरण हो

इफिसी ५:१–२:

“यस कारण तिमीहरूले परमेश्वरका प्रिय सन्तानका रूपमा उहाँको अनुकरण गर्ने मानिसहरू बन। र प्रेममा चल, जसरी ख्रीष्टले तिमीहरूलाई प्रेम गर्नुभयो र हाम्रो निम्ति आफैंलाई अर्पण गर्नुभयो।”

 बच्चाहरू हेरेर सिक्छन्; त्यसैले आमाबाबु र अगुवाहरूले ख्रीष्टको जीवनको अनुकरण गर्नुपर्छ ताकि उनीहरूले हाम्रो जीवनबाट सिकून्।

२. प्रभाव (Influence) – सही आवाज छान्ने कला

हितोपदेश १३:२०:

“जो बुद्धिमानका साथ हिँड्छ, ऊ बुद्धिमान बन्छ; तर मूर्खहरूको सङ्गत गर्ने नाश हुन्छ।”

बच्चाहरूको वरिपरिको प्रभाव—माता-पिता, साथी, शिक्षक वा इन्टरनेट—ले उनीहरूको बाटो निर्धारण गर्छ। तिनीहरूलाई सही प्रभाव छनोट गर्न सिकाउनुपर्छ।

३. इन्त्रीट (Intreat) – सन्तानका लागि प्रार्थना

१ शमूएल १:२७–२८:

“मैले यो बालकका लागि प्रार्थना गरेकी थिएँ, र परमप्रभुले मेरो माग सुन्नुभयो। त्यसकारण म उहाँलाई परमप्रभुलाई अर्पण गर्छु।”

हन्नाजस्तै, हामीले पनि प्रार्थनाद्वारा हाम्रा सन्तानलाई परमेश्वरको हातमा सुम्पिनुपर्छ। अभिभावकत्व एक दिव्य साझेदारी हो।

४. रुचि (Interest) – सम्बन्धमा जोड कायम राख्ने

फिलिप्पी २:४:

“हरेक जनाले केवल आफ्नै हित होइन, अरूको हित पनि हेरोस्।”

हाम्रा बालबालिकाका रुचि, सपना र संघर्ष बुझ्दा तिनीहरू हामीसँग नजिक रहन्छन्, र सम्बन्धमा आत्मीयता रहिरहन्छ।

५. लगानी (Invest) – समय, ऊर्जा र माया

व्यवस्था विवरण ६:६–७:

“यी आज म तिमीहरूलाई दिएको आज्ञाहरू तिमीहरूको हृदयमा रहून्। तिनीहरूलाई तिमीहरूले आफ्ना सन्तानहरूलाई सिकाऊ; घरमा बस्दा, बाटोमा हिंड्दा, सुत्दा र उठ्दा तिनीहरूको कुरा गर।”

 निरन्तर शिक्षण र समयको लगानीले विश्वास र चरित्रको गहिरो जग बसाउँछ।

६. उत्तराधिकार (Inheritance) – स्थायी सम्पत्ति र वंश

हितोपदेश १३:२२:

“एक असल मानिसले आफ्नो सन्तानका सन्तानहरूका निम्ति उत्तराधिकार छोड्छ।”

साँचो सम्पत्ति पैसा होइन; तर विश्वास, बुद्धि, र सद्गुण हुन्—जुन पुस्तौंदेखि पुस्तामा सर्ने आशीष हो।