Psalm 78:70

Psalm 78:70, in plain English

From among all the people, God specifically chose David—a simple shepherd boy—and called him to be His servant and king. This was an act of pure grace, not because David earned it.

Why it's here

David's background was humble. He was the youngest son, tending sheep while his older brothers were more prominent. Nobody expected him to become king. But God saw something in him—faithfulness, a worshiping heart, courage—and chose him anyway. This choice happened long before David was famous or powerful.

Who's speaking

Asaph, recounting how God selected David as His chosen king

Where it sits in the story

David is pivotal in the Bible's entire narrative. He becomes the king through whom the Messiah will eventually come. His reign stabilized Israel, defeated enemies, and established Jerusalem as the center of worship. But more importantly, David's line becomes the line of promise—'the Son of David' becomes one of the titles given to Jesus.

The scholarly reading

God selected David from his humble shepherd role and elevated him to kingship—an act of divine choice that fundamentally restructured Israel's covenant community around a single dynastic line.

Language and setting

The verb bāḥar (chose) parallels verse 68's choice of Judah, indicating that David's election is not personal caprice but covenant-structural necessity. The 'sheepfolds' (taʿarôt ṣō'n) deliberately echo David's humble origins (1 Samuel 16:11, where Samuel finds David tending sheep), establishing a theological pattern: God chooses the insignificant and elevates them. This reflects both historical memory and what scholars identify as the Deuteronomistic History's theological framework—that kingship arises not from dynastic right but from divine appointment conditioned on covenant faithfulness. The Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) becomes, in post-exilic reading, the engine of Israel's hope for restoration.

Voice

The Psalmist, now moving into what form-critical scholarship recognizes as the dynastic oracle section—theological assertion that God's choice of David ensures Zion's permanence and Israel's identity.

Significance

David's appointment from shepherd to king becomes the hermeneutical key for understanding the entire davidic monarchy. Later Messianic expectation rests on this foundation: if God could elevate an unknown shepherd to kingship, could He not appoint an ideal David figure to rule in the eschaton? Christian theology identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of this Davidic election.

68But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.

69He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever.

70He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;

71from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.

72So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.

Read all of Psalm 78 — The longest historical psalm — a retelling of Israel's journey from Egypt to David. Remember, so the next generation won't forget.