Psalms 78:9 - Exposition

The children of Ephraim (comp. Psalms 78:67 ). Ephraim was the leading tribe, from the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses until the establishment of Saul as king. Hence the tabernacle was set up within the territory of Ephraim ( Joshua 18:1 ). The importance of Ephraim appears in 3:27 ; 7:24 ; 8:1 , 8:2 ; 10:9 ; 12:1-6 . Being armed , and carrying bows. There is no "and" in the original. "Carrying bows" is exegetical of "being armed". Turned back in the day of battle. The allusion is not to any one particular occasion, but to the ill success of Israel under the leadership of Ephraim during the whole period of the Judges (see 2:14 ; 3:8 , 3:13 , 3:31 ; 4:2 ; 6:1 ; 10:7 , 10:12 , etc.).