Psalms 78:55 Meaning: The God Who Gives His People a Home
He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
He drove out the nations also before them, And allotted them for an inheritance by line, And made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
And casteth out nations from before them, And causeth them to fall in the line of inheritance, And causeth the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents,
And he drove out the nations before them, and allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 78:55 summarizes God’s faithful acts: driving out nations, allotting the land, and settling Israel. See how this verse teaches trust in God’s provision.
Context
Psalm 78 is a long history lesson set to music. The writer, identified as Asaph, walks through Israel’s story from Egypt to the time of David. He wants every generation to remember what God has done and not repeat the mistakes of their ancestors.
By verse 55 the story has reached a high point. God has brought the people through the wilderness and into the land He promised. Three actions sum up His work: He pushed out the nations who lived there, He measured out the land as a permanent gift, and He settled the tribes so they could finally rest. Everything Israel needed to thrive came from His hand, not their own strength. What follows in the next verses shows how quickly they forgot that.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for drove out (ga.rash) is strong and physical, like pushing an intruder out the door. God did not just step aside and let Israel find their own way. He cleared the space Himself.
The word for inheritance (na.cha.lah) means a possession passed down through generations. This was not a rental or a temporary camp. It was a permanent gift, measured out with a measuring line (che.vel), as careful as a surveyor marking a building plot.
The verb made to dwell (sha.khan) is the same root used for the tabernacle where God Himself lived among them. God caused the tribes to settle down, to put down roots. The word for tents (o.hel) recalls their years of wandering, but now those tents held homes they did not build. The point is clear: every detail of their new life came from a God who does things on purpose.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions focus on different parts of this verse, but all see God’s active hand. Reformed readers, following Calvin, emphasize God’s sovereign initiative: He drove out, He allotted, He settled. Catholic commentators place the verse within the larger story of salvation, where God prepares a place for His people step by step. Evangelical readers often notice the precise details, the measuring line, the tents, as signs that God cares about the ordinary parts of life. All agree that this verse shows God acting for His people, not because they deserved it, but because He keeps His promises.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers picture Israel still living in flimsy tents after entering Canaan. In fact, the word tents here refers to the homes the displaced nations left behind, houses they did not build, cities they did not construct (Deuteronomy 6:10-11). The word echoes their recent wilderness life, but the reality was settled comfort. God gave them a fully furnished land.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to notice what God has already cleared and given in your own life. Maybe that is a job you did not earn, a friendship that came at the right time, or a place where you finally feel at home. None of that is luck. It is the same hand that measured the land and settled the tribes.
This week, look back at one way God has made room for you. Thank Him for it. Then trust that He is still at work, clearing what needs to be cleared and settling you where you belong.
Main takeaway: God drives out what stands against us, measures out a gift, and settles us right where He wants us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God helped His people find a new home. He pushed away the people who were in the way and gave them a nice place to live. God takes care of us and gives us what we need.
For ages 9, 12
When the Israelites finally reached the land God promised, they did not have to fight for every inch by themselves. God cleared the way. He even measured out each tribe's piece of land so everyone got exactly what they needed. Then He settled them in towns and houses that were already built. This shows God pays attention to little details. He does not just give a big promise and walk away, He works out the small stuff too. Next time you feel like you do not belong, remember that God is good at making room for His people.
Questions People Ask
What does 'allotted them for an inheritance by line' mean?
It refers to the precise surveying and distribution of the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes, as described in Joshua 13-19. The 'line' is a measuring line used to mark boundaries. This shows God's careful provision, He did not just give the land vaguely; He assigned specific portions to each tribe as a permanent inheritance.
Why does the verse mention 'tents' if they were settling in the land?
The word 'tents' might seem odd since they were settling in a land with cities. But 'tents' likely refers to the dwellings left behind by the displaced nations (see Gill's Exposition). It also echoes their recent nomadic life in the wilderness, emphasizing the transition from wandering to settlement. Some translations say 'tabernacles' (Geneva Bible), and the Hebrew word (ohel) can also refer to the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place.
Who are the 'nations' that were driven out?
They are the seven Canaanite nations listed in Deuteronomy 7:1: Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The Hebrew word 'goyim' simply means 'nations' without necessarily implying 'pagan' (Barnes). God used Israel to judge these nations and give the land to His people.
How does this verse fit into the overall message of Psalm 78?
Psalm 78 is a history lesson. It recounts God's miracles for Israel, from Egypt to the wilderness to the land, and then contrasts it with Israel's repeated rebellion. Verse 55 is a high point of God's faithful action: He drove out enemies, gave the inheritance, and settled them. But verses 56-58 immediately show Israel turning to idols. So the verse sets up the tragedy: God gave everything, yet they forgot Him.
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