Timing of Psalm 78

You might be wondering, like me, if Psalm 78 really fits under the category "Psalms of a Nation Restored," referring to the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. This is because it's a psalm of Asaph, who lived at the time of King David, and the content of the psalm only goes so far in history as the time of David. On this topic the People's Bible says, "Psalm 78 was apparently written to celebrate the establishment of David's dynasty in Jerusalem because this event led to the building of the temple. Late in Israel's history, this psalm would serve a double purpose. During the years of idolatry and rebellion in the divided kingdom, it would stand as a warning against repeating the folly of the wilderness years and the time of the judges. Then during the captivity, it would offer a ray of hope by reminding the Israelites that one of the brightest moments in their past had arisen out of the depths of disaster and that history could repeat itself."