Study the history of the children of Israel and you will see a pattern emerge. The psalmist sees a pattern in the story of the children of Isreal.

He begins with a long distance view and sees the hand of God in the past. God blessed His people with favour. Crops grew. The economy was strong. Peace reigned in the land. But in experiencing plenty, the Israelites forgot God. They slowly drifted away from his righteous ways and fell into sin – often heinous sin.