In Psalm 78:4, 7-8, we have a surprising chain of thoughts that teach us a valuable lesson in life. The point is that unless we live with a heart full of the praises of God we will end up becoming stubborn. How does this happen. This is a history psalm where the history of Israel is surveyed and lessons to be learned from it are noted. As the history of Israel was surveyed the Psalmist counseled the present generation to teach their children the praises of God. The children of Israel in the wilderness forgot God when they were doing well and did not continue praising and thanking Him. They did not set their hope in God and look for Him when problems arose. Like many of us, when times got tough they became stubborn. In a sense we are all strong willed children—we find it hard at times to submit to God’s sovereignty when it involves going through trials to help us grow. We want the easy way out. Instead of continuing on the road to stubbornness, we need to live daily in a spirit of thanksgiving and praise to God. Then we will look to Him in hope of His deliverance when difficulties arise. This is the way to roadblock the downward slide to self-willed, sulking stubbornness. There is no joy or peace in such a heart condition. To live in God’s praises is to enjoy communion with God. This is truly the only blessed life. To summarize: We need to learn to live in praise to God (with a thankful heart and an appreciative attitude toward what God is doing in our lives). This is to keep us from losing hope and becoming stubborn. (When we have nothing to look forward to from God, we get very self-willed and stubborn and don't trust God to help us. Thus we lose our peace.) So let us live with a thankful attitude. Let us hope and take heart in God's goodness and grace toward us.