Psalm 78:34-37
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even in their moment of seeking God, it wasn't a deep, heart-level turning. The text implies their repentance was superficial, a quick about-face driven by fear, not a true change of heart, and the urgency of their "seeking" was just to escape immediate danger.
When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes as Asaph recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust God, even after witnessing His mighty acts. Following descriptions of God's provision and Israel's sinful lust and rebellion, this verse highlights a pattern: calamity leads to a temporary, superficial turn towards God, which quickly fades once the danger passes. The psalm emphasizes that true faithfulness means more than just seeking God when things are dire.
Ever notice how people suddenly get very spiritual when things go south? Psalms 78 points out this all-too-human tendency.
This verse highlights a pattern in Israel's history: when God's judgment was upon them – when people were dying or facing imminent danger – they would turn to God. This wasn't necessarily a deep, abiding faith, but a desperate, crisis-driven reaction.
This isn't to say that turning to God in crisis is wrong; it's a necessary first step! But the danger lies in letting that crisis faith fade when the danger passes.
The verse says they 'inquired early after God.' What does that 'early' really mean in this context?
The phrase 'inquired early' (or 'hastened early') suggests promptness. When faced with God's judgment, Israel didn't wait long to try and appease Him. They acted quickly.
Ask a follow-up
It's like a patient taking a painkiller for a broken bone – it offers immediate relief but doesn't address the underlying fracture. Israel's 'early' seeking provided a temporary reprieve but didn't heal their fundamental unfaithfulness.
Understand the original words
shub · Hebrew Verb
A profound inner change of mind and heart that leads to a turning away from sin and a turning toward God; it involves both sorrow for transgression and a commitment to seek Him.
tsur · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor describing God as a place of refuge, stability, and unshakeable strength for His people; He is the immovable foundation upon which their lives depend.
Elyon · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A title for God emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and transcendence over all creation and all other powers.
ga'al · Hebrew Noun (participle)
One who rescues another from bondage, debt, or death by paying the necessary price or exerting power; biblically, God is the ultimate Deliverer who buys back His people for Himself.
pathah · Hebrew Verb
To express insincere praise or admiration, often with ulterior motives or deceptive intent, lacking true commitment or loyalty.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
The innermost part of a person; the seat of the will, intellect, emotions, and moral decision-making. In a biblical context, it is the center of human identity and the source of one's spiritual orientation toward or away from God.
nakon · Hebrew Adjective
Firmly fixed, established, or reliable; a state of being unswervingly devoted or constant in purpose and allegiance.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or formal promise between God and His people, involving mutual obligations, blessings, and consequences rooted in God's grace and faithfulness.
This psalm reflects on Israel's consistent pattern of turning to God only when facing disaster, a repentance that is often superficial and short-lived. The historical context of their repeated cycles of rebellion and temporary remorse in the wilderness and later, highlights the psalmist's urgent message about the need for genuine, lasting faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational event in their national identity and relationship with God.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
After the Exodus, the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This period is marked by God's provision and Israel's repeated rebellion.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, finally enter and begin to conquer Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to their ancestors.
c. 1047-1000 BC
David's Reign and Jerusalem as Capital
David establishes a unified kingdom and makes Jerusalem its capital, a period of national strength and religious significance.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to further spiritual decline in both.
This passage describes the Israelites' reaction to God's judgment, mirroring Psalm 78:34 where their seeking of God intensified after facing His wrath.
Numbers 14:39-45This account shows the Israelites attempting to enter the Promised Land after being condemned, only to be struck down, illustrating the pattern of seeking God only when facing severe consequences.
Hosea 5:15This verse describes a similar superficial seeking of God in affliction, highlighting the transient nature of their repentance as seen in Psalm 78:34.
Luke 15:11-24The parable of the prodigal son illustrates a pattern of returning to a father figure only when in dire straits, much like the Israelites in Psalm 78:34 who sought God only after experiencing His judgments.
clarkePsalms 78:34: "When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God."
When he slew them - While his judgments were upon them, then they began to humble themselves, and deprecate his wrath. When they saw some fall, the rest began to tremble.
pulpitPsalms 78:34: "When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God."
Verse 34. - When he slew them, then they sought him (comp. Exodus 32:28, 35; Exodus 33:4, 10; Numbers 11:33; Numbers 16:48, 49, etc.). The repentance is not always noticed in the Mosaic narrative, being, as it was, short-lived, if not even feigned (ver. 36). But, no doubt, after each outpouring of the Divine vengeance, there was at least some show of repentance, as noted in Exodus 33:4. And…
Even in their moment of seeking God, it wasn't a deep, heart-level turning. The text implies their repentance was superficial, a quick about-face driven by fear, not a true change of heart, and the urgency of their "seeking" was just to escape immediate danger.
This passage comes as Asaph recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust God, even after witnessing His mighty acts. Following descriptions of God's provision and Israel's sinful lust and rebellion, this verse highlights a pattern: calamity leads to a temporary, superficial turn towards God, which quickly fades once the danger passes. The psalm emphasizes that true faithfulness means more than just seeking God when things are dire.
This passage comes as Asaph recounts Israel's repeated failures to trust God, even after witnessing His mighty acts. Following descriptions of God's provision and Israel's sinful lust and rebellion, this verse highlights a pattern: calamity leads to a temporary, superficial turn towards God, which quickly fades once the danger passes. The psalm emphasizes that true faithfulness means more than just seeking God when things are dire.
"When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him wit…" — Even in their moment of seeking God, it wasn't a deep, heart-level turning. The text implies their repentance was superficial, a quick about-face driven by fear, not a true change of heart, and the u…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
