Psalms 78:36-37
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)
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It's easy to read this as simply saying they were insincere. But notice the word "flattered." This implies they were trying to manipulate God, as if He could be fooled by smooth words and empty promises, mistaking their spoken vows for genuine devotion and expecting to "win Him over" with their lips rather than their hearts.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's faithfulness met with human unfaithfulness. Even after experiencing God's miraculous interventions, like their ancestors' escape from Egypt or provision in the wilderness, the people repeatedly turned away. This verse specifically addresses their superficial repentance, where they spoke words of loyalty and commitment to God but lacked genuine heart devotion.
Ever feel like you're saying the right things but not really meaning them? This verse digs into that very human tendency.
The people in Psalm 78 weren't just making empty promises; they were actively trying to flatter God. This word suggests a kind of persuasive, smooth-talking approach, almost like trying to charm or trick someone. They used their words to present a false image of devotion.
Lip Service
It's a sobering thought: people can 'flatter' God. They might offer prayers, make vows, or express gratitude, but if their hearts aren't truly engaged, it's just noise. This isn't about God being fooled; He knows our hearts. Instead, it reveals our condition – our attempt to manipulate or appease Him without genuine change.
The Danger of Insincerity
This kind of flattery is ultimately a lie. It’s a performance, not a relationship. The psalmist calls it 'lying with their tongues,' highlighting the disconnect between spoken words and inner reality. This hollow devotion is worse than silence because it masquerades as truth.
What truly matters to God? It’s not just about what we say, but the posture of our entire being.
The core issue in Psalm 78:36 isn't the words themselves, but the intention behind them. Commentators point out that their 'heart was not right' and they were not 'faithful in his covenant.' This reveals that true faith isn't just about vocalizing belief; it’s about the internal disposition.
Beyond Mere Words
God desires a genuine connection, a heart that is steadfast and committed. When our words of commitment don't align with our inner desires and actions, we are, in effect, lying to Him. It's like saying 'I love you' while your actions demonstrate indifference or even opposition.
The Foundation of Covenant
The psalm contrasts their deceptive words with God’s enduring covenant. Their 'flattery' was a betrayal of that covenant, a failure to be truly faithful. This shows that true worship and obedience stem from a heart that understands and values God’s promises and our commitment to Him.
Understand the original words
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 persistent unfaithfulness, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and the subsequent period before and after the establishment of the monarchy. It highlights how generations repeated patterns of sin, offering God lip service while their hearts remained distant. The verse directly addresses this hypocrisy, showing that even in times of judgment or hardship, their repentance was often shallow, driven by fear rather than genuine love and trust.
~1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, a foundational event demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
c. 1440-1400 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
After the Exodus, the Israelites journey through the desert. Despite God's provision and guidance, they repeatedly grumble, rebel, and fail to trust Him.
c. 1400 BC
Entry into Canaan
After 40 years, the Israelites finally enter the Promised Land, but their history of disobedience continues.
c. 1000 BC
Reign of King David
David establishes a strong kingdom and Jerusalem as the religious center, a time of relative peace and prosperity but also a reminder of past failures.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Psalm 78:36, highlighting how even those closest to God, like family members, can deceive and betray with their words.
Isaiah 29:13Similar to the people in Psalm 78, this verse from Isaiah criticizes those who draw near to God with their mouths and honor Him with their lips, but whose hearts are far away, revealing a superficial worship.
Matthew 23:27-28Jesus uses a similar image of outward appearance versus inner reality when rebuking the Pharisees, calling them 'whitewashed tombs' that look beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness—a strong parallel to the lip-service described in Psalm 78:36.
Hosea 7:11This verse describes Israel crying out to God, yet it's portrayed as a lie, showing how their pleas were not sincere and that they were not truly turning to Him, mirroring the deceptive flattery of Psalm 78:36.
clarkePsalms 78:36: "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues."
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth - What idea could such people have of God, whom they supposed they could thus deceive? They promised well, they called him their God, and their fathers' God; and told him how good, and kind, and merciful he had been to them. Thus, their mouth flattered him. And they said that, whatever the Lord their God commanded them to do, they woul…
pulpitPsalms 78:36: "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues."
Verse 36. - Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth. The Revised Version is simpler and better, But they flattered him with their mouth. All that they said or did when alarmed by some judgment of God's was a mere pretence - an attempt to "flatter" and cozen God, and so win his favour. And they lied unto him with their tongues. They offered him a lip service, which was a "lie…
It's easy to read this as simply saying they were insincere. But notice the word "flattered." This implies they were trying to manipulate God, as if He could be fooled by smooth words and empty promises, mistaking their spoken vows for genuine devotion and expecting to "win Him over" with their lips rather than their hearts.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's faithfulness met with human unfaithfulness. Even after experiencing God's miraculous interventions, like their ancestors' escape from Egypt or provision in the wilderness, the people repeatedly turned away. This verse specifically addresses their superficial repentance, where they spoke words of loyalty and commitment to God but lacked genuine heart devotion.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's faithfulness met with human unfaithfulness. Even after experiencing God's miraculous interventions, like their ancestors' escape from Egypt or provision in the wilderness, the people repeatedly turned away. This verse specifically addresses their superficial repentance, where they spoke words of loyalty and commitment to God but lacked genuine heart devotion.
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c. 975 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to further spiritual decline.
"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." — It's easy to read this as simply saying they were insincere. But notice the word "flattered." This implies they were trying to manipulate God, as if He could be fooled by smooth words and empty promi…
