Psalm 78:36-37
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This verse highlights a crucial distinction: their mouths offered flattery and professions of loyalty, but their tongues spoke outright lies. It wasn't just a failure to keep promises; it was a conscious, deceitful deception, attempting to trick God Himself.
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 psalm is a historical lesson, tracing Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God despite His amazing acts of salvation. The psalmist recounts how, even when facing God's judgments, the people offered insincere apologies and empty promises, not truly changing their hearts or their ways. This pattern of superficial repentance followed by a return to disobedience is highlighted, setting the stage for the verse's stark portrayal of their deceit.
Have you ever said something you didn't mean just to smooth things over? The people in this psalm did just that, but with the Almighty.
The people in Psalm 78 were in trouble. God had sent judgments, and their response was to make grand promises and declarations of loyalty. But it wasn't genuine.
A Hollow Confession
Notice the words used: "flattered him with their mouth" and "lied to him with their tongues." This wasn't just insincere speech; it was an active attempt to deceive God. They said they loved Him and would obey Him, but their hearts were far from it.
Think about it: Why would they think they could fool God? It shows a deep misunderstanding of who God is – He knows the heart. Their words were a pretense, a way to try and get out of trouble without actually changing their ways. It's like saying 'I'm sorry' only because you got caught, not because you regret what you did.
What does it mean for your heart to not be 'right' with God? This psalm gets straight to the core of true faith.
The Psalm doesn't just condemn false words; it points to the root problem: a disingenuous heart. Verse 37 directly states, 'their heart was not right before him, neither were they faithful in his covenant.'
The Real Issue
This is the crucial point. Their flattery and lies weren't just bad speaking habits; they were symptoms of a deeper issue. Their heart wasn't aligned with God's will or His promises. They were treating their relationship with God like a business deal – say the right things to get what you want, then go back to your old ways.
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True faith isn't about saying the right words; it's about the heart's posture towards God. It's about a genuine commitment to His covenant, His ways, and His truth, even when it's difficult or when the immediate danger has passed.
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 recurring pattern of unfaithfulness, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and the period of the Judges, highlighting how their outward religious expressions often masked an inner rebellion against God.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wander in the desert for 40 years, experiencing God's provision and their own rebellion.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1406-1046 BC
Period of the Judges
A time of cyclical apostasy, oppression, and deliverance as Israel struggles to remain faithful in the Promised Land.
c. 1046 BC
Establishment of the Monarchy
Saul is anointed as the first king, followed by David, marking a new era for Israel.
This passage highlights the same theme of outward religious observance and promises that don't match inward reality, showing how God saw through Israel's insincere actions.
Isaiah 29:13This verse directly parallels the idea of people honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, illustrating the emptiness of superficial worship.
Hosea 6:4Here, God expresses His frustration with a similar kind of unfaithfulness, comparing Israel's devotion to morning mist that quickly vanishes, much like the psalmist's description of hollow promises.
Matthew 15:8Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 in this New Testament passage, showing that this issue of 'lip service' versus genuine heart devotion is a recurring problem that Jesus also confronted.
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…
This verse highlights a crucial distinction: their mouths offered flattery and professions of loyalty, but their tongues spoke outright lies. It wasn't just a failure to keep promises; it was a conscious, deceitful deception, attempting to trick God Himself.
This psalm is a historical lesson, tracing Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God despite His amazing acts of salvation. The psalmist recounts how, even when facing God's judgments, the people offered insincere apologies and empty promises, not truly changing their hearts or their ways. This pattern of superficial repentance followed by a return to disobedience is highlighted, setting the stage for the verse's stark portrayal of their deceit.
This psalm is a historical lesson, tracing Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God despite His amazing acts of salvation. The psalmist recounts how, even when facing God's judgments, the people offered insincere apologies and empty promises, not truly changing their hearts or their ways. This pattern of superficial repentance followed by a return to disobedience is highlighted, setting the stage for the verse's stark portrayal of their deceit.
"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." — This verse highlights a crucial distinction: their mouths offered flattery and professions of loyalty, but their tongues spoke outright lies. It wasn't just a failure to keep promises; it was a consc…
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Last reviewed October 2026
