Psalms 78:37
Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that outward actions, like seeking God or confessing sin, are meaningless if the heart isn't truly aligned with Him. The problem wasn't their actions alone, but that their inner disposition—their heart—wasn't "right" or "steadfast," revealing a deeper disconnect from God and His promises.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures despite God's incredible faithfulness. After detailing God's mighty acts in the wilderness and the people's constant grumbling and sin, the psalmist highlights their superficial repentance. Though they would cry out to God in their distress, their hearts remained far from Him, a pattern that continued even after experiencing His deliverance.
We might say the right words, make big promises, and even go through the motions of devotion. But what's really going on inside?
This verse cuts to the core of genuine faith. The Psalmist isn't just talking about outward actions; he's pointing to the internal disposition.
Where True Worship Resides
God looks at the heart. When Psalm 78:37 says, 'Their heart was not right with him,' it means their inner being wasn't aligned with God. It wasn't 'prepared' or 'fitted' for true devotion.
The Consequence of a Wrong Heart
A heart that isn't rightly oriented towards God leads to outward unfaithfulness. As commentaries highlight, when the heart is wrong, the life follows. This disconnect between profession and reality is a major theme in Israel's history, and it's a challenge for us today.
Covenants are serious business, built on promises. What happens when those promises are routinely broken by one party?
The second half of the verse addresses the outcome of an unaligned heart: failure to keep God's covenant.
The Covenant's Call
God established a covenant with Israel, a binding agreement outlining their relationship and His promises. Being 'steadfast in his covenant' meant remaining loyal, faithful, and obedient to its terms.
The Cycle of Faithlessness
However, Israel repeatedly failed. They were not 'steadfast'—not firm, stable, or unwavering in their commitment. This wasn't a one-time lapse but a pattern of behavior, a profound unfaithfulness that led to consequences throughout their history. The psalm uses this history to warn against repeating their mistakes.
Understand the original words
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 history, highlighting a recurring pattern of God's faithfulness met by human unfaithfulness, particularly during the wilderness wanderings and subsequent periods. The verse's lament over a 'not right' heart and unsteadfastness points to the deep-seated tendency to turn away from God even after experiencing His powerful acts.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, parting the Red Sea for them to cross.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites journey through the Sinai desert for 40 years, experiencing God's provision (manna, water from the rock) and their own repeated disobedience and rebellion.
c. 1406 BC
Entry into Canaan
After 40 years, the Israelites finally enter the Promised Land, beginning the period of the Judges.
c. 1010 BC
David becomes King
David is established as the sole king over all Israel, uniting the tribes and establishing Jerusalem as the capital.
This passage echoes the theme of a faithless people, highlighting how spiritual adultery and a lack of steadfastness in God's covenant lead to judgment, mirroring the unfaithfulness described in Psalm 78.
Hosea 6:4This verse directly critiques a love and devotion that is fleeting and superficial, much like the people's 'heart was not right with him,' showing how outward expressions of faith without inner commitment are unacceptable to God.
Hebrews 8:8-9This New Testament passage references God's disappointment with His people's failure to uphold the covenant, drawing a parallel to Psalm 78's description of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness despite God's faithfulness.
John 15:4-5Jesus' teaching on abiding in Him is a profound contrast to the lack of steadfastness in Psalm 78:37, emphasizing that true fruitfulness and faithfulness flow only from a deep, abiding connection with God.
clarkePsalms 78:37: "For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant."
Their heart was not right - When the heart is wrong, the life is wrong; and because their heart was not right with God, therefore they were not faithful in his covenant.
pulpitPsalms 78:37: "For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant."
Verse 37. - For their heart was not right with him. It is the worship of the heart alone which God values (see Deuteronomy 10:12; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 23:26, etc.). If the heart be not "right with God," our worship is an offence to him. Neither were they steadfast in his covenant (comp. ver. 8).
This verse highlights that outward actions, like seeking God or confessing sin, are meaningless if the heart isn't truly aligned with Him. The problem wasn't their actions alone, but that their inner disposition—their heart—wasn't "right" or "steadfast," revealing a deeper disconnect from God and His promises.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures despite God's incredible faithfulness. After detailing God's mighty acts in the wilderness and the people's constant grumbling and sin, the psalmist highlights their superficial repentance. Though they would cry out to God in their distress, their hearts remained far from Him, a pattern that continued even after experiencing His deliverance.
This psalm is a historical lesson, recounting Israel's repeated failures despite God's incredible faithfulness. After detailing God's mighty acts in the wilderness and the people's constant grumbling and sin, the psalmist highlights their superficial repentance. Though they would cry out to God in their distress, their hearts remained far from Him, a pattern that continued even after experiencing His deliverance.
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"Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant." — This verse highlights that outward actions, like seeking God or confessing sin, are meaningless if the heart isn't truly aligned with Him. The problem wasn't their actions alone, but that their inner…
