What does Psalm 78:36 reveal about the Israelites' relationship with God? The Verse at a Glance “But they flattered Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.” (Psalm 78:36) Setting the Scene • Psalm 78 recounts Israel’s history, highlighting God’s steadfast works and the people’s repeated faithlessness. • Verse 36 sits in a section (vv. 32-39) describing Israel’s superficial repentance after facing divine discipline. What the Words Convey • “Flattered” (Hebrew: pathah) – empty, seductive praise aimed at getting a desired response, not sincere worship. • “Lied” – conscious deception; they voiced loyalty they never intended to live out. Insights into the Israelites’ Heart-Condition • Their praise was performative, not heartfelt—words without covenant faithfulness. • They treated God as a means to relief rather than the object of true devotion. • The gap between lips and lives exposed entrenched unbelief (cf. Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8). Patterns Repeated in Israel’s Story • Exodus 32: Once the crisis passed, they turned to the golden calf. • Judges 2:18-19: Israel “quickly turned aside” after each deliverance. • Hosea 6:4: “Your loyalty is like the morning mist.” The same superficiality Psalm 78 records. The Lord’s Response • Despite their hypocrisy, v. 38 notes He “was compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them.” • His mercy highlights His covenant faithfulness contrasted with their covenant breach (Exodus 34:6-7). Implications for Believers Today • God discerns the difference between genuine repentance and crisis-driven lip service (Psalm 51:6). • True worship must flow from a heart aligned with truth, not manipulated words (John 4:23-24). • Remembering God’s past works guards against empty praise, stirring lasting devotion (Psalm 103:2). In Psalm 78:36, the Israelites’ relationship with God is unmasked as externally religious yet internally false, revealing a pattern of shallow flattery that stands in stark contrast to the unwavering faithfulness and mercy of the Lord. |
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