Psalms 78:37

Authorized King James Version

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For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Original Language Analysis

וְ֭לִבָּם For their heart H3820
וְ֭לִבָּם For their heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 1 of 7
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָכ֣וֹן was not right H3559
נָכ֣וֹן was not right
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
עִמּ֑וֹ H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 7
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ with him neither were they stedfast H539
נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ with him neither were they stedfast
Strong's: H539
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ in his covenant H1285
בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ in his covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 7 of 7
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

Analysis & Commentary

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. This verse explains the "nevertheless" of verse 36. Lēḇ (לֵב, "heart") represents the control center of will, emotion, and thought—the inner person. Nāḵôn (נָכוֹן, "right") means established, firm, or prepared; their hearts were unstable, unprepared for covenant faithfulness.

ʾĀman (אָמַן, "stedfast") is the root of "amen," meaning faithful, reliable, trustworthy. They were loʾ neʾĕmānîm (לֹא נֶאֱמָנִים)—not faithful in His bĕrît (בְּרִית, covenant). Covenant required heart-loyalty, not just external compliance. Their unfaithfulness broke the foundational relationship established at Sinai.

This diagnosis exposes why behavioral reformation fails without heart transformation. God demands what we cannot produce naturally—a "right heart"—which only He can create (Psalm 51:10). The New Covenant solves this crisis by writing the law on hearts (Hebrews 8:10) and giving the Spirit to produce genuine faithfulness.

Historical Context

The Mosaic covenant demanded wholehearted loyalty (Deuteronomy 6:5). Israel's heart-unfaithfulness led to repeated covenant violations and eventually exile. Asaph, writing likely before the fall of the Northern Kingdom, warns that external religion without internal transformation courts disaster.

Questions for Reflection

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