Psalms 78:36
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 78:36
36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Chapter Context
Psalms 78 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, wisdom, obedience. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-72: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 78:36
36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Analysis
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. The brutal "nevertheless" (way, וַיְ) demolishes the pious confession of verse 35. Pātâ (פָּתָה, "flatter") means to deceive or seduce, exposing their worship as manipulation—attempting to appease an angry deity through empty words. Kāzab (כָּזַב, "lied") describes deliberate falsehood, not mere insincerity.
This verse dissects religious hypocrisy at its core: using God's own vocabulary (Rock, Redeemer) while hearts remain uncommitted. Their mouths spoke orthodox confessions, but tongues lied because hearts were far from God—precisely what Isaiah would later prophesy (Isaiah 29:13) and Jesus would quote against Pharisees (Matthew 15:8).
The indictment is terrifying: you can lie to God with true words if your heart contradicts them. External religious performance—prayers, songs, confessions—becomes perjury when divorced from internal reality. This anticipates James's warning that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaty language required oath-taking and verbal commitment. Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh involved public confessions and vows. Asaph exposes these solemn commitments as fraudulent when the heart remained rebellious—a violation of the third commandment about not taking God's name in vain.
Reflection
- What worship practices in your life might constitute "flattering God with your mouth" while your heart is distant?
- How can you identify gaps between your professed beliefs and actual trust in God?
- What does it mean to "lie to God"—and how might you be doing it without realizing?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 29:13, Ezekiel 33:31