Psalms 78:36

“Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.”

1. Context: Psalm 78 is a historical psalm attributed to Asaph. It recounts the rebelliousness and unfaithfulness of the Israelites throughout their history, highlighting their pattern of forgetting God’s works and turning away from His commandments. This verse comes in the middle of the psalm, describing the deceptive words and false promises spoken by the Israelites to God.

2. Flattery and Deception: The verse points out the hypocrisy of the Israelites. They praised and honored God with their lips, but their actions and true intentions did not align with their words. Instead of genuinely seeking God and obeying His commandments, they deceived Him with their empty words. This reflects a deeper problem of insincerity and lack of genuine devotion.

3. Heart Attitude: The verse underscores the importance of the heart attitude in our relationship with God. Mere lip service or outward rituals are not sufficient. God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6), sincerity, and genuine devotion. He looks beyond our words and examines our hearts to see if our actions align with what we profess.

4. Warning Against Hypocrisy: This verse serves as a warning against hypocrisy and insincerity in our relationship with God. It reminds us that God sees through empty words and false promises. He desires authentic worship and genuine obedience from His people. Hypocrisy can lead to spiritual decay, distance from God, and the loss of His favour.

5. Application: As believers, it is essential to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we merely going through religious motions without true devotion? Do our words align with our deeds? God desires honesty, integrity, and a genuine relationship with us. Let us strive to be people of truth, offering heartfelt worship and obedience to Him.