Their mouths claimed faithfulness while their hearts were far from God.
The psalmist Asaph, writing around 1000 BC during the reign of King David, laments the persistent unfaithfulness of the Israelites in Psalm 78. He reminds his audience of the many miracles God performed and the covenant Israel had with Him. Yet he points out that “But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue” (v.36). These words reveal that despite the outward declarations of loyalty and praise, God recognized the insincerity underlying their professions of faith. Asaph, a Levite musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7), draws attention to the people’s lack of genuine devotion, even though they experienced God’s mighty works and had numerous opportunities to honor Him wholeheartedly.
When Asaph observes that “they deceived Him with their mouth” (v.36), he highlights the stark contrast between Israel’s verbal commitments and their actual behavior. Their worship appeared sincere, but in reality it was empty ceremony. This hypocrisy resonates with later passages, such as when the prophet Isaiah warns that people may honor God with their lips while their hearts remain distant (Isaiah 29:13), a message Jesus also echoes in His ministry (Mark 7:6). These verses across Scripture affirm that God always sees beyond mere words and looks for authenticity in the hearts of His people. The deception mentioned here is not just a matter of words but a heart posture of rebellion, which led them astray again and again.
Furthermore, Asaph’s charge that “they lied to Him with their tongue” (v.36) reminds readers that deceit is not tolerated in a covenant relationship with the Lord. The Israelites consistently tested God’s patience, professing devotion yet continuing to disobey and disregard His laws. Though the Lord continued to show mercy and favor throughout their exodus journey and settlement in the Promised Land, their hollow statements of commitment did not align with their actions. This serves as a timeless reminder that outward expressions of worship must align with internal submission to the will of God.
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Psalms 78:36 meaning
The psalmist Asaph, writing around 1000 BC during the reign of King David, laments the persistent unfaithfulness of the Israelites in Psalm 78. He reminds his audience of the many miracles God performed and the covenant Israel had with Him. Yet he points out that “But they deceived Him with their mouth And lied to Him with their tongue” (v.36). These words reveal that despite the outward declarations of loyalty and praise, God recognized the insincerity underlying their professions of faith. Asaph, a Levite musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7), draws attention to the people’s lack of genuine devotion, even though they experienced God’s mighty works and had numerous opportunities to honor Him wholeheartedly.
When Asaph observes that “they deceived Him with their mouth” (v.36), he highlights the stark contrast between Israel’s verbal commitments and their actual behavior. Their worship appeared sincere, but in reality it was empty ceremony. This hypocrisy resonates with later passages, such as when the prophet Isaiah warns that people may honor God with their lips while their hearts remain distant (Isaiah 29:13), a message Jesus also echoes in His ministry (Mark 7:6). These verses across Scripture affirm that God always sees beyond mere words and looks for authenticity in the hearts of His people. The deception mentioned here is not just a matter of words but a heart posture of rebellion, which led them astray again and again.
Furthermore, Asaph’s charge that “they lied to Him with their tongue” (v.36) reminds readers that deceit is not tolerated in a covenant relationship with the Lord. The Israelites consistently tested God’s patience, professing devotion yet continuing to disobey and disregard His laws. Though the Lord continued to show mercy and favor throughout their exodus journey and settlement in the Promised Land, their hollow statements of commitment did not align with their actions. This serves as a timeless reminder that outward expressions of worship must align with internal submission to the will of God.