Psalms 78:10
They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
Psalms 78:10
This verse marks a clear pivot: “They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law.” The psalmist repeatedly emphasizes covenant fidelity as the core test of Israel’s faithfulness. The phrase “kept not the covenant” signals a breach in loyalty—a fracturing of relationship initiated by disobedience. Refusal to walk in God’s law indicates practical rebellion, an unwillingness to align daily life with divine instruction. The cause and effect are implicit: unfaithfulness erodes memory of God’s acts, provoking a cycle of forgetfulness and hardness of heart already warned against in verses 7-8. The historical anchor is Israel’s wilderness era and occupancy with the law’s demands; spiritually, it’s the perennial human tendency to choose autonomy over obedience. The verse serves as a sober reminder that covenant fidelity requires ongoing commitment, not a one-time decision.
Covenant faithfulness is central to biblical theology. The verse highlights that God’s relationship with His people is conditional on response—obedience and alignment with His revealed will. It also foreshadows the prophets’ critiques of unfaithfulness and the need for restoration. The law is not an arbitrary code but a relational expression of God’s character; refusal to walk in it is a refusal to acknowledge who God is and how He desires His people to live. The verse thus anchors the ethics of the Psalter in covenant theology.
In daily life, this invites self-examination: where am I ignoring guidance from Scripture or acting independently of God’s revealed will? Practical steps include regular Bible engagement, transparent accountability, and repenting when you notice a gap between belief and behavior. In decision-making, pause to ask, “What would obedience to God require in this situation?” When facing temptation or moral gray areas, choose the harder but faithful path rather than the easy, self-serving option. The aim is to cultivate a lifestyle of covenant faithfulness that endures beyond moments of zeal.
Cross-References: Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Jeremiah 11:6-8; Hosea 6:4-6