Psalms 78:36
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Psalms 78:36
Verse 36 begins, “Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.” It presents a stark contrast to the remembrance in verse 35. The people’s lips praised God, but their hearts pursued self-interest or falsehood. This is a common prophetic theme: external worship without inner faithfulness is hollow. The cultural context includes a ritualistic approach to worship that is not matched by honest obedience. The psalmist uses vivid language to expose the duplicity: flattery and deception stain the relationship between God and his people, revealing a divide between speech and action. The verse serves as a social critique, warning against superficial religiosity that masks disobedience and distrust.
Theologically, this verse confronts the danger of hypocrisy in worship. It underscores the Bible’s insistence that true worship must originate in a faithful heart that loves and trusts God, not merely loud words or ceremonial acts. The tension between mouth and tongue—praise with deceit—illustrates how sin can pervert spiritual practice. It also invites believers to evaluate the integrity of their relationship with God: are we failing to align our words with our deeds? This verse foreshadows New Testament critiques of legalistic or performative religion and points toward the call for genuine repentance that transforms character.
In personal life and church communities, examine your words and actions for alignment. Are you quick to praise God with your words while withholding trust in daily decisions, or judging others? Practical steps: practice honest confession when your walk doesn’t match your talk, seek accountability, and cultivate integrity in everyday tasks—work, finances, relationships. In worship, strive for authenticity: are your songs and prayers reflective of your heart’s posture before God? Use this as a cue to pursue humility and truth-telling in all things. The aim is to cultivate a faith that is consistent—lips that bless God and lives that obey him.
Cross-References: Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8-9; James 1:22-26; Romans 12:9; 1 John 3:18