Psalm 78 37

Psalm 78:37 kjv

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Psalm 78:37 nkjv

For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

Psalm 78:37 niv

their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.

Psalm 78:37 esv

Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.

Psalm 78:37 nlt

Their hearts were not loyal to him.
They did not keep his covenant.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 37 Meaning

Psalm 78:37 highlights the root cause of Israel's historical unfaithfulness: an inner spiritual defection and a failure of sustained commitment. Their "heart was not right" implies a lack of sincerity, devotion, or genuine orientation towards God, while "neither were they steadfast in his covenant" signifies a failure to consistently adhere to the terms and spirit of the covenant relationship God had established with them. It speaks to a superficial obedience that lacked true inward loyalty and firm perseverance.

Psalm 78 37 Context

Psalm 78 is a "Maskil," an instructive psalm, attributed to Asaph. It recounts the history of God's interaction with Israel from the Exodus through the time of David, emphasizing God's unfailing goodness and Israel's repeated rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness. The psalm serves as a didactic warning to future generations not to repeat the mistakes of their forefathers. Verse 37 specifically explains the reason for the superficiality described in the preceding verses (e.g., v. 36: "flattered him with their mouths" but "lied to him with their tongues"). It shows that their outward acts of seeking God were not rooted in genuine inward transformation or steadfast commitment, setting the stage for their continued pattern of sin and punishment throughout the historical narrative the psalm unfolds.

Psalm 78 37 Word analysis

• For their heart: (לִבָּם - libbām) The Hebrew word 'lev' (heart) in biblical context refers not just to emotions, but to the entire inner person—intellect, will, mind, conscience, and moral character. This is the core of their being, the seat of their desires, intentions, and commitments. The problem was not superficial but deeply internal.
• was not right: (נָכוֹן לֹא הָיָה - lo hayah nakhon) 'Nakhon' signifies established, firm, prepared, loyal, or sincere. When coupled with 'lo hayah' (was not), it means their heart was not firm, sincere, constant, or truly fixed on God. It suggests an inward disposition that was unstable, divided, or disloyal, lacking genuine conviction or pure motive.
• with him: (עִמּוֹ - ‘immô) Indicates the object of their commitment – God Himself. The failure was directly in their relationship with the Lord, highlighting a lack of true orientation or allegiance towards their Divine covenant partner.
• neither were they steadfast: (נֶאְמְנוּ וְלֹא - wělō' ne'ĕmnû) 'Ne'ĕmnû' is from the root 'aman' (אָמַן), meaning to be firm, reliable, established, or faithful. In the Hithpael stem here, it conveys the idea of proving oneself steadfast, being shown to be trustworthy, or continuing to be faithful. The negative 'wělō'' (neither/and not) shows their failure in consistent reliability or enduring commitment.
• in his covenant: (בִּבְרִיתוֹ - biḇĕrîṯō) The "covenant" (בְּרִית - berit) refers to the foundational agreement God made with Israel, beginning with Abraham and formally at Sinai, establishing them as His people and outlining the terms of their relationship. Their lack of steadfastness meant they did not adhere consistently to its demands, particularly the spiritual and ethical obligations, thus violating the sacred bond.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "For their heart was not right with him": This phrase exposes the internal, core problem. It's not just about outward actions but the inner condition. A 'heart not right' points to insincerity, hypocrisy, or divided allegiance. This inner disposition made any outward show of repentance or obedience temporary and shallow, lacking deep conviction or single-minded devotion.
• "neither were they steadfast in his covenant": This complements the first part, showing the practical manifestation of the internal problem. Lack of 'steadfastness' in the covenant implies a failure to consistently live out its terms—faithfulness, obedience, loyalty—over time. They were prone to wavering, forgetting, and breaking their promises to God, rather than being firm and reliable in their commitment to the divine agreement. Together, these two phrases provide a comprehensive diagnosis of Israel's spiritual malady, moving from internal disposition to external consistent practice.

Psalm 78 37 Bonus section

This verse articulates a profound truth applicable across all dispensations: God seeks sincere, unwavering devotion of the heart, not mere outward performance or momentary contrition. It prefigures the New Covenant emphasis where God writes His laws on the hearts of His people (Jer 31:33), providing an internal change that empowers steadfastness lacking under the old covenant for many. The recurring pattern in Psalm 78 reveals the limitation of human will to maintain perfect steadfastness without divine intervention, subtly pointing towards the necessity of grace for true and lasting faithfulness.

Psalm 78 37 Commentary

Psalm 78:37 serves as a poignant theological diagnosis of Israel's recurring failure throughout their history. It asserts that their outward repentance or temporary turning to God, described in the immediate preceding verses (e.g., v. 34-35), lacked genuine internal commitment. The "heart," the seat of intellect, emotion, and will, was not truly aligned with God. This internal misdirection led to a practical and persistent failure: they "were not steadfast in His covenant." Their adherence was inconsistent, lacking perseverance and true loyalty. This verse underscores the biblical emphasis on the condition of the heart as paramount to one's relationship with God; external compliance without internal sincerity is deemed insufficient. It's a reminder that genuine faith demands a transformed heart that expresses itself in sustained obedience and faithfulness to God's established will and relationship terms, unlike the fleeting and disingenuous devotion seen in their historical pattern.