Psalms 78:37
Psalms 78:37 in Multiple Translations
Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
For their heart was not right with him, Neither were they faithful in his covenant.
And their hearts were not right with him, and they did not keep their agreement with him.
Deep down they were not sincere, and did not keep the agreement they had with him.
For their heart was not vpright with him: neither were they faithfull in his couenant.
And their heart hath not been right with Him, And they have not been stedfast in His covenant.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant.
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
They were not loyal to him; they disregarded/ignored the agreement that he had made with them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:37
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ֭/לִבָּ/ם
לֹא
נָכ֣וֹן
עִמּ֑/וֹ
וְ/לֹ֥א
נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ
בִּ/בְרִיתֽ/וֹ
וְ֭/לִבָּ/ם
lêb
H3820
heart
Conj | N-ms | Suff
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נָכ֣וֹן
kûwn
H3559
to establish
V-Niphal
עִמּ֑/וֹ
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ
ʼâman
H539
be faithful
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
בִּ/בְרִיתֽ/וֹ
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:37
וְ֭/לִבָּ/ם
lêb
H3820
"heart"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נָכ֣וֹן
kûwn
H3559
"to establish"
V-Niphal
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Definition: : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be established, be fastened 1c2) to be prepared, be ready 1d) (Polel) 1d1) to set up, establish 1d2) to constitute, make 1d3) to fix 1d4) to direct 1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared 1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 18:12; Psalms 5:10.
עִמּ֑/וֹ
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
וְ/לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נֶ֝אֶמְנ֗וּ
ʼâman
H539
"be faithful"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to support, confirm, be faithful 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish 1a1a) foster-father (subst.) 1a1b) foster-mother, nurse 1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm 1b1a) to be carried by a nurse 1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting 1b1c) confirmed, established, sure 1b1d) verified, confirmed 1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in 1c1a) stand firm 1c1b) trust, believe Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, [phrase] fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right. See also: Genesis 15:6; Job 24:22; Psalms 12:2.
בִּ/בְרִיתֽ/וֹ
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:37
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:37
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:37
- Sermons on Psalms 78:37
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
35And they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.
37Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
38And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath. 39He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 8:21 | You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. |
| 2 | Psalms 78:8 | Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God. |
| 3 | Psalms 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. |
| 4 | Hosea 7:14 | They do not cry out to Me from their hearts when they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me. |
| 5 | Hosea 7:16–1 | — |
| 6 | Hosea 10:2 | Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars. |
| 7 | Psalms 119:80 | May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 31:20 | When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant. |
| 9 | Psalms 44:17–18 | All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant. Our hearts have not turned back; our steps have not strayed from Your path. |
Psalms 78:37 Summary
[Psalms 78:37 teaches us that our hearts can be disloyal to God even when we say the right things, which means we can claim to follow God but not truly obey Him in our hearts. This is similar to what Jesus said in Matthew 15:8-9, where people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. To be loyal to God, we must have a heart that truly seeks to follow and obey Him, as encouraged in Jeremiah 31:33 where God promises to write His laws on our hearts. By recognizing our tendency to be disloyal and seeking God's mercy, as seen in Psalms 78:38, we can deepen our relationship with Him and strive to be more faithful.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for hearts to be disloyal to God?
According to Psalms 78:37, having a disloyal heart means being unfaithful to God's covenant, similar to the concept found in Jeremiah 31:33 where God writes His laws on our hearts, indicating a deep commitment to following Him.
How can people be unfaithful to God's covenant if they claim to follow Him?
As seen in Psalms 78:36, people can deceive God with their words while their hearts remain disloyal, highlighting the importance of sincere worship and obedience as emphasized in Matthew 15:8-9.
Does God still love us even when we are disloyal to Him?
Yes, as stated in Psalms 78:38, despite our disloyalty, God is compassionate and forgives our iniquity, demonstrating His love and mercy towards us, much like in Romans 5:8 where God's love is shown through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
What is the significance of God remembering that we are but flesh?
As mentioned in Psalms 78:39, recognizing our frailty as human beings, God chooses to restrain His anger and have mercy on us, illustrating His patience and understanding as also seen in Psalm 103:14 where it says He knows our frame and remembers that we are dust.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I ensure my heart remains loyal to God's covenant in my daily life?
- How do I balance the truth of God's mercy with the importance of being faithful to His commands?
- What are some practical steps I can take to prevent deceiving God with my words while my heart remains disloyal?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's compassion and forgiveness when I fail to be loyal to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:37
For their heart was not right with him,.... Neither prepared and ready to any good work, but reprobate thereunto; nor steady, fixed, and established, as a good man's heart is, trusting in the Lord;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:37
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
All their confessions and petitions were but hypocritical and forced, and did not proceed from an upright heart truly grieved for their former offences, and firmly resolved to turn unto the Lord. They discovered their hypocrisy by their apostacy from God as soon as their danger was past.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
Psalms 78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.Ver. 37. For their heart was not right with him] It was still the old heart, without any sincere change, and that can never hold out the hardships of holiness, but will deviate and falsify; the rack may make it roar, the rod flutter, but all is in hypocrisy. A hypocrite would cozen God of heaven if he could tell how. Neither were they steadfast] See Psalms 78:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:37
Verse 37. Their heart was not right] When the heart is wrong, the life is wrong; and because their heart was not right with God, therefore they were not faithful in his covenant.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:37
37. right … stedfast] Or, stedfast … faithful. Cp. Psalms 78:8, where the same words are used. The heart is the organ of thought and will, which determines the moral and religious character, the seat of true repentance and amendment of life (Psalms 51:10; Psalms 57:7).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:37
For their heart was not right with him - Luther renders this, “Not fast with him.” The Hebrew word means “to fit, to prepare;” and the idea is, that the heart was not “adjusted” to such a profession,
Sermons on Psalms 78:37
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) Acts 7-8 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the pattern of Moses' life divided into three forty-year periods. The first period was spent in the schools of Egypt, where Moses became somet |
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Authentic Religion by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the critical need for authenticity in religion, warning against the prevalence of hollow and counterfeit faith in contemporary society. He defines authentic re |
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Is Thy Heart Right? by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the critical importance of the heart in one's relationship with God, arguing that a heart cannot be deemed good if it does not reflect righteousness in actions |
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The Lordship of Christ - True Repentance by James A. Stewart | James A. Stewart emphasizes the importance of true repentance and submission to Christ as Lord for genuine salvation, warning against a false profession of faith that lacks a trans |
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Treasures of Darkness by J.C. Philpot | In this sermon, the preacher delves into the significance of 'kleros,' a term used in the Bible to denote casting lots, inheritance, or destiny. The casting of lots was a method us |
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The Christian in Complete Armour - Part 8 by William Gurnall | William Gurnall preaches about the strengthening power of sincerity in a Christian's spirit, emphasizing how sincerity acts as a girdle that fortifies the believer in their spiritu |
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Crusade 1957 by Billy Graham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of examining and surrendering our hearts to God. It delves into the sinful, wicked, rebellious, and hardened nature of the human heart, highli |