Psalms 78:37

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For their heart {H3820} was not right {H3559}{H8737)} with him, neither were they stedfast {H539}{H8738)} in his covenant {H1285}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for their hearts were not right with him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant.

Berean Standard Bible

Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.

American Standard Version

For their heart was not right with him, Neither were they faithful in his covenant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:37 profoundly diagnoses Israel's recurring spiritual failure, pinpointing the root cause of their backsliding: a heart fundamentally misaligned with God's will and an unwillingness to remain steadfast in the covenant relationship He graciously established. It underscores that God's assessment penetrates beyond superficial actions to the core of one's being, revealing a deep-seated lack of genuine devotion and loyalty that perpetually undermined their relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78, a didactic *maskil* attributed to Asaph, functions as a sweeping historical narrative, recounting the tumultuous journey of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic monarchy. This extended poem serves as a cautionary tale, designed to instruct future generations about the unwavering faithfulness of God contrasted with the persistent unfaithfulness of His people. Verse 37 specifically follows a poignant description of Israel's superficial and temporary repentance during times of divine judgment, as seen in [Psalm 78:34-36](/psalms/78-34 "Psalm 78:34-36 - Israel's Insincere Repentance"). This verse acts as a profound divine diagnosis, revealing that their outward expressions of remorse were not rooted in a genuine change of heart, thereby explaining their cyclical pattern of rebellion and subsequent backsliding. It lays the groundwork for the psalm's ongoing theme of God's enduring patience despite human provocation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 78 spans centuries of Israel's national life, from their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai, through their wilderness wanderings, conquest of Canaan, and the period of the Judges, culminating in the early monarchy. Central to this history was the concept of the covenant, a binding agreement initiated by God, which defined Israel's identity, responsibilities, and relationship with Him (e.g., [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - The Sinai Covenant")). Culturally, the "heart" (לֵב, *lev*) in ancient Near Eastern thought, and particularly in Hebrew anthropology, was considered the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character—the very core of one's being and decision-making. Therefore, a heart "not right" signified a fundamental misalignment of one's inner disposition with the covenant obligations and the character of God. The repeated failures described in the psalm highlight the human propensity to violate these sacred oaths, despite experiencing God's miraculous provision and judgment.

* **Key Themes:** Several key themes converge in this verse, reflecting the broader theological concerns of [Psalm 78](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78 - A Didactic History of Israel"). Foremost is the **Condition of the Heart**, emphasizing that God's primary concern is with the internal state of His people, not merely their external actions. Their "heart was not right" points to a profound lack of genuine devotion, sincerity, and proper alignment with God's will, a concept echoed throughout Scripture where God looks beyond outward appearances to the true intentions of the inner person (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). This ties directly into the theme of **Unsteadfastness in Covenant**, as Israel repeatedly demonstrated a fleeting and conditional loyalty to the covenant despite God's unwavering commitment. Their inability to remain "stedfast" underscores a consistent pattern of unfaithfulness and failure to adhere to their promises and obligations. Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the overarching narrative of [Psalm 78](/psalms/78 "Psalm 78 - A Didactic History of Israel") continually highlights **Divine Faithfulness Amidst Human Failure**, contrasting Israel's chronic rebellion with God's enduring patience, mercy, and steadfast love, which He demonstrated by repeatedly delivering them despite their provocations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lev_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, the *lev* (heart) is far more than a physical organ; it is the comprehensive center of a person's inner life—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral character. It represents the core of one's being, from which all intentions, decisions, and actions flow. When the heart is described as "not right," it signifies a fundamental disorder or misalignment at the very root of their existence, impacting their entire orientation towards God.
* **Not right (Hebrew, _lo nakhon_):** The phrase "not right" translates the Hebrew *lo nakhon*. The root *kun* (כּוּן) means "to be firm, established, prepared, ready." Therefore, "not right" implies a lack of firmness, stability, or proper alignment. Their heart was not fixed, steady, or genuinely inclined towards God. It suggests a wavering, insincere, and ultimately unreliable inner disposition, incapable of consistent devotion.
* **Stedfast (Hebrew, _ne'eman_):** The Hebrew word *ne'eman* (from the root *aman*, meaning "to be firm, reliable, trustworthy") conveys the idea of faithfulness, reliability, and trustworthiness. It is the same root from which "Amen" derives, signifying certainty and truth. To be "not stedfast" in the covenant means they were unreliable, unfaithful, and inconsistent in upholding their side of the covenant relationship, starkly contrasting with God's own *ne'eman* character (His steadfast love and faithfulness).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For their heart was not right with him":** This initial clause provides the foundational diagnosis for Israel's spiritual failure. It declares that the problem was not merely external disobedience or a lack of knowledge, but a deep-seated issue within their innermost being. Their "heart"—the seat of their will, affections, and moral choices—was fundamentally misaligned, not genuinely devoted or properly oriented towards God. This indicates a lack of sincere commitment and a pervasive spiritual instability that rendered their outward acts of repentance or obedience superficial and fleeting.
* **"neither were they stedfast in his covenant":** This second clause elaborates on the consequence and manifestation of their misaligned heart. Because their heart was not truly "right" with God, they could not remain "stedfast" (faithful, reliable, consistent) in the covenant relationship He had graciously established with them. Despite God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, Israel repeatedly broke their vows, demonstrating a cyclical pattern of rebellion, temporary repentance, and subsequent backsliding. This highlights their chronic unreliability and inability to maintain loyalty to the sacred bond, revealing a profound disconnect between their professed allegiance and their actual conduct.

#### Literary Devices
This verse employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. Firstly, it is a prime example of **Didacticism**, serving as a direct teaching moment within the broader historical narrative of Psalm 78, designed to instruct future generations about the perils of spiritual insincerity. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, implicitly setting Israel's wavering heart and unsteadfastness against the backdrop of God's unwavering faithfulness, a theme pervasive throughout the psalm. There is also a subtle form of **Anthropomorphism** in the idea of a heart being "right with God," implying a relational alignment that God observes and desires. Furthermore, the two parallel clauses, "their heart was not right with him" and "neither were they stedfast in his covenant," demonstrate **Parallelism**, reinforcing the central message through repetition of thought, where the second clause elaborates on the first, showing that an unaligned heart inevitably leads to covenant unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse offers a profound theological statement on the nature of true faith and the covenant relationship with God. It powerfully underscores that God's primary demand is not merely for outward conformity, ritualistic observance, or temporary repentance, but for a genuine, inner disposition of the heart. The failure of Israel, as diagnosed here, is fundamentally a failure of the heart to be truly aligned with God's will and character, revealing a spiritual defect at their core. This concept is central to biblical theology, emphasizing that sin is not just about external actions but about the pervasive condition of the inner person. Their unsteadfastness in the covenant highlights the inherent human inability to consistently uphold divine standards and maintain loyalty without a transformed heart, thereby foreshadowing the necessity of a new work of God to enable true faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love God with All Your Heart")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant and the Law on the Heart")
* [Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Honor with Lips, Heart Far Away")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:37 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, challenging us to look beyond superficial religiosity to the true condition of our hearts. It reminds us that God desires genuine, wholehearted devotion, not merely outward compliance or fleeting commitments born out of convenience or crisis. In a world that often values appearances and quick fixes, this verse calls us to profound introspection, urging us to examine whether our deepest affections, intentions, and allegiances are truly aligned with God's will. Our spiritual walk is meant to be characterized by steadfastness—a consistent, reliable faithfulness that endures through trials, temptations, and the mundane rhythms of life. This requires not only self-examination but also an ongoing reliance on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to cultivate a heart that is truly "right" with God, enabling us to live out our covenant relationship with integrity, perseverance, and authentic love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of the "heart" in this verse challenge my understanding of genuine faith and spiritual authenticity?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might my commitment to God or my spiritual disciplines be less than "stedfast" or consistent?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more "right" and "stedfast" heart before God, moving beyond mere outward conformity?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for Israel's heart to be "not right with him"?**

Answer: For Israel's heart to be "not right with him" signifies a profound internal misalignment and lack of genuine spiritual integrity. In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב, *lev*) represents the core of one's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral decision-making. Therefore, a heart "not right" means that their deepest intentions, affections, and loyalties were not truly directed towards God. It implies a lack of sincerity, a divided devotion, or a self-serving motivation that undermined any outward show of obedience or repentance. This contrasts sharply with the biblical ideal of a heart wholly devoted to God, as commanded in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart"). It reveals that their spiritual problem was not merely external disobedience but a fundamental issue within their inner disposition.

**How does Israel's lack of "stedfastness in his covenant" relate to their heart not being "right"?**

Answer: The two phrases are intrinsically linked, with the condition of the heart being the fundamental root cause of their lack of steadfastness. If the heart is not genuinely and sincerely aligned with God (i.e., "not right"), it cannot consistently uphold the obligations and spirit of the covenant. "Stedfastness" (נֶאֱמָן, *ne'eman*) refers to unwavering loyalty, reliability, and consistent adherence to the terms of the covenant relationship. Israel's failure to be steadfast was a direct manifestation of their inner spiritual instability, divided affections, and insincere devotion. It demonstrates that true covenant keeping and consistent obedience flow naturally from a sincere, transformed, and devoted heart, which Israel consistently lacked under the Old Covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:37, in its stark portrayal of Israel's unfaithful heart and unsteadfastness, powerfully highlights humanity's desperate need for a divine intervention that the Old Covenant could not fully provide. This verse, therefore, points forward to the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. Where Israel consistently failed to be "right" in heart and "stedfast" in covenant, Jesus perfectly embodied both. He lived a life of absolute obedience and unwavering devotion, fulfilling every righteous requirement of the law and the covenant on our behalf (e.g., [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). More profoundly, Christ inaugurates the New Covenant, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), where God promises to write His law not on tablets of stone, but on the hearts of His people, giving them a new heart and a new spirit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")). Through faith in Jesus, believers receive the Holy Spirit, who enables genuine repentance, transforms the "not right" heart, and empowers them to walk in steadfast obedience and true covenant faithfulness, something impossible under the old system. Thus, Christ is not only the perfect covenant-keeper but also the source of our ability to live with a heart truly "right" with God and to be "stedfast" in the new and better covenant established through His blood (e.g., [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 8:21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Psalms 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Hosea 10:2

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

Hosea 7:16

They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 8:1

¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

Psalms 119:80

¶ Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.