Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 78:37
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
37. right stedfast ] Or, stedfast faithful. Cp. Psa 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 (Psa 51:10; Psa 57:7).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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, or did not accord with such a promise or pledge. It was a mere profession made by the lips, while the heart remained unaffected. See the notes at Psa 78:8.
Neither were they stedfast in his covenant – In maintaining his covenant, or in adhering to it. Compare Psa 25:14; Psa 44:17. See also Psa 78:8.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
37. heart . . . not rightor,”firm” (compare Psa 78:8;Psa 51:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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; but wavering, fickle, and inconstant; nor true, faithful, and upright; but turning aside like a deceitful bow, as is afterwards said, Ps 78:57,
neither were they steadfast in his covenant; which was made with them at Sinai, though they promised to be obedient, and to do all the Lord said unto them; but this covenant they broke, though he were an husband to them; see Ex 24:7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Psa 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
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
covenant. If that of Exo 34:5-10, then note the reference to it in Psa 78:38, below.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
their heart: Psa 119:80, Hos 7:14, Hos 7:16, Hos 10:2, Act 8:21
stedfast: Psa 78:8, Psa 44:17, Psa 44:18, Deu 31:20, Hos 8:1
Reciprocal: 1Ki 19:14 – forsaken 2Ch 12:14 – he prepared 2Ch 24:2 – Joash 2Ch 25:2 – but not Ezr 10:12 – so must we do Psa 33:1 – praise Psa 51:10 – right Psa 119:10 – my whole Psa 119:118 – their deceit Isa 63:8 – children Jer 3:10 – Judah Eze 20:17 – mine Eze 33:31 – for with Joh 6:26 – Ye seek 1Co 15:58 – be ye Col 2:5 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
78:37 For their {u} heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
(u) Whatever does not come from the pure fountain of the heart is hypocrisy.