Psalms 78:36

“And they served their idols, etc.] Of gold and silver, wood and stone; the works of men’s hands, senseless creatures; which are nothing in the world, and bring grief and sorrow to the worshippers of them, from whence they have their name here given them; (see <191604>Psalm 16:4). They served “their” idols, the idols of the Canaanites, who were dispossessed of their land for their idolatries and other sins; and these Israelites were put in their place. They served those which they were ordered to destroy; they who knew the true God, whose servants they were, or ought to have been, and professed to be, and were so called; and yet served the idols of the nations driven out before them. Which…”

“Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth - The word rendered “flatter” means properly “to open;” and hence, “to be open; to be ingenious or frank;” and then, to be easily persuaded, to be deluded, to be beguiled; and hence, also, in an active form, to persuade, to entice, to seduce, to beguile, to delude. The meaning here is, that they attempted to deceive by their professions, or that their professions were false and hollow. Those professions were the mere result of affliction. They were based on no principle; there was no true love or confidence at the foundation. Such professions or promises are often made in affliction. Under the pressure of heavy judgments, the loss of…”

“Lied - They made but false protestations of their sincere resolutions of future obedience. Psalms 78:42”

“Nevertheless: Psa 106:12, Psa 106:13; Deu 5:28, Deu 5:29; Isa 29:13; Eze 33:31; Hos 11:12 lied: Psa 18:44 \*marg. Psalms 78:37”