Psalms 78:36

Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth.

Flattering God

I. Here is a world-wide enormity.

1. It is rampant in heathendom. Men “flatter” their gods.

2. It is prevalent in Christendom. Looking at the moral character of England, for example, who can doubt that the vast majorities of all Churches “flatter” God by the use of the hymns they sing and the prayers they repeat?

II. Here is a monstrous absurdity. Poor man is so vain that he likes flattery, and is deceived by it. But to use it to Omniscience is the height of pre-posity. He knows what is in man. He “abhors the sacrifice where not the heart is found.”

III. Here is a moral abomination. What an insult to Omniscience! (Homilist.)