"Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto Him with their tongues, for their heart was not right with Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant." (Ps. 78:36, 37.)

To flatter a person is to speak well of him, in a way we do not really believe, in order to get his favor, or secure something to our advantage. It is the language of the lips, not of the heart. It is falsehood, and, as Scripture says, " He that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet." It is seeking to gain by cunning rather than by real worth, and it degrades the one who receives it and shows the character of the one who offers it. But how can man flatter God ? He is infinitely above all we can conceive Him. No attribute, no excellence which we can ascribe to Him is an exaggeration ; all falls short. But the flattery lies in the motive. Here was Israel in the wilderness, doing as they pleased, and doubting and murmuring all along the way. Every now and then they would turn to the Lord, for it was not their desire to break entirely with Him. Poor souls, in their blindness they thought God was like man to be flattered, to be soothed, and turned from His anger by a few words of praise and promise.

This has not ceased. There are flatterers of God to-day -men who wish to go on as they please but who will, as they think, keep God on their side by a little religiousness. The Roman Catholic will sin all the year, and once at its close flatter God by going to the confessional. The man of the world will live as he pleases, and offer his flattery by an occasional contribution to some " good cause." The awakened soul even is tempted to do the same, and by making unrealized professions seek to dull the vigilance of a justice he fears.

But passing from these too common cases of flattery amongst the unsaved, is there not much for our own conscience in this word ? We are not in the enjoyment of full communion, perhaps, or we have something we want to do, and we are not sure of His approval; so we come with words on our lips, words of love, praise, and worship; but, alas! there is no heart there. Unconsciously, perhaps, we are trying to flatter Him. But He that is holy, He that is true, will receive nothing of this kind. He will have heart worship or none at all.

Let us remember this, in our prayers, our songs of praise, our service. But on the other hand, let us not be morbid or self-occupied. The verse quoted shows why the people flattered God, " Their heart was not right with Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant." It is holding something in the heart which is contrary to God's mind that would make us flatter Him. Steadfastness of heart in His covenant will prevent untruth. Then the feeblest groan is vocal with prayer, and the faintest whisper of trust is sweet praise, to His gracious ear.