The psalmist says that their change of heart was not genuine (verse 36); all their professions of repentance were lies, intended to deceive God. Revised Standard Version flattered him follows King James Version and American Standard Version; the Hebrew verb, however, means to lie to, to deceive, to act the hypocrite. Bible en français courant translates the verse “But they were not sincere, what they said was not true.”

Their heart was not steadfast toward him: they were disloyal to God and disregarded the obligations they should have kept under the terms of the covenant (see verses 8c and 10). In verse 37b his covenant means either “the covenant he made with them” or “the covenant they made with him”–the former is to be preferred. For comments on covenant see 25.10.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .