Psalms 78:38
Psalms 78:38 in Multiple Translations
And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
But he, being merciful, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, And did not stir up all his wrath.
But he, being full of pity, has forgiveness for sin, and does not put an end to man: frequently turning back his wrath, and not being violently angry.
But being compassionate he pardoned their guilt and did not destroy all of them. He often held back his anger—he did not pour out all his fury.
Yet he being merciful forgaue their iniquitie, and destroied them not, but oft times called backe his anger, and did not stirre vp all his wrath.
And He — the Merciful One, Pardoneth iniquity, and destroyeth not, And hath often turned back His anger, And waketh not up all His fury.
But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yes, many a time he turned his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
But God was merciful to his people. He forgave them for having sinned and did not get rid of them. Many times he refrained from becoming angry with them and restrained from furiously/severely punishing them [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:38
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 78:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/ה֤וּא
רַח֨וּם
יְכַפֵּ֥ר
עָוֺן֮
וְֽ/לֹא
יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
וְ֭/הִרְבָּה
לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב
אַפּ֑/וֹ
וְ/לֹֽא
יָ֝עִיר
כָּל
חֲמָתֽ/וֹ
וְ/ה֤וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
רַח֨וּם
rachûwm
H7349
compassionate
Adj
יְכַפֵּ֥ר
kâphar
H3722
to atone
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
עָוֺן֮
ʻâvôn
H5771
iniquity
N-cs
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
וְ֭/הִרְבָּה
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אַפּ֑/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
face
N-ms | Suff
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יָ֝עִיר
ʻûwr
H5782
to rouse
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חֲמָתֽ/וֹ
chêmâh
H2534
rage
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:38
וְ/ה֤וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
רַח֨וּם
rachûwm
H7349
"compassionate"
Adj
The Hebrew word for compassionate describes God's merciful nature. It is used to convey God's kindness and sympathy towards humanity, often in the context of his relationship with his people. This concept is central to the Bible's portrayal of God's character.
Definition: 1) compassionate 1a) always of God with one possible exception
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: full of compassion, merciful. See also: Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; Psalms 78:38.
יְכַפֵּ֥ר
kâphar
H3722
"to atone"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To cover means to coat or cover something, like when the ark was covered with pitch to protect it. This word is also used figuratively to describe making amends or forgiving someone, like in a sacrifice or atonement.
Definition: 1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1a2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1a3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1b) (Pual) 1b1) to be covered over 1b2) to be atoned for 1c) (Hithpael) to be covered
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). See also: Genesis 6:14; Leviticus 16:32; Psalms 65:4.
עָוֺן֮
ʻâvôn
H5771
"iniquity"
N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means moral evil or sin, like the kind God sees in people's hearts. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human nature.
Definition: : crime 1) perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity 1a) iniquity 1b) guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition) 1c) consequence of or punishment for iniquity
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. See also: Genesis 4:13; Psalms 107:17; Psalms 18:24.
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
וְ֭/הִרְבָּה
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
לְ/הָשִׁ֣יב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
אַפּ֑/וֹ
ʼaph
H639
"face"
N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָ֝עִיר
ʻûwr
H5782
"to rouse"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To rouse means to wake up or stir someone into action. It can also mean to be excited or triumphant, and is used in the Bible to describe God stirring up his people. This word is about being awakened or energized.
Definition: 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self). See also: Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 10:26; Psalms 7:7.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חֲמָתֽ/וֹ
chêmâh
H2534
"rage"
N-fs | Suff
This word means intense anger or rage, like a burning fire. It's used in the Bible to describe God's wrath and human anger, often warning against the dangers of unchecked emotions. In Proverbs and Psalms, it cautions against the destructive power of anger and rage.
Definition: 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage Aramaic equivalent: che.ma (חֱמָא "rage" H2528)
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529 (חֶמְאָה). See also: Genesis 27:44; Isaiah 63:5; Psalms 6:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 78:38
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 78:38 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:38
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:38
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:38
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:38
- Sermons on Psalms 78:38
Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
36But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.
37Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
38And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.
39He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. 40How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 48:9 | For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off. |
| 2 | Numbers 14:18–20 | ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” “I have pardoned them as you requested,” the LORD replied. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 20:17 | Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 20:13–14 | Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. |
| 5 | Exodus 34:6–9 | Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped. “O Lord,” he said, “if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” |
| 6 | Ezekiel 20:21–22 | But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 21:20 | And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done. |
| 8 | Isaiah 44:21–22 | Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I have made you, and you are My servant; O Israel, I will never forget you. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 20:8–9 | But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt. But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. |
| 10 | Psalms 106:43–45 | Many times He rescued them, but they were bent on rebellion and sank down in their iniquity. Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion. |
Psalms 78:38 Summary
[Psalms 78:38 tells us that even when the Israelites disobeyed God, He was still compassionate and chose to forgive them. This shows us that God's love is patient and kind, like it says in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Just as God forgave the Israelites, He also forgives us when we sin, as promised in 1 John 1:9. This verse reminds us of the importance of being thankful for God's compassion and forgiveness, and to strive to be like Him in our relationships with others.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God choose to be compassionate and forgive the Israelites despite their disobedience?
God's compassion and forgiveness are rooted in His loving nature, as seen in Psalms 78:38, and are further emphasized in verses like Exodus 34:6-7, which describe Him as 'abundant in loving devotion and truth, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.'
How can God restrain His anger and not unleash His full wrath if He is a just and holy God?
As a just and holy God, His wrath is a response to sin, but His love and mercy also motivate Him to restrain His anger, as seen in Psalms 78:38, and to provide a way for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, as explained in Romans 3:21-26.
What does it mean that God 'often restrained His anger'?
The phrase 'often restrained His anger' in Psalms 78:38 indicates that God's patience and self-control are ongoing and repeated, even in the face of continued disobedience, much like the pattern of forgiveness and restoration seen in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.
How does God's compassion in Psalms 78:38 relate to His character in other parts of the Bible?
God's compassion in Psalms 78:38 is consistent with His character as described in other parts of the Bible, such as in Psalms 103:8-14, which says that 'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love' and in Lamentations 3:22-23, which reminds us that 'His compassions never fail'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have experienced God's compassion and forgiveness, and how have those experiences shaped my relationship with Him?
- In what ways do I struggle with extending compassion and forgiveness to others, and how can I grow in these areas to reflect God's character more accurately?
- How does the knowledge that God often restrains His anger and chooses not to unleash His full wrath impact my understanding of His love and mercy towards me?
- What are some practical ways I can demonstrate gratitude for God's compassion and forgiveness in my daily life, as encouraged by verses like Colossians 3:12-17?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:38
But he, being full of compassion,.... Or merciful; having bowels of mercy, as a tender mother to the son of her womb; a word from the same root as this signifies the womb: the mercies of God are
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:38
Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
Forgave their iniquity; not simply and absolutely, for so it is undeniably certain from the Holy Scriptures that God pardons none but true penitents, such as these were not; but respectively, and so far as not to destroy them at that time, which he threatened, and was about to do, as the next words limit and explain it. He remitted their punishment, for iniquity is oft put for the punishment of it. Heb. he expiated their iniquity. He accepted of their atonement, or of their professed repentance, so far as to compensate it with a removal of this outward and present affliction; as he did also to wicked Ahab upon his hypocritical humiliation, . And this God doth for the encouragement of all true penitents, who may hence learn how much greater and better recompences they may expect and shall receive from God. Did not stir up all his wrath; but set bounds to it; and though he chastened them, yet he would not utterly destroy them, as they deserved.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
Psalms 78:38 But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.Ver. 38. But he, being full of compassion] Not standing upon terms nor taking advantages; a sin pardoning God, whose mercy rejoiceth against (or glorieth over) judgment, James 2:13; it is of his mercy that we are not consumed, Lamentations 3:22, if he should deal with us in strict justice, Et delicta nostra ad calculos vocare, there were no abiding by it, Psal. cxxx. 1; clxiii 1. Yea, many a time turned he his anger away] With patience and piety, he overcame their provocations, although they tempted him ten times, that is, very often, Numbers 14:22. And did not stir up all his wrath] Heb. He multiplied to turn away his wrath, Strenue curavit ut cohiberet iram suam, he let fall some drops of his wrath, but would not shed the whole shower of it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
(38) The verbs in the first clause should be in the present, But he, the compassionate, forgives iniquity, and doth not destroy, and many a time he turned away, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 78:38
Verse 38. But he, being full of compassion] Feeling for them as a father for his children. Forgave their iniquity] יחפר yechapper, made an atonement for their iniquity. And did not stir up all his wrath.] Though they often grieved his Spirit, and rebelled against him, yet he seldom punished them; and when he did chastise them, it was as a tender and merciful Father. He did not stir up all his wrath - the punishment was much less than the iniquity deserved.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:38
38. This verse describes the general attributes of God, in virtue of which (Psalms 78:39) He spared Israel in spite of their guilt. Render: But he, being full of compassion, forgiveth iniquity and destroyeth not, And offtimes turneth his anger away, And stirreth not up all his wrath. Cp. Exodus 34:6-7; Exodus 32:10; Exodus 32:12; Numbers 14:18 ff.; Deuteronomy 4:31. “V. 38 is, according to Kiddushin 30a, the middle of the 5896 lines (στίχοι) of the Psalter. According to Maccoth 22b, Psalms 78:38 and Deuteronomy 28:58-59; Deuteronomy 29:8 were recited, when the forty stripes save one, which Paul five times suffered (2 Corinthians 11:24), were inflicted on the offender.” (Delitzsch).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:38
But he, being full of compassion - literally, “But he, merciful,” That is, he was ready to forgive them. Forgave their iniquity - literally, Atoned for, expiated, covered over their iniquity.
Sermons on Psalms 78:38
| Sermon | Description | |
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How God Provided for the Children of Israel by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses how God provided for the children of Israel during their time in the wilderness. He focuses on the story of Moses striking the rock to |
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The Sure Road to Peace by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the simplicity of the road to revival, which is obedience to God's commandments. He highlights the importance of not only hearing God's word |
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Glimpses of the Future - Part 5 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the prophetic Scriptures concerning Jesus, emphasizing how every aspect of His life fulfilled the prophecies, showcasing His submission to the authority of |
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Isaiah (Part 1) - Introduction by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God does not shy away from hopeless cases, despite our limited resources and narrow hearts. He highlights how God speaks to nations and |
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The Ark of the Covenant by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the significance of the Ark of the Covenant as described in the book of Deuteronomy. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the presenc |
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Powerful Sermon Compilation - the Trumpet Solo by James A. Stewart | This sermon emphasizes the consequences of sin and the need for repentance, highlighting the judgment that follows sin and the importance of churches and congregations repenting. I |
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God's Greatest Enemy by Greg Locke | In this sermon, the preacher starts by quoting Romans 1:16, emphasizing that he is not ashamed of the gospel. He explains that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to every |