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.
Original Language Analysis
וְה֤וּא
H1931
וְה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
1 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְֽלֹא
H3808
וְֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
and destroyed
H7843
יַ֫שְׁחִ֥ית
and destroyed
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
6 of 13
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וְ֭הִרְבָּה
them not yea many a time
H7235
וְ֭הִרְבָּה
them not yea many a time
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
7 of 13
to increase (in whatever respect)
לְהָשִׁ֣יב
away
H7725
לְהָשִׁ֣יב
away
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 13
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַפּ֑וֹ
he his anger
H639
אַפּ֑וֹ
he his anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Isaiah 48:9For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.Ezekiel 20:17Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.2 Kings 21:20And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.
Historical Context
Throughout the wilderness period, God repeatedly refrained from total destruction despite capital offenses—the golden calf, Kadesh-barnea rebellion, Korah's revolt. Moses' intercessions appealed to God's reputation and promises (Exodus 32:11-14), but ultimately God's own character of compassion stayed His hand.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's repeated mercy toward unfaithful Israel shape your understanding of His patience with your own failures?
- What does it reveal about God's character that He "did not stir up all his wrath" despite deserving it?
- How should awareness of God's multiplied mercy affect your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not. The stunning reversal begins with wĕhûʾ (וְהוּא, "but he")—despite their lying flattery and heart-unfaithfulness, God remains compassionate. Raḥûm (רַחוּם, "full of compassion") derives from reḥem (רֶחֶם, womb), depicting mother-love tender mercy. Kāpar (כָּפַר, "forgave") means to cover or atone—the sacrificial language pointing to substitutionary atonement.
Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. The phrase hirbâ lĕhāšîḇ ʾappô (הִרְבָּה לְהָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ, "multiplied to turn away his anger") emphasizes God's repeated restraint. ḥēmâ (חֵמָה, "wrath") is burning fury—which God deliberately does not fully unleash. His patience multiplies beyond human comprehension.
This is the psalm's theological heart: God's covenant mercy transcends Israel's covenant breaking. Their faithlessness does not nullify His faithfulness (Romans 3:3-4). This foreshadows Calvary, where God's wrath was fully satisfied in Christ, allowing compassion to triumph over judgment for all who believe.