What does Psalms 78:38 mean?

"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." - 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."

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."

Psalms 78:38 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "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."

This verse is part of a larger passage in Psalm 78 that recounts the history of the Israelites and God's faithfulness to them despite their repeated disobedience. The verse speaks to the character of God, highlighting his compassion and forgiveness, and his willingness to relent from punishment.

The themes present in this verse are the compassion and forgiveness of God, the disobedience of the Israelites, and the concept of divine anger and mercy. This verse should be understood in the larger context of Psalm 78, which recounts the disobedience of the Israelites in the wilderness, and how God was patient and merciful towards them despite their repeated rebellions.

The context of Psalm 78 is important for understanding the significance of this verse. The psalmist is recounting the history of the Israelites, from their slavery in Egypt to their time in the wilderness, and their eventual settlement in the Promised Land. Throughout this history, the Israelites repeatedly rebelled against God, turning to idolatry and disobedience. Despite this, God remained faithful to them, showing compassion and forgiveness, and restraining his anger from consuming them.

The verse speaks to the character of God as one who is full of compassion and forgiveness. Despite the disobedience and sin of the Israelites, God chose to forgive them rather than destroy them. This demonstrates the mercy and grace of God, and emphasizes his willingness to forgive and show compassion towards those who have sinned against him.

The verse also touches on the concept of divine anger and the idea of God relenting from punishment. It suggests that God had every right to be angry with the Israelites for their rebellion, but he chose to turn his anger away and not stir up all his wrath. This underscores the idea that God's anger is not unchecked or uncontrollable, but rather that he chooses to show mercy and patience towards his people.

In terms of symbolism, this verse represents the broader theme of God's redemptive love and his capacity for forgiveness. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and compassion towards his people, despite their shortcomings. It also symbolizes the concept of divine mercy and the idea that God's love and forgiveness are always available to those who seek it.

Overall, Psalm 78:38 in the King James Version of the Bible is a powerful reminder of God's compassion and forgiveness, as well as his willingness to relent from punishment. It underscores the idea that God's love and mercy are boundless, and that he is always ready to forgive those who have sinned against him. This verse serves as a source of comfort and hope, reminding believers of the redemptive love of God and his capacity for forgiveness.

Psalms 78:38 Artwork

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."

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."

Psalms 78:8 - "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."

Psalms 78:8 - "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God."

Psalms 78:35 - "And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer."

Psalms 78:35 - "And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer."

Psalms 78:18 - "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."

Psalms 78:18 - "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust."

Psalms 78:10 - "They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;"

Psalms 78:10 - "They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;"

Psalms 78:47 - "He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost."

Psalms 78:47 - "He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost."

Psalms 78:64 - "Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation."

Psalms 78:64 - "Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation."

Psalms 78:22 - "Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:"

Psalms 78:22 - "Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:"

Psalms 78:67 - "Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:"

Psalms 78:67 - "Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:"

Psalms 78:61 - "And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand."

Psalms 78:61 - "And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand."

Psalms 78:44 - "And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink."

Psalms 78:44 - "And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink."

Psalms 78:32 - "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works."

Psalms 78:32 - "For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works."

Psalms 78:41 - "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel."

Psalms 78:41 - "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel."

Psalms 78:17 - "And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness."

Psalms 78:17 - "And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness."

Psalms 78:36 - "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues."

Psalms 78:36 - "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues."

Psalms 78:33 - "Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble."

Psalms 78:33 - "Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble."

Psalms 78:63 - "The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage."

Psalms 78:63 - "The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage."

Psalms 78:59 - "When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:"

Psalms 78:59 - "When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:"

Psalms 78:28 - "And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations."

Psalms 78:28 - "And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations."

Psalms 78:51 - "And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:"

Psalms 78:51 - "And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:"

Psalms 78:37 - "For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant."

Psalms 78:37 - "For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant."

Psalms 78:30 - "They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,"

Psalms 78:30 - "They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,"

Psalms 78:68 - "But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved."

Psalms 78:68 - "But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved."

Psalms 78:2 - "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:"

Psalms 78:2 - "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:"

Psalms 78:9 - "The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle."

Psalms 78:9 - "The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle."

Psalms 78:15 - "He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths."

Psalms 78:15 - "He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths."

Psalms 78:7 - "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:"

Psalms 78:7 - "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:"

Psalms 78:19 - "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"

Psalms 78:19 - "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?"

Psalms 78:56 - "Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:"

Psalms 78:56 - "Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies:"

Psalms 78:46 - "He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust."

Psalms 78:46 - "He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust."