Psalms 78:38

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

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.

KJV

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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: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yes, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

78:39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

What does Psalms 78:38 mean?

Psalms 78:38 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רַחוּם (rachûwm), כָּפַר (kâphar), עָוֺן (ʻâvôn).

Hebrew interlinear

But

he,

being

full

compassion,רַחוּםrachûwm/rakh-oom'/H7349compassionate

forgaveכָּפַרkâphar/kaw-far'/H3722to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel

their

iniquity,עָוֺןʻâvôn/aw-vone'/H5771perversity, i.e. (moral) evil

and

destroyedשָׁחַתshâchath/shaw-khath'/H7843to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

them

not:

yea,

many

timeרָבָהrâbâh/raw-baw'/H7235to increase (in whatever respect)

turnedשׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again

his

angerאַףʼaph/af/H639properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

away,שׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again

and

did

not

stir

upעוּרʻûwr/oor/H5782to wake (literally or figuratively)

all

his

wrath.חֵמָהchêmâh/khay-maw'/H2534heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

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Afflictions

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 78:38.

Deuteronomy 4:31

(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Exodus 30:15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. give more: Heb. multiply give less: Heb. diminish

Genesis 15:16

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Genesis 27:45

Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Leviticus 10:17

Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 78:38 say?

Psalms 78:38 (King James Version) 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."

Is Psalms 78:38 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 78:38 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 78:38, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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