Psalms 78:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Despite their hypocrisy, God's compassion moved him to forgive and restrain his anger.
The Context of Psalms 78:38
Despite the people's insincerity, God's compassion forgave them and restrained his wrath.
What Does Psalms 78:38 Mean?
A sudden shift occurs: despite the damning diagnosis of insincerity and false hearts, God responds with compassion. 'Full of compassion,' he forgave their iniquity and 'destroyed them not.' This is an act of grace—the withholding of the full measure of deserved judgment.
'Many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath' suggests a pattern: God repeatedly chose restraint over destruction. He could have exercised his full judgment but chose instead to limit it. This reveals a character more inclined toward mercy than justice, showing that God's love persists even toward those who are unfaithful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 78:38
What does Psalms 78:38 mean?
Despite their hypocrisy, God's compassion moved him to forgive and restrain his anger.
What is the context of Psalms 78:38?
Despite the people's insincerity, God's compassion forgave them and restrained his wrath.