Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Instead of just being angry, God's reaction is framed by His deep compassion, actively "atoning" for their wrongs rather than simply overlooking them. This isn't just withholding punishment; it's a proactive covering of their iniquity, showing a profound reluctance to unleash His full fury, even when deserved.
Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their constant cycle of rebellion and God's persistent mercy. The verses leading up to this point recall specific instances where the people tested God's patience through their complaints and sin in the wilderness. This passage emphasizes God's decision not to unleash His full judgment, even when their actions warranted complete destruction.
When we mess up, especially repeatedly, it's natural to expect a full-blown reaction. But God's response is often tempered by something deeper.
This verse highlights a core aspect of God's character: His deep compassion. The Hebrew word used here carries a sense of 'feeling for,' like a parent's empathy for their child (Clarke). It's not that God doesn't see our sin or doesn't have the power to judge it fully, but His nature is to relent.
The Atonement of Compassion
The text says God 'atoned for their iniquity.' This doesn't mean Israel had earned forgiveness, but that God, in His compassion, provided a way to cover or expiate their wrongdoings to prevent total destruction (Poole, Barnes). This points to the ongoing work of God's mercy, anticipating the ultimate atonement through Christ.
Restrained Wrath
God 'restrained his anger' and 'did not stir up all his wrath.' This isn't a sign of weakness, but a deliberate choice. He could unleash His full fury, but His compassion holds it back. He chastens, but doesn't destroy; He's angry, but not to the bitter end (Calvin). This restraint is a testament to His enduring patience.
Why does God hold back His full wrath? It's not just about His nature, but also about His clear understanding of ours.
The psalmist explains why God's compassion leads Him to restrain His anger: 'he remembered that they were flesh' (v. 39). This isn't an excuse for sin, but a recognition of human limitations.
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The Reality of 'Flesh'
'Flesh' here speaks to our mortal, fragile nature. We are temporary beings, like 'a wind that passes away and does not return' (v. 39, Calvin). Unlike God, who is eternal, our lives are brief and prone to decay. God's remembrance of this frailty fuels His pity and patience.
A Reason for Restraint
Because God knows our makeup – that we are temporary and easily broken – He tempers His judgment. He doesn't engage in an endless fight against beings who are fundamentally limited (Barnes). This understanding motivates His mercy, preventing Him from exercising the full severity that our actions might otherwise warrant.
Understand the original words
rachum · Hebrew Adjective
Characterized by deep sympathy, tender mercy, and a disposition to show kindness, especially to those who are suffering or underserving. It is a central attribute of God's character.
kaphar · Hebrew Verb
To cover, cleanse, or reconcile; an act that removes the barrier of sin, satisfying divine justice and restoring relationship between God and humanity.
avon · Hebrew Noun
Moral perversity, guilt, or departure from the right path; the inner distortion or "bentness" of the human nature that leads to acts of sin.
aph · Hebrew Noun
A strong emotional reaction to perceived wrong, injustice, or rebellion; in Scripture, God's anger is a manifestation of His holiness reacting against sin.
chemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, judicial indignation and settled judgment of God against sin, distinct from mere emotional anger, expressing His righteous wrath against all ungodliness.
This verse highlights God's incredible patience and compassion during Israel's forty years in the wilderness. Despite their constant rebellion and testing, He repeatedly held back His full wrath, remembering their human frailty and His covenant promises, a stark contrast to their unfaithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from Egyptian slavery through Moses, a foundational event of their nationhood and covenant relationship.
c. 1445-1405 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
Following their exodus, the Israelites spend forty years in the desert. During this time, they repeatedly grumble, rebel, and test God's patience, despite His continuous provision and guidance.
c. 1405 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
After forty years of wandering, the Israelites finally enter and begin to conquer Canaan, fulfilling God's promises.
c. 1400-1070 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era where Israel cycles through periods of disobedience, oppression by enemies, and deliverance by charismatic leaders called Judges.
c. 1070 BC
Anointing of David
David is anointed king, marking the beginning of a unified monarchy and a more stable, though still imperfect, period for Israel.
This passage describes God's character, emphasizing His compassion, slowness to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, directly mirroring the description of God in Psalm 78:38 and explaining the source of His forbearance.
Numbers 14:18This verse echoes the sentiment of Exodus 34:6-7, stating that God is 'slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will not by any means clear the guilty.' It highlights God's merciful nature despite the consequences of sin, similar to the situation in Psalm 78.
Psalm 103:8-10This psalm further elaborates on God's compassionate nature, stating 'The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.' It explains why God does not deal with us according to our sins, directly supporting the theme of forbearance in Psalm 78:38.
Isaiah 55:8-9This passage emphasizes the vast difference between God's ways and human ways, and His thoughts and human thoughts. It helps explain why God's patience and restraint of wrath, as seen in Psalm 78:38, might seem surprising or contrary to human expectations of justice.
Lamentations 3:22-23This verse speaks of God's mercies being new every morning and His faithfulness being great, even in times of distress. It reinforces the idea of God's enduring compassion and steadfast love, which are the reasons He restrains His full wrath, as depicted in Psalm 78:38.
clarkePsalms 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."
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, i…
pulpitPsalms 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."
Verse 38. - But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity. (On God's compassion, see Exodus 34:6, 7; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8.) And destroyed them not. The allusion is to such occasions as are noted in Exodus 32:10-14; Numbers 14:12-20; Numbers 16:21, 45-50, when God was on the point of destroyin…
Instead of just being angry, God's reaction is framed by His deep compassion, actively "atoning" for their wrongs rather than simply overlooking them. This isn't just withholding punishment; it's a proactive covering of their iniquity, showing a profound reluctance to unleash His full fury, even when deserved.
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their constant cycle of rebellion and God's persistent mercy. The verses leading up to this point recall specific instances where the people tested God's patience through their complaints and sin in the wilderness. This passage emphasizes God's decision not to unleash His full judgment, even when their actions warranted complete destruction.
This psalm reflects on Israel's history, highlighting their constant cycle of rebellion and God's persistent mercy. The verses leading up to this point recall specific instances where the people tested God's patience through their complaints and sin in the wilderness. This passage emphasizes God's decision not to unleash His full judgment, even when their actions warranted complete destruction.
"Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath." — Instead of just being angry, God's reaction is framed by His deep compassion, actively "atoning" for their wrongs rather than simply overlooking them. This isn't just withholding punishment; it's a p…
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Last reviewed October 2026