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Psalm 78:38
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.
36But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue.
37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant.
38But 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.
39He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.
40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert!
Notice
“Many times” makes God’s restraint striking: the surrounding lines describe repeated rebellion, while this verse records forgiveness and anger turned away.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you notice about “But he” after the lies and unfaithfulness described in verses 36–37?
Write on thisWhat would you want to say to God about the words “many times” in this account?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Lamentations 3:22It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail.Both passages trace the people’s survival to God’s mercy: they were spared destruction because of his compassion.
Malachi 3:6“For I, the LORD, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.Both passages describe God’s people being spared destruction, with Malachi grounding this in God’s unchanging nature and the psalm in mercy.
Lamentations 3:32For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.Both passages speak of God’s compassion alongside his judgment, without denying either his mercy or the pain of his dealings.
Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried …Both passages recount God’s mercy toward his people, expressed through forgiveness and preservation in the psalm, and rescue in Isaiah.
Jonah 4:2He prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please, LORD, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew …Jonah names God as merciful and slow to anger, the same qualities shown when God forgives and turns his anger away.
Numbers 14:19Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until …The prayer in Numbers asks God to pardon iniquity again, while the psalm recounts the repeated forgiveness such a prayer seeks.
Ezekiel 20:17Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn’t destroy them. I didn’t make a full end of them in the wilderness.Both accounts describe God sparing his people from destruction amid their wilderness rebellion.
Numbers 14:18–20‘The LORD is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the …Both passages join forgiveness of iniquity with restraint of anger, while retaining the reality of God’s judgment.
Isaiah 48:9For my name’s sake, I will defer my anger, and for my praise, I hold it back for you so that I don’t cut you off.Both passages describe God holding back his anger so that his people are spared destruction.
James 5:11Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of …Both passages name God’s mercy and compassion, though James points to Job’s outcome and the psalm recounts forgiveness of iniquity.
Nehemiah 9:17and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to …Both accounts recount the people’s rebellion and God’s merciful response, including pardon and restraint of anger.
Isaiah 44:21–22Remember these things, Jacob and Israel, for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant. Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.The shared thread is God’s continued care for his people: Isaiah promises Israel will not be forgotten, while the psalm records mercy.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession. gratitude. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
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Encouragement
The people’s unfaithfulness is plain in the surrounding lines. Yet God forgave iniquity and held back his wrath; his mercy was shown many times.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).