“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.”
Yet God responds with mercy: "Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; often he restrained his anger and did not stir up all his wrath." The verse shifts focus from Israel's faithlessness to God's hesed (steadfast love, compassion). Despite deserving destruction, the people are repeatedly forgiven; God's mercy restrains judgment.
Church Fathers on Psalms 78:38
1. This Psalm does contain the things which are said to have been done among the old people: but the new and latter people is being admonished, to beware that it be not ungrateful regarding the blessings of God, and provoke His anger against it, whereas it ought to receive His grace....The Title thereof does first move and engage our attention. For it is not without reason inscribed, “Understanding of Asaph:” but it is perchance because these words require a reader who does…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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