Psalms 78:38

  1. Home
  2. KJV Bible
  3. Psalms 78
  4. Psalms 78:38

Old Testament

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

New Testament

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Chapter

Psalms 1 Psalms 2 Psalms 3 Psalms 4 Psalms 5 Psalms 6 Psalms 7 Psalms 8 Psalms 9 Psalms 10 Psalms 11 Psalms 12 Psalms 13 Psalms 14 Psalms 15 Psalms 16 Psalms 17 Psalms 18 Psalms 19 Psalms 20 Psalms 21 Psalms 22 Psalms 23 Psalms 24 Psalms 25 Psalms 26 Psalms 27 Psalms 28 Psalms 29 Psalms 30 Psalms 31 Psalms 32 Psalms 33 Psalms 34 Psalms 35 Psalms 36 Psalms 37 Psalms 38 Psalms 39 Psalms 40 Psalms 41 Psalms 42 Psalms 43 Psalms 44 Psalms 45 Psalms 46 Psalms 47 Psalms 48 Psalms 49 Psalms 50 Psalms 51 Psalms 52 Psalms 53 Psalms 54 Psalms 55 Psalms 56 Psalms 57 Psalms 58 Psalms 59 Psalms 60 Psalms 61 Psalms 62 Psalms 63 Psalms 64 Psalms 65 Psalms 66 Psalms 67 Psalms 68 Psalms 69 Psalms 70 Psalms 71 Psalms 72 Psalms 73 Psalms 74 Psalms 75 Psalms 76 Psalms 77 Psalms 78 Psalms 79 Psalms 80 Psalms 81 Psalms 82 Psalms 83 Psalms 84 Psalms 85 Psalms 86 Psalms 87 Psalms 88 Psalms 89 Psalms 90 Psalms 91 Psalms 92 Psalms 93 Psalms 94 Psalms 95 Psalms 96 Psalms 97 Psalms 98 Psalms 99 Psalms 100 Psalms 101 Psalms 102 Psalms 103 Psalms 104 Psalms 105 Psalms 106 Psalms 107 Psalms 108 Psalms 109 Psalms 110 Psalms 111 Psalms 112 Psalms 113 Psalms 114 Psalms 115 Psalms 116 Psalms 117 Psalms 118 Psalms 119 Psalms 120 Psalms 121 Psalms 122 Psalms 123 Psalms 124 Psalms 125 Psalms 126 Psalms 127 Psalms 128 Psalms 129 Psalms 130 Psalms 131 Psalms 132 Psalms 133 Psalms 134 Psalms 135 Psalms 136 Psalms 137 Psalms 138 Psalms 139 Psalms 140 Psalms 141 Psalms 142 Psalms 143 Psalms 144 Psalms 145 Psalms 146 Psalms 147 Psalms 148 Psalms 149 Psalms 150

Verse

Psalms 78:1 Psalms 78:2 Psalms 78:3 Psalms 78:4 Psalms 78:5 Psalms 78:6 Psalms 78:7 Psalms 78:8 Psalms 78:9 Psalms 78:10 Psalms 78:11 Psalms 78:12 Psalms 78:13 Psalms 78:14 Psalms 78:15 Psalms 78:16 Psalms 78:17 Psalms 78:18 Psalms 78:19 Psalms 78:20 Psalms 78:21 Psalms 78:22 Psalms 78:23 Psalms 78:24 Psalms 78:25 Psalms 78:26 Psalms 78:27 Psalms 78:28 Psalms 78:29 Psalms 78:30 Psalms 78:31 Psalms 78:32 Psalms 78:33 Psalms 78:34 Psalms 78:35 Psalms 78:36 Psalms 78:37 Psalms 78:38 Psalms 78:39 Psalms 78:40 Psalms 78:41 Psalms 78:42 Psalms 78:43 Psalms 78:44 Psalms 78:45 Psalms 78:46 Psalms 78:47 Psalms 78:48 Psalms 78:49 Psalms 78:50 Psalms 78:51 Psalms 78:52 Psalms 78:53 Psalms 78:54 Psalms 78:55 Psalms 78:56 Psalms 78:57 Psalms 78:58 Psalms 78:59 Psalms 78:60 Psalms 78:61 Psalms 78:62 Psalms 78:63 Psalms 78:64 Psalms 78:65 Psalms 78:66 Psalms 78:67 Psalms 78:68 Psalms 78:69 Psalms 78:70 Psalms 78:71 Psalms 78:72

Psalms 78:38 KJV

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.

Previous Verse
« Psalms 78:37
Next Verse
Psalms 78:39 »

Psalms 78:38 Bible Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 78:38

Psalms 78:38 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."

Introduction

This verse is a profound testament to the character of God as depicted in the Psalms. It offers insight into His compassion and mercy, particularly in the context of Israel's repeated iniquities. In this commentary, we will draw from the insights of notable public domain commentators such as Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke to enrich our understanding of this verse.

Divine Compassion

Matthew Henry highlights God’s merciful nature, noting that "He, being full of compassion," signifies an essential attribute of God. The repetition of the Israelites’ sins juxtaposed against God’s enduring compassion reveals the depth of divine mercy. God’s readiness to forgive, despite human failings, points to a relational God who seeks to restore rather than destroy.

This compassion is described as overflowing; it is not a mere fleeting emotion but encompasses the very essence of God’s interaction with His people. Adam Clarke points out that this verse illustrates the balance of God's justice and mercy, suggesting that while He is just in judging sin, His mercy prevails in His desire to redeem and restore.

The Nature of Forgiveness

Albert Barnes emphasizes that the phrase "forgave their iniquity" demonstrates the proactive nature of God’s forgiveness. He freely chooses to pardon the sins of His people rather than allowing the consequences to be fully realized as one might expect from a sovereign judge. This aspect of God’s character encourages believers to approach Him with hope and repentance, knowing that forgiveness is readily available.

Forgiveness in this context does not indicate the absence of accountability; rather, it denotes God's willingness to engage with humanity despite disobedience. This theme of forgiveness, central to the Christian message, should inspire ministers and theologians to reflect God’s mercy in their own lives and ministries.

The Restraint of Divine Anger

The verse further states that "yea, many a time turned he his anger away." Matthew Henry suggests that God’s restraint of anger illustrates His long-suffering nature, revealing a patient deity who allows time for repentance. This notion contradicts the idea of a ruthless God and underscores His desire for reconciliation rather than punishment.

  • Long-suffering: God’s patience with His people is a recurring theme in Scripture, reinforcing the belief that God often allows consequences to unfold slowly to provide opportunities for repentance.
  • Turning away wrath: God’s decision to "not stir up all his wrath" is a reflection of His ultimate goal: a restored relationship with His creation.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, this verse encapsulates core doctrines of grace and mercy. Adam Clarke recognizes that God's compassion does not negate His justice; rather, it complements it. The interplay of mercy and justice forms the foundation on which the believer's understanding of salvation is built. God's forgiveness serves as a model for personal and communal repentance within the church.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages various applications for both individual believers and church communities:

  • Emphasizing forgiveness: Pastors should proclaim the message of forgiveness and strive to create an inclusive environment where people can seek repentance without fear of condemnation.
  • Promoting compassion: Encouragement to embody compassion as demonstrated by God can transform communities. It compels believers to extend grace to one another.
  • Engaging in self-reflection: Individuals are prompted to reflect on their own lives; understanding God’s compassion should inspire a desire to replicate those qualities within their own relationships.
  • Encouraging patience: In dealings with others, believers are reminded to practice long-suffering and patience, recognizing that everyone is in a process of growth.

Conclusion

Psalms 78:38 presents a powerful reminder of God’s compassionate nature and His unyielding desire to forgive. Drawing insights from renowned commentators like Matthew Henry, Albert Barnes, and Adam Clarke paints a rich picture of a God who embodies mercy. Understanding this nature not only deepens our relationship with God but also transforms how we live and interact within our communities. As we embrace the truth of this passage, may we too become vessels of God’s compassion and grace in the world.

Psalms 78 (KJV) Verse Selection

Psalms 78:1 Psalms 78:2 Psalms 78:3 Psalms 78:4 Psalms 78:5 Psalms 78:6 Psalms 78:7 Psalms 78:8 Psalms 78:9 Psalms 78:10 Psalms 78:11 Psalms 78:12 Psalms 78:13 Psalms 78:14 Psalms 78:15 Psalms 78:16 Psalms 78:17 Psalms 78:18 Psalms 78:19 Psalms 78:20 Psalms 78:21 Psalms 78:22 Psalms 78:23 Psalms 78:24 Psalms 78:25 Psalms 78:26 Psalms 78:27 Psalms 78:28 Psalms 78:29 Psalms 78:30 Psalms 78:31 Psalms 78:32 Psalms 78:33 Psalms 78:34 Psalms 78:35 Psalms 78:36 Psalms 78:37 Psalms 78:38 Psalms 78:39 Psalms 78:40 Psalms 78:41 Psalms 78:42 Psalms 78:43 Psalms 78:44 Psalms 78:45 Psalms 78:46 Psalms 78:47 Psalms 78:48 Psalms 78:49 Psalms 78:50 Psalms 78:51 Psalms 78:52 Psalms 78:53 Psalms 78:54 Psalms 78:55 Psalms 78:56 Psalms 78:57 Psalms 78:58 Psalms 78:59 Psalms 78:60 Psalms 78:61 Psalms 78:62 Psalms 78:63 Psalms 78:64 Psalms 78:65 Psalms 78:66 Psalms 78:67 Psalms 78:68 Psalms 78:69 Psalms 78:70 Psalms 78:71 Psalms 78:72

KJV Bible Books

KJV Bible Books and Chapters »