Psalms 78:38

This verse describes the general attributes of God, in virtue of which (Psalms 78:39) He spared Israel in spite of their guilt. Render:

But he, being full of compassion, forgiveth iniquity and destroyeth not,

And offtimes turneth his anger away,

And stirreth not up all his wrath.

Cp. Exodus 34:6-7; Exodus 32:10; Exodus 32:12; Numbers 14:18 ff.; Deuteronomy 4:31.

" V. 38 is, according to Kiddushin30 a, the middle of the 5896 lines (στίχοι) of the Psalter. According to Maccoth22 b, Psalms 78:38 and Deuteronomy 28:58-59; Deuteronomy 29:8 were recited, when the forty stripes save one, which Paul five times suffered (2 Corinthians 11:24), were inflicted on the offender." (Delitzsch).