psalm-78:38-39,-john-8:1-11-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:32-39

God's tender mercy. This passage describes the conduct of the rebellious and lustful Israelites in the wilderness, and sets forth three things—God's chastisement of their sin; their superficial repentance; God's pitiful compassion. I. GOD 'S CHASTISEMENT OF SIN . ( Psalms 78:33 , Psalms 78:34 .) "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness." 1 . Their sin was sensual indifference to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:38

But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity. (On God's compassion, see Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 ; Numbers 14:18 ; Psalms 103:8 ; Psalms 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 , Numbers 16:45-50 , when God was on the point of destroying the whole people, but relented at the intercession of Moses. Yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 78:39

For he remembered that they were but flesh (comp. Genesis 6:3 ). Flesh is weak, erring, frail—"in us, that is, in our flesh, dwelleth no good thing" ( Romans 7:17 )—God, therefore, who had made them "flesh," had compassion on their weakness. A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again (comp. Job 7:7 ). Man is a mere passing breath—as light, as fleeting, as transitory—"a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away" ( James 4:14 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 78:38

But he, being full of compassion - literally, “But he, merciful,” That is, he was ready to forgive them.Forgave their iniquity - literally, Atoned for, expiated, covered over their iniquity. There is connected with the word the idea of expiation or atonement, as the ground of pardon.And destroyed them not - Did not cut them off in their repeated acts of rebellion. He bore with them, and spared them.Yea, many a time turned he his anger away - literally, He multiplied to turn his anger away. That... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 78:39

For he remembered that they were but flesh - That they were human; that they were weak; that they were prone to err; that they were liable to fall into temptation. In his dealings with them he took into view their fallen nature; their training; their temptations; their trials; their weaknesses; and he judged them accordingly. Compare Psalms 103:14. So it was with the Saviour in his treatment of his disciples, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41. God will judge... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 78:38

Psalms 78:38. But he, being full of compassion Of pity for them amidst their sins and miseries; forgave their iniquity Not simply and absolutely, for in that sense it is undeniably certain from the Holy Scriptures, God pardons none but true penitents, such as these were not; but respectively, and so far as not to destroy them at that time, (which he had threatened to do,) as the next words limit and explain the expression. He remitted their punishment, for iniquity is often put for the ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 78:39

Psalms 78:39. For he remembered they were but flesh He considered the corruption of their nature, which inclined them to evil, and was pleased to make that a reason for his sparing them. See the same argument used to a like purpose, Genesis 8:21. Or, rather, flesh here signifies the frailty and infirmity of their nature, as the next clause seems to interpret this. He considered how weak, and frail, and short-lived they were, and that they could not continue long, but would die of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 78:1-68

Psalms 78:0 Lessons from historyBeing a true teacher, the psalmist is concerned for the spiritual condition of his people. His present intention is to comment on events in the history of Israel so that people of future generations may take heed (1-4). God gave his law to his people to guide them. The record of his faithfulness will be an encouragement, the record of Israel’s failures a warning (5-8).The first reminder is of the stubbornness of the tribe of Ephraim in one of Israel’s early... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 78:38

iniquity. Hebrew ' avah . App-44 . destroyed = laid waste. read more