Psalm 78:38–40

38 Yet he was merciful;

he forgave their iniquities

and did not destroy them.

Time after time he restrained his anger

and did not stir up his full wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,

a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and grieved him in the wasteland!

38 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.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh;

A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness,

And grieve him in the desert!

38 Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins

and did not destroy them all.

Many times he held back his anger

and did not unleash his fury!

39 For he remembered that they were merely mortal,

gone like a breath of wind that never returns.

40 Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland.

38 But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,

And did not destroy them.

Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,

And did not stir up all His wrath;

39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,

A breath that passes away and does not come again.

40 How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,

And grieved Him in the desert!

38 Still God was merciful.

He forgave their sins

and did not destroy them.

Many times he held back his anger

and did not stir up all his anger.

39 He remembered that they were only human,

like a wind that blows and does not come back.

40 They turned against God so often in the desert

and grieved him there.

38 But he, being merciful, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not:

Yea, many a time turned he his anger away,

And did not stir up all his wrath.

39 And he remembered that they were but flesh,

A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

40 How oft did they rebel against him in the wilderness,

And grieve him in the desert!

38 But he was merciful: he forgave the iniquity, and destroyed them not; but many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his fury: 39 And he remembered that they were flesh, a breath that passeth away and cometh not again.

40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

38 But he is compassionate. 

He forgave their sin. 

He did not destroy them. 

He restrained his anger many times. 

He did not display all of his fury. 

39 He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, 

a breeze that blows and does not return. 

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness! 

How often they caused him grief in the desert! 

38 Yet He was compassionate;

He atoned for their guilt

and did not destroy them.

He often turned His anger aside

and did not unleash all His wrath.

39 He remembered that they were only flesh,

a wind that passes and does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against Him

in the wilderness

and grieved Him in the desert.

38 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.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,

a wind that passes and does not come again.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and grieved him in the desert!

38 But he was compassionate; he pardoned their guilt

and did not destroy them.

And many times he turned back his anger

and did not stir up all his wrath,

39 for he remembered that they were flesh,

a passing wind that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

and vexed him in the wasteland!

38 But he was full of tender love.

He forgave their sins

and didn’t destroy his people.

Time after time he held back his anger.

He didn’t let all of his burning anger blaze out.

39 He remembered that they were only human.

He remembered they were only a breath of air

that drifts by and doesn’t return.

40 How often they refused to obey him in the desert!

How often they caused him sorrow in that dry and empty land!

38 But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them;

And often He restrained His anger

And did not arouse all His wrath.

39 Thus He remembered that they were but flesh,

A wind that passes and does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness

And grieved Him in the desert!