Psalm 78: God's Patience

verse 38: Yet, He, being a merciful God, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; time and again He turned His anger away and did not unleash His full wrath.

The poet used two sources and arranged them in parallel. The events in Egypt and the wilderness life after the exodus are mentioned in succession. Interestingly, the wilderness life comes first, followed by the ten plagues in Egypt. So, the poet went back in time from his present to the past. The Israel that the poet's memory summoned had turned their back on God. Both their ancestors and their descendants were equally off target, like a slack bowstring (verse 57).

However, the poet saw God's forgiveness and unwavering love in himself and David, who were still alive. God's unfailing love was made possible 'through patience.' Israel could exist because of God's patience. Finally, God's patience led to the choice of David. David, with a consistent heart, nurtured Israel and wisely guided them (verse 72). The poet felt the touch of God's unwavering love in David.

What would have been the outcome if God had not been patient with Israel and with me in the present?