Psalms 78:31-42

³¹the wrath of God rose against them. He slew the stoutest amongst them, and laid low the young men of Israel.

³²Yet for all this they sinned yet more, and refused to believe in his wonders.

³³So he ended their days in a breath, and their years in sudden dismay.

³⁴When he slew them, then they sought after him, they turned and sought God with diligence.

³⁵They remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their redeemer.

³⁶But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue.

³⁷Their heart was not steady with him, they were faithless to his covenant.

³⁸But he is full of pity: he pardons sin and destroys not. Often he turns his anger away, without stirring his wrath at all.

³⁹So he remembered that they were but flesh, breath that passes and does not return.

⁴⁰But how often they rebelled in the desert, and caused him grief in the wilderness,

⁴¹tempting God again and again, provoking the Holy One of Israel.

⁴²They did not remember his strength, nor the day he redeemed from the foe,