³⁸ Yet he was merciful;^(A)
    he forgave^(B) their iniquities^(C)
    and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger^(D)
    and did not stir up his full wrath.
³⁹ He remembered that they were but flesh,^(E)
    a passing breeze^(F) that does not return.

⁴⁰ How often they rebelled^(G) against him in the wilderness^(H)
    and grieved him^(I) in the wasteland!