“"And He remembered that they are flesh, a spirit going and not returning" [Psalm 78:39]. Therefore calling them and pitying them through His grace, He called them back Himself, because of themselves they could not return. For how does flesh return, "a spirit walking and not turning back," while a weight of evil desert…”
Augustine of Hippo, 5th c. — Exposition on Psalm 78
Original
39For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
Modern
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In context
37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
38But 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.
— Psalms 78:39 —
40How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
41Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.