Psalms 99:8
Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
God answers those who call upon Him and forgives them, even while He takes vengeance upon the wrongs they have devised and done. That answering and forgiving stand together with accountability, for He holds His people answerable for the consequences of their deeds.
The inventions upon which that vengeance falls are idols. Mankind was made upright and free from sin, but turned aside to idol worship, and God brought His vengeance upon those idols.
His judgment in this is aimed at evil deeds, not from any wish to destroy persons. He forgives the sinner and labors to separate sinners from their sins in order to destroy sin and to teach the person to do right, for He does not desire the sinner's death.
Only those who remain inseparably devoted to wickedness are at last destroyed, and only after every effort to save them has been exhausted.