Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 89:32

"Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes." — Psalms 89:32 (ASV)

Then will I visit their transgression with the rod - They will be punished, though my mercy will not be wholly taken from them. God has two purposes in his dealings with his backsliding and offending people:

1. To show his displeasure at their conduct, or to punish them;
2. To reclaim them.

All who have been truly converted, or who are truly his people, will be recovered though they fall into sin; but it may be done, and will likely be done, in such a way as to show his own displeasure at their offenses.

And their iniquity with stripes - The word rendered "stripes" properly means a stroke, a blow; then, judgments or calamities such as God sends on humankind as a punishment for their sins (Genesis 12:17; Exodus 11:1; Psalms 38:11).