What does Psalm 85:2 mean?
ESV: You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
NIV: You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.
NASB: You forgave the guilt of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah
CSB: You forgave your people’s guilt; you covered all their sin. Selah
NLT: You forgave the guilt of your people — yes, you covered all their sins. Interlude
KJV: Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
NKJV: You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 85:1–3 refers to God's chosen people as His "land" and by mentioning Israel's patriarch, Jacob (Genesis 32:28). This may be looking into the past at a prior event or something current. In either case, it may refer to how God brought the exiled Israelites home from Babylon after seventy years of captivity (Jeremiah 25:11). The next section seems to pray that the Lord would repeat this work of forgiveness and restoration.
Chapter Summary:
This psalm looks back to a time when God forgave Israel and restored them. Perhaps during a new time of backsliding, the psalmist prays that the Lord would repeat this work of healing. The song ends with a hopeful description of God's encouraging attributes and an assumption that He will answer these prayers.
Chapter Context:
No specific event is associated with this psalm. However, mentions of forgiveness and restoration suggest the initial return from foreign captivity. Israel was captured because of their sin (Lamentations 1:5; Jeremiah 25:11) but God promised a return (Ezekiel 37:1–14). Stages of Israel's return are recorded in the book of Ezra. Another possibility is that the psalmist looks back on the return from exile and prays for God to work a similar miracle in the people's hearts once again. Other psalms labeled with the "Sons of Korah" are 42, 44—49, 84, and 87—88.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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