What does Psalm 85:5 mean?
ESV: Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
NIV: Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
NASB: Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
CSB: Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger for all generations?
NLT: Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to all generations?
KJV: Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
NKJV: Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 85:4–7 asks God to once again apply mercy and revival to the people of Israel. This suggests a song written well after the initial restoration—which may have been at the return from exile (Jeremiah 25:11). Israel had an unfortunate habit of spiraling into idolatry (Judges 2:16–19); perhaps the psalmist sensed this this was happening again.
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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