Psalm 85:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

NIV: I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.

NASB: I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; And may they not turn back to foolishness.

CSB: I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to his people, his faithful ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.

NLT: I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

KJV: I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

NKJV: I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

Psalm 85:8–13 promises to listen closely to God's words. The first sections of this psalm suggest a prayer to heal a backsliding nation. God had forgiven and restored Israel once before (Psalm 85:1–3). There is an appeal for the Lord to do this once again (Psalm 85:4–7). In the closing section, the psalmist depicts an intersection between God's attributes of love and righteousness leading to a blessing on Israel.

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.

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.

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.

Accessed 11/21/2024 11:40:50 AM