Psalms 85:2

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

Thou hast forgiven {H5375}{H8804)} the iniquity {H5771} of thy people {H5971}, thou hast covered {H3680}{H8765)} all their sin {H2403}. Selah {H5542}.

taken away the guilt of your people, pardoned all their sin, (Selah)

You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin. [Selah

Context of Psalms 85:2

Psalm 85 is a prayer for national restoration and revival, likely composed after a significant period of divine judgment or distress, such as the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. The psalmist begins by recalling God's past faithfulness and mercy towards His people. Verse 2 is a foundational declaration of God's prior acts of forgiveness, setting the stage for the psalmist's plea for renewed favor and complete restoration. It serves as a confident reminder of God's character, upon which the hope for future blessings is built. This psalm reflects a deep understanding of God's covenant relationship with Israel, where His mercy often follows their repentance and His discipline.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Forgiveness: The verse highlights God's active and gracious initiative in pardoning the "iniquity of thy people." This forgiveness is not earned but freely given by God's benevolent will, demonstrating His profound mercy.
  • Comprehensive Covering of Sin: The phrase "thou hast covered all their sin" emphasizes the completeness of God's forgiveness. It implies that sin is not merely overlooked but actively dealt with, hidden from God's sight as if it never existed. This concept foreshadows the ultimate atonement for sin that would be accomplished through Christ.
  • God's Unchanging Faithfulness: By declaring what God "hast forgiven" and "hast covered," the psalmist affirms God's consistent character of mercy and faithfulness towards His chosen people throughout history, providing a basis for present and future hope. This echoes God's enduring lovingkindness, as seen in Psalm 103:3.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Forgiven" (Hebrew: nasa): The Hebrew word used here means "to lift up," "to bear," or "to take away." It conveys the idea of God lifting the burden of guilt and punishment from His people, signifying a complete removal of the consequence of their sin.
  • "Covered" (Hebrew: kasah): This word means "to conceal," "to hide," or "to atone for." In a theological context, it speaks to the act of expiation, where sin is not just ignored but completely hidden from God's view, often through an act of atonement or propitiation. It is a powerful image of God's thoroughness in dealing with sin.
  • "Selah": This term, appearing frequently in the Psalms, is a musical or liturgical notation. It typically indicates a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or a moment for emphasis. Here, it invites the reader to stop and ponder the profound truth of God's complete forgiveness and covering of sin, allowing its significance to sink in.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers today, Psalms 85:2 offers profound reassurance and hope. It reminds us that God is a forgiving God, willing and able to pardon our iniquities and cover our sins completely. This truth is foundational to our relationship with Him, fostering trust and gratitude. It encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that in Christ, our sins are not merely overlooked but fully atoned for and removed from His sight. This verse invites us to reflect on the depth of God's mercy and to live in the freedom that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven, motivating us to extend forgiveness to others as well.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Micah 7:18

    Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

  • Colossians 2:13

    ¶ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

  • Psalms 32:1

    ¶ [A] Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [whose] sin [is] covered.

  • Numbers 14:19

    Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

  • Acts 13:39

    And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

  • Jeremiah 50:20

    In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

  • Psalms 79:8

    O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

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