Psalms 85:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 85:2 declares God's past, decisive acts of forgiveness and the complete covering of the iniquity and sin of His people. This foundational statement serves as the bedrock for the psalmist's subsequent plea for national restoration and renewed favor, establishing God's unchanging character of mercy and faithfulness as the basis for all hope.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 85 is a communal prayer, likely a lament and petition for restoration, structured around a movement from remembrance to plea to hope. The psalm opens with a confident recollection of God's past favor towards His people (vv. 1-3), setting the stage for the urgent request for renewed deliverance (vv. 4-7). This initial declaration of God's completed acts of forgiveness in verse 2 is crucial; it grounds the psalmist's audacious appeal for future mercy in God's proven character. It's as if the psalmist says, "You have done it before, therefore you can and will do it again." The "Selah" at the end of the verse invites a pause to deeply consider this profound truth before moving to the present distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact historical setting is not specified, Psalms 85 is widely understood to be a post-exilic psalm, composed after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity (cf. [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Return from Exile")). Though physically back in their land, the people faced significant challenges: spiritual apathy, economic hardship, unfulfilled prophetic promises, and perhaps continued foreign oppression. The "iniquity" and "sin" mentioned in the verse likely refer to the national transgressions that led to the exile, or perhaps the ongoing spiritual failings of the returned community. Culturally, the concept of "covering sin" was deeply embedded in the Israelite sacrificial system, where atonement rituals were performed to reconcile the people with God despite their covenant breaches (e.g., [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader Old Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Forgiveness**, highlighting God's sovereign initiative and gracious disposition to pardon His people. It underscores **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating that despite Israel's failures, God remains true to His promises of mercy. The declaration of past forgiveness provides the **Foundation for Hope** for future restoration, a recurring motif in post-exilic literature. Furthermore, it touches upon the **Nature of Sin** as something that requires divine intervention to be dealt with, not merely overlooked. This verse also implicitly contrasts God's boundless mercy with human fallibility, echoing the steadfast love of God ([Hesed](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion")) that endures through generations, as seen in passages like [Psalm 103:8-12](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8-12 - God's Compassion and Forgiveness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgiven (Hebrew, _nāśā'_):** This verb literally means "to lift up," "to bear," or "to carry away." In the context of sin, it conveys the profound idea of God actively removing the burden, guilt, and consequences of sin from His people. It signifies not merely overlooking an offense but a complete and decisive act of taking away the weight of moral transgression, thereby releasing the offender from its punitive effects.
* **Covered (Hebrew, _kāsāh_):** Meaning "to cover," "to conceal," or "to hide," this word carries deep theological weight. When God "covers" sin, it implies an act of expiation or atonement, where sin is not just hidden from view but effectively dealt with, rendered inoperative, and removed from God's judicial sight. This concept is closely related to the "mercy seat" (_kappōret_) on the Ark of the Covenant, where atonement was made, effectively "covering" the sins of the people. It suggests a thorough and active process of dealing with sin, not just ignoring it.
* **Selah (Hebrew, _selāh'_):** A term of uncertain precise meaning, frequently found in the Psalms and Habakkuk. It is generally understood as a musical or liturgical notation, indicating a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or a moment for emphasis. Here, it serves as an emphatic underscore, urging the reader or worshiper to halt and deeply ponder the profound, liberating truth of God's complete forgiveness and covering of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the active agent of forgiveness. "Iniquity" (Hebrew _'āwōn_) refers to perversity, guilt, or moral distortion, often implying a deviation from God's righteous path. The use of the past tense ("hast forgiven") highlights a completed, historical act of divine pardon, likely referring to God's mercy shown to Israel after their national sins, such as the Babylonian exile. The phrase "thy people" emphasizes the covenant relationship, underscoring that this forgiveness is extended to those in a special relationship with God.
* **"thou hast covered all their sin":** This second clause, in synonymous parallelism with the first, reinforces and expands upon the idea of forgiveness. "Sin" (Hebrew _ḥaṭṭā't_) broadly means "missing the mark" or falling short of God's standard. The word "all" is crucial, emphasizing the comprehensiveness of God's action—no sin is left uncovered or unaddressed. The act of "covering" signifies a thorough expiation, rendering sin invisible to God's judgment and removing its defiling presence. This is a powerful declaration of God's complete and effective dealing with the entirety of His people's transgression.
* **"Selah":** This concluding interjection serves as a spiritual exclamation mark. It calls for a moment of silence, a deep breath, and an internalizing of the magnificent truth just proclaimed. It encourages the worshiper to meditate on the profound implications of God's complete and gracious pardon, allowing the weight of its meaning to settle upon the heart and mind.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 85:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause, "thou hast covered all their sin," reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first, "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people." This repetition with varied but related imagery serves to reinforce the completeness and certainty of God's forgiving action. The use of **Anthropomorphism** is also evident, as God is described performing human actions like "forgiving" and "covering." This makes the abstract concept of divine pardon relatable and tangible. Furthermore, the strategic use of **Past Tense Verbs** ("hast forgiven," "hast covered") highlights the historical and decisive nature of God's saving acts, grounding the psalmist's present hope in God's proven faithfulness rather than mere wishful thinking. The inclusion of "Selah" functions as a **Rhetorical Device**, compelling the reader to pause and reflect, thereby emphasizing the weight and significance of the preceding declaration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 85:2 stands as a powerful testament to the character of God as a God of abundant mercy and complete forgiveness. It reveals that God's response to human sin is not merely tolerance but active, decisive intervention to pardon and reconcile. This verse underscores the foundational truth that hope for restoration, whether personal or national, must always begin with a recognition of God's prior acts of grace. The completeness implied by "all their sin" points to a comprehensive dealing with human transgression, laying the groundwork for a restored relationship. It teaches that true peace and well-being are inextricably linked to the experience of divine pardon, a truth that echoes throughout the biblical narrative of salvation.

* [Psalm 32:1](/psalms/32-1 "Psalm 32:1 - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven")
* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions")
* [Micah 7:18-19](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18-19 - Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the believer today, Psalms 85:2 offers profound reassurance and a solid anchor for faith. It reminds us that our God is not only willing but has already acted decisively to deal with our sin. This truth should foster a deep sense of gratitude and liberate us from the crushing weight of guilt and shame. Knowing that God has "covered all our sin" empowers us to approach Him with confidence, not based on our merit, but on His boundless mercy. This understanding should also motivate us to live lives that reflect this freedom—not as license for sin, but as an overflow of love and obedience. Furthermore, if God has so completely forgiven us, it compels us to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others, mirroring His character in our relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recalling God's past faithfulness, as declared in this verse, strengthen your hope for present and future challenges in your life?**
* **What does it truly mean for your daily walk with God to know that He has "covered all your sin," and how does this affect your sense of security and peace?**
* **The "Selah" invites a pause for reflection. What specific aspects of God's forgiveness does this verse prompt you to ponder more deeply in your own life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the past tense verbs "hast forgiven" and "hast covered" in this verse?**

Answer: The use of the past tense verbs "hast forgiven" and "hast covered" is highly significant. It emphasizes that God's acts of forgiveness are not merely a future possibility or a general attribute, but *accomplished facts* in Israel's history. These verbs point to specific, decisive interventions by God where He demonstrably pardoned His people's iniquity and dealt with their sin, likely referring to the forgiveness granted after the Babylonian exile or other significant covenant breaches. This historical reality serves as the bedrock for the psalmist's present plea for renewed favor. It grounds hope in God's proven character and past faithfulness, providing assurance that He is capable and willing to act again for His people, as seen throughout the narrative of [God's covenant with Israel](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai").

**How does "covering sin" in Psalms 85:2 relate to the concept of atonement in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The concept of "covering sin" (Hebrew _kāsāh_) in Psalms 85:2 is intimately linked with the idea of atonement (_kāpar_) in the Old Testament. In the Mosaic Law, particularly through the sacrificial system and the rituals of the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), blood sacrifices were offered to "cover" or "make atonement for" sin. This act symbolically removed sin from God's sight, allowing Him to continue to dwell among His people despite their impurity. It did not erase the sin itself in a moral sense but provided a divinely ordained means for God to relate to His people in covenant, despite their transgressions. Thus, Psalms 85:2 recalls God's gracious provision for reconciliation through these divinely appointed means, looking forward to a more complete and permanent covering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 85:2, with its declaration of God's complete forgiveness and covering of sin, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Old Testament sacrifices could only temporarily "cover" sin, requiring repeated offerings ([Hebrews 10:3-4](/hebrews/10-3 "Hebrews 10:3-4 - Sacrifices could not take away sins")), Christ's single, perfect sacrifice on the cross definitively "takes away" the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He is the Lamb of God who bears the iniquity of His people, lifting its burden and removing its guilt once and for all. Through His shed blood, He made full propitiation for our sins, effectively "covering" them from God's righteous judgment by satisfying divine justice ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as a propitiation")). In Christ, believers receive not just a temporary covering, but a complete and eternal pardon, where God remembers their sins no more ([Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - I will remember their sins no more")). The historical acts of forgiveness in Psalms 85:2 foreshadow the ultimate, once-for-all forgiveness offered to all who believe in the finished work of Christ, establishing a new covenant grounded in perfect grace ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.