Psalms 85:8

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will hear {H8085}{H8799)} what God {H410} the LORD {H3068} will speak {H1696}{H8762)}: for he will speak {H1696}{H8762)} peace {H7965} unto his people {H5971}, and to his saints {H2623}: but let them not turn again {H7725}{H8799)} to folly {H3690}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am listening. What will God, ADONAI, say? For he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones -but only if they don't relapse into folly.

Berean Standard Bible

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

American Standard Version

I will hear what God Jehovah will speak; For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 85:8 captures a pivotal moment of hopeful expectation within a communal prayer for restoration, as the psalmist declares a resolute intention to listen for God's word. It anticipates God's promised "peace" (shalom)—a comprehensive well-being—for His faithful people and saints, while simultaneously issuing a solemn warning against reverting to the spiritual and moral "folly" that previously led to distress, thereby emphasizing the conditional nature of sustained divine blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 85 is a communal lament and fervent prayer for national restoration, likely composed after a period of judgment or exile. The psalm opens by recalling God's past mercies and forgiveness, specifically His restoration of Jacob from captivity (verses 1-3). It then transitions into an earnest plea for renewed mercy and revival, acknowledging the community's current distress and need for divine intervention (verses 4-7). Verse 8 marks a significant turning point, shifting from petition and lament to a posture of expectant listening, anticipating God's favorable response. This declaration serves as a crucial hinge, bridging the community's heartfelt plea with the subsequent description of God's glorious answer and the anticipated reconciliation where "righteousness and peace kiss each other" as beautifully depicted in [Psalm 85:10](/psalms/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Righteousness and Peace Embrace"). The psalmist's commitment to hear sets the stage for the hopeful vision that follows, articulating the conditions for true restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm is widely understood to have been composed in the post-exilic period, after a remnant of Israel had returned from Babylonian captivity to Judah. While the initial return was a testament to God's faithfulness, the community faced ongoing challenges, including spiritual apathy, economic hardship, and potential threats from surrounding nations. They were grappling with the tension between God's past deliverance and their current struggles, leading to a renewed cry for full restoration. The concept of "peace" (shalom) was deeply significant in ancient Israelite culture, encompassing not merely the absence of conflict but also holistic well-being, prosperity, security, and right relationships—with God, with others, and with the land. The warning against "folly" (kisla) reflects the biblical understanding that national distress was often a consequence of covenant disobedience, idolatry, and moral corruption, as frequently highlighted by the prophets, for instance, in [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Your Own Wickedness Will Punish You").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 85 and the broader Psalter. First, it highlights the theme of **Divine Communication and Revelation**, emphasizing God's active involvement in human affairs and His willingness to speak directly to His people. Second, it underscores the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Restoration**, as the anticipated "peace" is a fulfillment of His promises to His chosen people, a restoration of their holistic well-being. Third, it powerfully conveys the theme of **Human Responsibility and Repentance**, as the warning against returning to folly stresses that sustained divine blessing is contingent upon the people's ongoing obedience and moral discernment. This aligns with the wisdom tradition found throughout [the book of Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs 1 - The Purpose of Proverbs"), which consistently contrasts wisdom with folly, linking the latter to destructive outcomes. The psalmist's expectant posture also embodies the overarching theme of **Hope in God's Deliverance**, a recurring motif in the Psalms.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is God's personal, covenant name, often rendered in English Bibles as "LORD" (all caps). Its use here emphasizes God's self-existent, eternal nature and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The peace spoken is not a generic well-being but a specific, covenantal blessing from the God who reveals Himself and keeps His word, distinguishing Him from all other deities.
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** From H7965, far more than merely the absence of conflict, _shâlôwm_ denotes comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, harmony, and restoration in all dimensions—spiritual, physical, social, and relational. It represents the ideal state of flourishing that God desires for His people, a state of complete reconciliation and rightness that is only fully realized in His presence.
* **Folly (Hebrew, _kiçlâh'_):** From H3690, this term refers to a moral and spiritual foolishness, characterized by a lack of discernment, recklessness, and a disregard for God's ways. It implies an obstinate refusal to learn from past mistakes and a tendency to revert to sinful patterns that lead to suffering and alienation from God's blessings. It is a foolishness born of moral obtuseness, not intellectual deficiency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will hear what God the LORD will speak":** This opening declaration signifies a deliberate and determined posture of attentive waiting and spiritual receptivity on the part of the psalmist, who represents the community. It is a commitment to actively listen for divine revelation and guidance, marking a shift from the act of petition to one of expectant faith, confident that God will indeed respond.
* **"for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints":** This clause expresses the psalmist's confident expectation regarding the content of God's speech. God's anticipated word is one of _shalom_—comprehensive peace and well-being—promised specifically to "his people" (those in covenant relationship with Him) and "his saints" (those set apart and consecrated to Him). This highlights God's benevolent character and His desire for the holistic flourishing of His faithful.
* **"but let them not turn again to folly":** This crucial caveat introduces a conditional element to the promised peace. The sustained enjoyment of God's comprehensive well-being is contingent upon the people's continued faithfulness and moral discernment. "Turning again to folly" implies a relapse into spiritual negligence, disobedience, or idolatry that would disrupt the covenant relationship and forfeit the blessings of _shalom_. It serves as a solemn warning and a call to ongoing vigilance and repentance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, which is evident in the stark contrast between God's promise to "speak peace" and the solemn warning, "but let them not turn again to folly." This opposition highlights the critical choice before the community: embrace divine blessing through sustained obedience or forfeit it through spiritual regression. There is also a strong element of **Anticipation** and **Expectation** conveyed through the psalmist's resolute declaration, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak," which builds suspense and underscores the profound importance of God's forthcoming word. The use of the divine name **Yahweh** (rendered "the LORD") serves as a powerful **Appeal to Authority and Covenant**, grounding the promise of peace in God's unchanging character and His established relationship with His people. Finally, the phrase "his people, and to his saints" uses **Parallelism** to reinforce the identity of the beneficiaries of God's peace, emphasizing both their corporate identity and their consecrated status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 85:8 profoundly illustrates the dynamic interplay between divine initiative and human responsibility within the covenant relationship. God is presented as the benevolent speaker, desiring to impart comprehensive peace (_shalom_) to His people. However, this peace is not an unconditional guarantee but requires a reciprocal commitment from humanity to remain faithful and not revert to the "folly" of disobedience. This theological tension between grace and responsibility is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God's blessings are often contingent upon a posture of receptive obedience and moral vigilance. The verse anticipates the ultimate peace that God desires to establish, a peace that righteousness makes possible and that requires a turning away from the destructive paths of folly.
* [Isaiah 32:17](/isaiah/32-17 "Isaiah 32:17 - The Effect of Righteousness is Peace")
* [Proverbs 14:16](/proverbs/14-16 "Proverbs 14:16 - The Prudent and the Fool")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Peace and a Future")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 85:8 calls believers to cultivate a posture of active, expectant listening for God's voice, especially in times of uncertainty or transition. Just as the psalmist awaited God's word of peace, we are invited to trust that God desires to speak wholeness and well-being into our lives, a _shalom_ that transcends worldly circumstances and offers profound spiritual rest. This peace is a divine gift, but its sustained experience is intrinsically linked to our ongoing faithfulness and obedience. The warning against "turning again to folly" serves as a timeless admonition to guard against spiritual complacency, moral compromise, and a return to patterns of thought or behavior that contradict God's revealed will. True repentance is not merely a one-time event but a continuous turning away from sin and a persistent pursuit of righteousness, ensuring that we remain in a posture to receive and abide in God's promised peace. It challenges us to reflect honestly on areas where we might be tempted to revert to "folly" and to consciously choose wisdom and obedience in our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's "peace" (shalom), and how are you actively cultivating a listening heart to hear His voice?**
* **What forms of "folly"—spiritual apathy, moral compromise, or unrepentant sin—might you be tempted to turn back to, and what practical steps can you take to guard against them?**
* **How does the conditional nature of God's peace in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of grace and human responsibility in your walk with God?**

### FAQ
**What does "peace" (shalom) truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalms 85:8, "peace" translates the Hebrew word _shâlôwm_ (H7965), which is a much richer and more comprehensive concept than merely the absence of conflict. _Shâlôwm_ encompasses holistic well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, harmony, and restoration in all aspects of life—spiritual, physical, social, and relational. When God speaks _shâlôwm_, He is promising a state of flourishing where everything is as it should be, marked by right relationships with Him, with others, and with creation. It signifies a complete and thriving existence, often associated with covenant blessings and God's presence, as seen in passages like the priestly blessing in [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - The Priestly Blessing").

**What is the "folly" that the psalmist warns against?**

Answer: The "folly" (Hebrew: _kiçlâh_, H3690) in this verse refers to a moral and spiritual foolishness, rather than a lack of intellectual capacity. It denotes a stubborn, reckless, or undiscerning attitude that leads to actions contrary to God's will and wisdom. This "folly" often manifests as spiritual negligence, a return to idolatry, disobedience to God's commands, or a disregard for the lessons learned from past suffering. It implies a failure to recognize and adhere to the path of righteousness, which leads to destructive consequences. The warning is against backsliding into the very sins that may have led to the community's previous distress, thereby jeopardizing the renewed peace God desires to bestow. Proverbs frequently contrasts wisdom with this kind of destructive folly, as in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge").

**How does this verse relate to the idea of God speaking to His people today?**

Answer: Psalms 85:8 affirms God's active desire to communicate with His people. Today, God primarily speaks through His inspired Word, the Bible, which is "living and active" and sharper than any two-edged sword ([Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")). He also speaks powerfully through the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth and reminds them of Christ's teachings, as promised in [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth"). Furthermore, God's voice can be discerned through prayer, wise counsel from the community of faith, and the circumstances of life, always in alignment with His revealed Word. The verse encourages a posture of attentive listening and spiritual receptivity, recognizing that God continues to offer guidance, comfort, and His comprehensive peace to those who diligently seek Him and remain obedient to His ways.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 85:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's promised peace and the one who perfectly overcame all folly. The psalmist's eager anticipation to "hear what God the LORD will speak" culminates in the Incarnation, where God did not merely speak words, but "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," full of grace and truth, as declared in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Jesus is our _shalom_, the true Prince of Peace prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace"), who through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, reconciled humanity to God, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and making true peace possible, as explained in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"). He offers a peace "not as the world gives," a divine peace that He bequeathed to His disciples, as recorded in [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace"), a peace that transcends understanding and guards the hearts and minds of those who are in Him, as encouraged in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly lived a life free from "folly," demonstrating perfect obedience to the Father even unto death, and His indwelling Spirit empowers believers to "walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh," as exhorted in [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit"), enabling them to turn from folly and live in the wisdom of God, which is Christ Himself, who "became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" as affirmed in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom"). Thus, the comprehensive peace longed for in the Old Testament is fully realized in Christ, and through Him, His people are empowered to live lives of righteousness, avoiding the folly that separates them from God's complete well-being.

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

Psalms 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Zechariah 9:10

And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.

2 Timothy 2:19

¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Habakkuk 2:1

¶ I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?