Question 1

What does Psalms 85:2 mean?

Accepted Answer

Psalms 85:2 describes God forgiving the wrongdoing of His people and covering all their sins. The verse emphasizes a complete act of mercy, where God chooses not to hold past failures against the community. The psalm is a prayer, likely spoken by a leader or representative of Israel, looking back on a time when God restored the nation after trouble. The verse highlights how God’s forgiveness was not partial but total—He “covered” every sin, meaning He chose to put them out of sight. The word “Selah” signals a pause, inviting the listener to reflect on the depth of this forgiveness.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Psalms 85:2

Accepted Answer

“forgiven” (נָשָׂא, nāśā’): This word often means “to lift up” or “to carry away.” Here, it paints a picture of God lifting the burden of wrongdoing off His people, not just overlooking but actively removing it. “covered” (כָּסָה, kāsāh): This word means “to cover over” or “conceal.” In this context, it suggests that God hides the sins so they are no longer seen or counted against the people. “iniquity” (עָוֹן, ʿāwōn) and “sin” (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh): These words cover both intentional wrongdoing and general failure, showing the completeness of God’s forgiveness. “Selah” (סֶלָה, selāh): This term likely signals a pause for reflection, underlining the importance of what was just said.

Question 3

Why Psalms 85:2 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse clarifies that God’s forgiveness is thorough—He does not just forgive some sins but covers “all” of them, which would have been deeply reassuring to ancient Israel. By using both “iniquity” and “sin,” the psalmist stresses that God’s mercy extends to every kind of moral failure, not just minor mistakes. The verse connects to the wider psalm, which is about restoration after hardship, showing that forgiveness is the foundation for renewed hope and relationship with God.

Psalms 85:2 (KJV)