Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

PSALMS 85:4KJV
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Psalms 85:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 85:4 mean?

Psalms 85:4 is a prayer asking God to restore His people and to put an end to His anger toward them. The verse expresses a desire for reconciliation, with the speaker asking God to turn them back to Himself and to stop being angry.

The psalm is spoken by the community of Israel, likely after a time of hardship or exile, addressing God directly as the one who can save them. The verse shows the people’s awareness that only God (called "the God of our salvation") can bring about true restoration, and that His anger must be lifted for them to experience peace again.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 85:4

  • Turn (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means "to return" or "to restore." Here, it carries the sense of asking God to bring the people back into a right relationship with Him, not just a physical return but a spiritual renewal.
  • Anger (כַּעַס, ka'as): This word points to a deep, ongoing displeasure. The plea is not just for a momentary pause in God’s anger, but for it to truly cease.
  • Cease (פָּרַע, para): This word can mean "to let go" or "to stop." The request is for God to completely release His anger, not just to lessen it.

Why Psalms 85:4 matters

  • The verse clarifies that restoration is something God must initiate; the people recognize their dependence on God’s action, not just their own repentance.
  • By calling God "the God of our salvation," the verse ties forgiveness and restoration directly to God’s character and past acts of deliverance.
  • This prayer sets up the rest of the psalm, which continues to ask for God’s mercy and looks forward to a time of renewed blessing and peace.

Where else these words appear

“anger” Hebrew H3708 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
  • Job 6:2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
  • Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

“salvation” Hebrew H3468 · used in 35 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
  • Psalms 85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

“cease” Hebrew H6565 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Isaiah 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.