Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

PSALMS 99:8KJV
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Psalms 99:8 (KJV)

What does Psalms 99:8 mean?

Psalms 99:8 says that God answered His people when they called out to Him, showing Himself as a God who forgave them but also held them accountable for their actions. The verse highlights both God’s willingness to forgive and His justice in dealing with their wrongdoings.

In this psalm, the writer is speaking to God, remembering how God responded to leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel when they prayed. The verse points out that even though God forgave the people, He still brought consequences for their “inventions”—meaning their misdeeds or rebellious actions. This shows a balance between God’s mercy and His fairness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 99:8

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh, H3068): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His people.
  • forgavest (נָשָׂא, nasa’, H5375): This word often means “to lift up” or “to carry away,” and here it refers to God removing or forgiving guilt. It highlights the idea that forgiveness is an active, gracious act from God.
  • vengeance (נָקַם, naqam, H5358): This word means to take retribution or bring justice. In this verse, it shows that God did not ignore wrongdoing but responded with appropriate consequences.
  • inventions (עֲלִילָה, alilah, H5949): This word means deeds, actions, or schemes—often with a negative sense. Here, it refers to the people’s rebellious or sinful actions, not just innocent mistakes.

Why Psalms 99:8 matters

  • Psalms 99:8 clears up the idea that forgiveness means there are no consequences; the verse shows that God can forgive but still allow people to face the results of their choices.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s character includes both mercy and justice, which is a key theme throughout the psalm and the whole Bible.
  • By recalling how God dealt with leaders in Israel’s history, Psalms 99:8 connects the present worship of God to His consistent actions in the past, encouraging trust in both His forgiveness and His fairness.

Where else these words appear

“inventions” Hebrew H5949 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 22:14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
  • Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
  • Ezekiel 20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

“vengeance” Hebrew H5358 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
  • Jeremiah 5:29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?