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Psalms 85:2

Psalms 85:2 in Multiple Translations

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

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

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

The wrongdoing of your people had forgiveness; all their sin had been covered. (Selah.)

You took away your people's guilt; you forgave all their sins. Selah.

Thou hast forgiuen the iniquitie of thy people, and couered all their sinnes. Selah.

Thou hast borne away the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah.

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

Preserve my soul, for I am holy: save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.

You forgave us, your people, for the sins that we had committed; you pardoned us for all our sins [DOU]. (Think about that!)

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 85:2

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 85:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB רָצִ֣יתָ יְהוָ֣ה אַרְצֶ֑/ךָ שַׁ֝֗בְתָּ שבות שְׁבִ֣ית יַעֲקֹֽב
רָצִ֣יתָ râtsâh H7521 to accept V-Qal-Perf-2ms
יְהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
אַרְצֶ֑/ךָ ʼerets H776 land N-cs | Suff
שַׁ֝֗בְתָּ shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Perf-2ms
שבות shᵉbûwth H7622 captivity N-fs
שְׁבִ֣ית shᵉbûwth H7622 captivity N-fs
יַעֲקֹֽב Yaʻăqôb H3290 Jacob N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 85:2

רָצִ֣יתָ râtsâh H7521 "to accept" V-Qal-Perf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to accept or be pleased with something, like God accepting our prayers. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, showing God's favor towards us. This word is about being satisfied or delighted.
Definition: 1) to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favourably 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be pleased with, be favourable to 1a2) to accept 1a3) to be pleased, be determined 1a4) to make acceptable, satisfy 1a5) to please 1b) (Niphal) to be accepted, be pleased with 1c) (Piel) to seek favour of 1d) (Hiphil) to please, pay off 1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself acceptable or pleasing
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: (be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please(-ure), reconcile self. See also: Genesis 33:10; Psalms 50:18; Psalms 40:14.
יְהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אַרְצֶ֑/ךָ ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
שַׁ֝֗בְתָּ shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
שבות shᵉbûwth H7622 "captivity" N-fs
This word refers to captivity or being held prisoner. It appears in 2 Kings 25:11 and Jeremiah 52:15, describing the Babylonian exile. The KJV translates it as 'captive' or 'captivity'.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 2) defeat, reversed fortunes
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity). See also: Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 33:26; Psalms 14:7.
שְׁבִ֣ית shᵉbûwth H7622 "captivity" N-fs
This word refers to captivity or being held prisoner. It appears in 2 Kings 25:11 and Jeremiah 52:15, describing the Babylonian exile. The KJV translates it as 'captive' or 'captivity'.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 2) defeat, reversed fortunes
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: captive(-ity). See also: Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 33:26; Psalms 14:7.
יַעֲקֹֽב Yaʻăqôb H3290 "Jacob" N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.

Study Notes — Psalms 85:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
2 Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
3 Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
4 Numbers 14:19 Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
5 Psalms 79:8–9 Do not hold past sins against us; let Your compassion come quickly, for we are brought low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name.
6 Jeremiah 50:20 In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, a search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.
7 Acts 13:39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
8 Psalms 78:38 And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.

Psalms 85:2 Summary

This verse tells us that God forgives the wrong things His people have done and covers their sin, which means He doesn't hold it against them. This is a wonderful reminder that God loves us and wants us to be close to Him, even when we mess up. Just like in Psalm 103:12, where it says our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west, God's forgiveness is complete and total. We can trust that when we ask for forgiveness, God will forgive us and cover our sin, just as He promises in 1 John 1:9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to 'forgive the iniquity' of His people?

This means that God chooses not to punish or hold against us the wrong things we have done, as seen in Psalms 103:12, where it says our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west.

How does God 'cover all their sin'?

This means God hides our sin from His sight, much like in Romans 4:7-8, where it says our sins are covered, and in Psalm 32:1, where it says we are blessed when our sin is covered.

What is the significance of 'Selah' at the end of the verse?

Selah is a musical term that means to pause or reflect, indicating that the reader should stop and consider the weight of God's forgiveness, as seen in many places throughout the Psalms, such as Psalms 3:2 and Psalms 24:6.

How can we apply the concept of God's forgiveness in our own lives?

We can apply this by remembering that just as God forgave the iniquity of His people, He also forgives us through Jesus Christ, according to Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14, and by asking for forgiveness in our prayers, as seen in Matthew 6:12 and Luke 11:4.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I have experienced God's forgiveness in my life, and how has it impacted me?
  2. How can I reflect on God's forgiveness and let it sink deeper into my heart, especially when I feel guilty or ashamed?
  3. What are some sins or mistakes from my past that I still struggle to forgive myself for, and how can I apply the concept of God covering my sin to those areas?
  4. How can I extend God's forgiveness to others, just as He has forgiven me, and what does that look like in my daily relationships?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 85:2

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people,.... Took it from them, and laid it on Christ, who has bore it, and took it away, so as it shall never return more to their destruction; and by the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 85:2

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 85:2

So as not to impute it to them, or to continue the punishment which thou didst inflict upon them for it.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 85:2

Psalms 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.Ver. 2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity, &c.] This is worthily mentioned as a main mercy, as a chief fruit of free grace. Thou hast covered all their sins] That that filthy thing may be no longer an eyesore unto thee. In the original there are six homoioteleuta, which is an elegancy not to be translated into English.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 85:2

(2) Forgiven.—Rather, taken away. (See Psalms 32:1.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 85:2

Verse 2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity] נשאת עון nasatha avon, Thou hast borne, or carried away, the iniquity. An allusion to the ceremony of the scapegoat. Thou hast covered all their sin.] As thou hast freely forgiven it, its offensiveness and abominable nature no longer appear. The whole is put out of sight; and, as we are restored from our captivity, the consequences no longer appear. Selah.] This is true. Our return to our own land is the full proof.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 85:2

2. The Heb. words describe sin (1) as depravity or moral distortion; (2) as a wandering from the way, or missing the mark; and forgiveness (1) as the removal of a burden, (2) as the covering of the offence, which would otherwise meet the eye of the judge and call for punishment. Cp. Psalms 32:1-2; Psalms 32:5.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 85:2

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people - That is, These calamities came upon them in consequence of their sins, and thou hast dealt with them as if those sins were forgiven.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 85:2

2. Forgiven the iniquity… covered all their sin—Strong expressions. “Forgiven,”—literally, is borne away—where sin is conceived as a burden of the conscience, and the bearing it away an expiation. Isaiah 53:4; Isaiah 53:12.

Sermons on Psalms 85:2

SermonDescription
St. Augustine Exposition on Psalm 85 by St. Augustine St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms, emphasizing the significance of Christ as the end of the law and the Truth and Way to which believers should fix their gaze. He delves into th
A.W. Tozer (1 Peter - Part 2): God's Abundant Mercy by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a man who wanted to look presentable before going to a fine place. However, he was rejected because the artist wanted him as he wa
David Wilkerson God Is Forgiveness by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the increasing power of temptation in the modern world, particularly through the internet and television. He highlights the negative impact
Mark Greening Revival Now by Mark Greening In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to constantly be revived and restored to God, even after being saved. He shares his personal experience of realizing
Oswald J. Smith The Prophecy of Micah by Oswald J. Smith In this sermon, the speaker discusses the fulfillment of predictions made by prophets regarding the destruction of Jerusalem. The speaker highlights that these predictions were lit
Paul Washer Baptism and the Gospel by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of remembering what God has done for us. He then introduces the topic of the gospel and its significance. The speak
Gerhard Du Toit Helps in Soul-Winning by Gerhard Du Toit In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the condition of man as lost in order to effectively share the gospel. He mentions conducting seminars on sou

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