Psalm 85 8

Psalm 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.

Psalm 85:8 nkjv

I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.

Psalm 85:8 niv

I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants? but let them not turn to folly.

Psalm 85:8 esv

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Psalm 85:8 nlt

I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.
But let them not return to their foolish ways.

Psalm 85 verses

Psalm 85 8 Meaning

Psalm 85:8 encapsulates a moment of profound anticipation and divine expectation within the psalmist’s prayer. It begins with the psalmist's active decision to listen for God's message, confident that God's characteristic response is to speak words of holistic well-being and reconciliation to His people and saints. This promise, however, carries a crucial condition: the beneficiaries of God’s peace must not revert to spiritual or moral foolishness, emphasizing the importance of sustained obedience and faithfulness for maintaining divine favor and lasting restoration.

Psalm 85 8 Context

Psalm 85 is a communal prayer for national restoration after a period of divine judgment, likely following the return from Babylonian exile. The psalm begins by recalling God's past favor and mercy (vv. 1-3), expressing gratitude for previous forgiveness. However, the present reality is one of continued distress, prompting a renewed plea for God's indignation to cease and His favor to be restored (vv. 4-7). Verse 8 marks a pivotal shift from desperate petition to expectant, hopeful anticipation. The psalmist pauses, turning their gaze from the earthly plea to heaven, declaring a readiness to receive God's answer. This declaration reflects a deep understanding of God's character as the bringer of peace and the desire for genuine spiritual restoration that transcends mere political or material prosperity, extending to the avoidance of past errors that led to suffering.

Psalm 85 8 Word analysis

• I will hear: From Hebrew אֶשְׁמְעָ֗ה (’ešmə‘â), a volitional form of the verb שָׁמַע (shama') meaning "to hear," "to listen," and crucially, "to obey." This is not a passive listening but an active, attentive waiting for God’s word with an implicit commitment to act upon it. It signifies an intentional openness and readiness of heart, characteristic of one seeking divine counsel.
• what God the Lord: Hebrew אֵ֣ל יְהוָ֑ה (’ēl YHVH). "El" signifies God as the mighty, powerful, supreme Being. "Yahweh" (the LORD) is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing Him as faithful to His promises and in relationship with His people. The combination emphasizes God’s majestic authority and His steadfast covenant faithfulness. The psalmist affirms confidence in the Speaker.
• will speak: Hebrew יְדַבֵּ֔ר (yəḏaḇbēr), from דָּבָר (davar), meaning "to speak, to utter, to declare." This verb often implies authoritative, effective, and meaningful speech. God's speaking is not merely communication but an active declaration that shapes reality and conveys truth, intent, or decree. It's His divine message for restoration.
• peace: Hebrew שָׁל֥וֹם (shalom). Far more than just the absence of conflict, shalom encompasses complete well-being, wholeness, prosperity, safety, health, harmony, and reconciliation. It includes inner tranquility, right relationships (with God, others, self), and flourishing in every aspect of life. This peace is the ultimate expression of God’s favor.
• unto his people: Hebrew לְעַמּ֖וֹ (lə‘ammō), referring to Israel, God's chosen nation by covenant. This term emphasizes the communal and corporate nature of the relationship with God. God’s peace is extended to the collective, acknowledging their special status and historical identity.
• and to his saints: Hebrew וְלַחֲסִידָ֑יו (wəlaḥăsîḏāw), from חָסִיד (chasid), meaning "pious one, godly one, faithful one." This refers to individuals within God's people who demonstrate covenant loyalty and devotion. While "people" is a broad designation, "saints" identifies those who live in righteous relationship with God. The parallelism suggests God’s care for both the national entity and the righteous individuals within it.
• but let them not turn again: Hebrew וְאַל־יָשׁוּב֗וּ (wə’al-yāšûḇû), a strong negative prohibition from the verb שׁוּב (shuv), "to turn, to return, to repent." This is a crucial warning. It implies a previous turning away from God, or backsliding, that led to the distress, and thus a warning not to repeat those errors. It implies a condition for sustained peace.
• to folly: Hebrew כִסְלָה (ḵisəlâ), meaning "foolishness, stupidity, or misplaced confidence." In a spiritual context, it signifies a moral and spiritual shortsightedness, rebellion against God's wisdom and commandments, apostasy, or a return to practices that contradict God’s righteous ways. It's more than a simple mistake; it's a profound failure of understanding and loyalty to God that results in devastating consequences.

Words-group analysis:

• "I will hear what God the Lord will speak": This phrase shifts the entire dynamic of the psalm from pleading to expectation. It denotes the psalmist's active decision to cease their petition and now adopt a posture of profound, anticipatory listening to the Sovereign God, confident that a divine word is imminent and purposeful.
• "for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints": This articulates the inherent character and intention of God. His ultimate desire for His chosen collective and His devoted individuals is not judgment, but shalom—holistic restoration, reconciliation, and flourishing. It is the basis for the psalmist's hope.
• "but let them not turn again to folly": This is a vital moral and spiritual condition attached to God's promised peace. It acts as a divine warning and a call to responsible, sustained faithfulness. It indicates that the previous distress was a consequence of "folly" and true restoration requires perseverance in righteous conduct, avoiding backsliding into disobedience, idolatry, or moral laxity. The blessing of peace depends on the sustained obedience of the recipients.

Psalm 85 8 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 85, particularly the transition marked by verse 8, has led scholars to view it as an example of a "prophetic liturgy." The initial petitioning segment gives way to a sacred pause, where the human voice stills, anticipating a divine oracle or word from the temple or through a prophet. This pause is followed by the prophetic utterance in verses 9-13, describing how steadfast love and faithfulness will meet, righteousness and peace will kiss—a profound vision of reconciliation and divine blessings. Thus, verse 8 acts as the gateway to receiving and accepting this divine promise, contingent upon the commitment to not revert to previous sinful ways. The "folly" mentioned is a core theme in wisdom literature, often depicted as walking contrary to divine instruction, leading to ruin. The psalmist's deep awareness of Israel's past failures underscores this critical warning.

Psalm 85 8 Commentary

Psalm 85:8 serves as the pivotal turning point in a psalm of national lament and prayer for restoration. After expressing profound yearning for God’s mercy (vv. 4-7), the psalmist abruptly silences their own voice, declaring an active posture of waiting and receptive listening. The confidence "I will hear what God the Lord will speak" signifies an assurance in God’s willingness and ability to intervene. The foundation of this assurance lies in God’s character: He consistently speaks "peace" (shalom). This is not a superficial absence of conflict, but a profound state of comprehensive well-being, wholeness, and reconciliation—applicable to "his people" (Israel corporately) and "his saints" (those individuals within Israel committed to His covenant). However, the verse immediately introduces a critical cautionary condition: "but let them not turn again to folly." This highlights that the promised divine peace is not unconditional. It requires a sustained commitment to obedience and a steadfast turning away from the moral and spiritual foolishness that historically led to divine discipline and broken communion. This "folly" (kisla) refers to deliberate disregard for God's truth, apostasy, or reversion to sinful patterns. Thus, the verse beautifully intertwines divine grace with human responsibility, revealing that true and lasting peace from God is found in humble, expectant listening coupled with ongoing fidelity to His ways.