Psalms 85:2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

נָ֭שָׂאתָ Thou hast forgiven H5375
נָ֭שָׂאתָ Thou hast forgiven
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 1 of 7
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עֲוֹ֣ן the iniquity H5771
עֲוֹ֣ן the iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 2 of 7
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
עַמֶּ֑ךָ of thy people H5971
עַמֶּ֑ךָ of thy people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 3 of 7
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּסִּ֖יתָ thou hast covered H3680
כִּסִּ֖יתָ thou hast covered
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 4 of 7
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַטָּאתָ֣ם all their sin H2403
חַטָּאתָ֣ם all their sin
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 6 of 7
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
סֶֽלָה׃ Selah H5542
סֶֽלָה׃ Selah
Strong's: H5542
Word #: 7 of 7
suspension (of music), i.e., pause

Analysis & Commentary

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. This verse celebrates God's past mercies as foundation for present petition. The perfect tense verbs indicate completed action—God HAS forgiven, HAS covered. The psalmist recounts history to ground current prayer in proven patterns of divine faithfulness. Nasa (נָשָׂא, "forgiven") literally means "to lift, carry away, bear"—God lifted the burden of iniquity from His people, removing sin's crushing weight.

"The iniquity of thy people" (avon amekha, עֲוֺן עַמֶּךָ) refers specifically to covenant community's sin. Avon (עָוֺן) denotes moral perversity, twisted behavior, guilt requiring punishment. This heavier term than mere chata (missing the mark) emphasizes deliberate rebellion against covenant obligations. Yet despite serious offense, God forgave—testimony to grace exceeding sin's magnitude.

"Thou hast covered all their sin" (kisita kol-chatam, כִּסִּיתָ כָּל־חַטָּאתָם) uses sacrificial imagery. Kasah (כָּסָה, "covered") appears in Leviticus regarding atonement—the sacrificial blood covered sin, hiding it from God's righteous gaze. The definite "all" emphasizes completeness—not partial forgiveness but comprehensive coverage. No sin remained exposed to divine wrath. This anticipates Christ's atonement, which covers believers' sins completely (1 John 1:7).

Historical Context

This verse likely references Israel's return from Babylonian exile (538 BC), when God restored the nation despite their covenant violations that precipitated judgment. The exile resulted from persistent idolatry, social injustice, and rejection of prophetic warnings (2 Kings 17:7-23, 24:1-4). Yet God's covenant faithfulness outlasted their unfaithfulness—after 70 years, He brought them home. This demonstrates the principle articulated in Lamentations 3:22-23: God's mercies are new every morning; His faithfulness is great. The language of covering sin recalls the Day of Atonement liturgy (Leviticus 16), where the high priest made atonement to cover Israel's sins annually. The psalm celebrates that God enacted this covering for the nation corporately.

Questions for Reflection