Meaning of Psalms 85:2

This psalm, likely composed during or after a period of national exile and restoration, reflects on God's past faithfulness and pleas for renewed divine favor. Verse 2, "You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins," is a powerful declaration of God's redemptive action. It asserts that God, in His sovereign grace, has not only pardoned the transgressions of Israel but has also effectively hidden or atoned for their sins, thereby restoring their relationship with Him and enabling their return from captivity. This act of forgiveness and covering is presented as a foundational demonstration of God's character and His covenantal commitment to His people, setting the stage for their continued plea for His presence and blessing.

Context and Background

Psalms 85 is often categorized as a psalm of thanksgiving and petition, likely written during the post-exilic period, after the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. The tone reflects a memory of past divine judgment (implied by the need for forgiveness and restoration) and a hopeful anticipation of God's continued presence and blessing in the rebuilt Jerusalem. The verse specifically looks back to God's gracious intervention that allowed for this return and the cessation of His wrath.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Forgiveness (nasa' avon): The Hebrew word translated as "forgave" (nasa') literally means "to lift" or "to carry." Here, it signifies God lifting away or taking upon Himself the iniquity of His people, implying a complete remission of guilt.
• Atonement and Concealment (kasa sivan): The phrase "covered all their sins" uses the verb "kasa," which can mean to cover, conceal, or atone. In this context, it suggests that God has not only pardoned their sins but has also provided a means by which they are no longer exposed to divine judgment, akin to a covering that hides from view. This points towards a sacrificial or covenantal act that renders the sin ineffective in terms of condemnation.
• God's Covenantal Faithfulness: The act of forgiving and covering sins underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, even in the face of their repeated disobedience.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse speaks to the core of God's character: He is a God of mercy and forgiveness. For believers today, it highlights the profound reality of sin being dealt with completely through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Just as God covered the sins of ancient Israel, He covers the sins of those who trust in Jesus, rendering them righteous in His sight. It encourages a confident approach to God, knowing that our past, present, and future sins have been forgiven and covered.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalms 85:2 is a pivotal verse that foreshadows the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, with its repeated offerings, pointed towards a more perfect sacrifice. This verse encapsulates the essence of that need, which is fully met in the New Testament. God's act of covering sins in the Old Testament was a type and shadow of the complete covering provided by the blood of Jesus, who "once for all" atoned for sin (Hebrews 9:12).

Analogies

Imagine a debt that has been completely paid off by a benefactor, leaving the debtor with no further obligation. Or consider a person who has committed a crime and has been granted a full pardon, their record expunged. In both cases, the consequence of the offense is removed. Similarly, God, in His grace, has paid the ultimate price for our sins and granted us a full pardon, covering us with His righteousness.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 34:6-7: "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty..." This passage establishes God's merciful nature, which is the foundation for the forgiveness described in Psalms 85:2.
• Micah 7:18-19: "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." This passage echoes the theme of God's comprehensive forgiveness and His desire to remove sin entirely.
• Romans 4:7-8: Quoting Psalms 32:1-2, Paul writes, "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin." This directly connects the concept of covered sins in the Psalms to the imputed righteousness of believers in Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 5:19: "that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting men their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." This New Testament verse articulates the reconciliation achieved through Christ, where God no longer counts our sins against us, mirroring the idea of sins being covered.