Psalm 85:8 Study Bible: I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his faithful ones; but let them not turn again to folly.

◄ Psalm 85:8 ►

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

Study Bible

I will listen
The phrase "I will listen" indicates a posture of attentiveness and readiness to receive divine communication. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of obedience. This suggests that the psalmist is not merely hearing but is prepared to act upon what is heard. In a historical context, listening to God was a central aspect of the Israelite faith, as seen in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), which calls for Israel to hear and obey the Lord. This phrase encourages believers to cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to God's voice, emphasizing the importance of active listening in one's spiritual life.

to what God the LORD will say
This phrase underscores the source of the message: "God the LORD." The Hebrew uses "אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה" (Elohim Yahweh), combining the general term for God with His covenant name, Yahweh. This dual reference highlights both God's universal sovereignty and His personal relationship with His people. Historically, the Israelites understood Yahweh as the God who delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them. The phrase invites believers to recognize the authority and intimacy of God's communication, reminding them that the Creator of the universe is also their personal Redeemer who speaks into their lives.

He will surely speak peace
The assurance "He will surely speak peace" reflects God's intention to bring shalom, a Hebrew word encompassing peace, completeness, and well-being. The certainty of this promise is emphasized by the Hebrew construction, which conveys an unwavering commitment from God. In the biblical narrative, peace is often associated with God's presence and blessing, as seen in the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26). This phrase reassures believers that God's ultimate desire is to bring peace into their lives, encouraging them to trust in His promises and seek His peace amidst life's challenges.

to His people and His saints
The recipients of this peace are "His people and His saints." "His people" refers to the collective community of Israel, God's chosen nation. "His saints" (Hebrew: "חֲסִידָיו," chasidav) refers to those who are faithful and devoted to God. This distinction highlights both the corporate and individual aspects of God's relationship with His followers. Historically, the term "saints" has been used to describe those who live in covenant faithfulness, embodying God's values and commands. This phrase encourages believers to see themselves as part of a larger community of faith, called to live in holiness and devotion to God.

Let them not return to folly
The exhortation "Let them not return to folly" serves as a warning against reverting to foolishness or sin. The Hebrew word for folly, "כֶּסֶל" (kesel), often denotes a lack of wisdom or moral insight. In the biblical context, folly is contrasted with the wisdom that comes from fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). This phrase calls believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God, avoiding the pitfalls of sin and disobedience that lead away from His peace. It serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the faith, urging believers to continually seek God's wisdom and guidance in their lives.

Persons / Places / Events

1. God the LORD
The central figure in this verse, representing the divine authority and source of peace.

2. His People
Refers to the Israelites, God's chosen people, who are recipients of His promises and peace.

3. His Saints
Those who are set apart for God, often seen as the faithful within the community of believers.

4. Folly
Represents the sinful or foolish actions that lead people away from God's will.

5. The Psalmist
The author of the Psalm, traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, who expresses a desire to hear God's voice.

Teaching Points

Listening to God
Emphasize the importance of being attentive to God's voice through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit.

Peace as a Divine Gift
Highlight that true peace comes from God and is a promise to His people and saints.

Avoiding Folly
Encourage believers to seek wisdom and avoid returning to sinful behaviors that separate them from God.

Role of the Community
Stress the importance of being part of a faith community that listens to God and supports one another in pursuing peace.

Trust in God's Promises
Reinforce the assurance that God will fulfill His promises, including the promise of peace.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we actively listen to what God the LORD is saying to us today?

2. In what ways does the peace that God offers differ from the peace the world offers?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid returning to folly in our daily lives?

4. How can being part of a faith community help us in listening to God and experiencing His peace?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's peace in a challenging situation. How did it impact your faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 26:3
This verse speaks of perfect peace for those who trust in God, connecting to the peace God promises in Psalm 85:8.

John 14:27
Jesus promises peace to His followers, a peace that is different from what the world offers, echoing the peace mentioned in Psalm 85:8.

Philippians 4:7
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards the hearts and minds of believers, similar to the peace God speaks to His people in Psalm 85:8.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, contrasting with the folly that God warns against in Psalm 85:8.

Hebrews 12:14
Encourages believers to pursue peace with everyone, aligning with the peace God speaks to His people.

Sermons

Expectancy of Grace	R. Tuck	Psalm 85:8
Hearing the Lord	Homilist	Psalm 85:8
Listening for God's Voice	C. Short	Psalm 85:8
Peace: How Gained, How Broken		Psalm 85:8
Saints Cautioned Against Returning to Folly	A. Swanston.	Psalm 85:8
Self-Pleasing is Folly	R. Tuck	Psalm 85:8
The Believer's Expectation	T. Webster, B. D.	Psalm 85:8
The Return of Prayers		Psalm 85:8
Tidings of Peace to be Spoken to Consciences Distressed		Psalm 85:8
What God the Lord Will Speak	S. Conway	Psalm 85:8
A Psalm of Deliverance; Songs and Sighs	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 85:1-13
Genuine Piety	Homilist	Psalm 85:1-13
Temporal Mercies of Little Avail Without Such as are Spiritual	S. Conway	Psalm 85:1-13
The Responsibility of Favoured Nations	F. H. Darlow.	Psalm 85:1-13

People

Jacob, Korah, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Ear, Folly, Foolish, Godly, Hearts, Ones, Peace, Promises, Return, Saints, Speak, Speaketh, Turn, Voice

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 85:8

     5467   promises, divine
     6703   peace, divine OT
     7155   saints
     8707   apostasy, personal
     8757   folly, effects of

Psalm 85:8-13

4824 famine, spiritual

Library

'The Bridal of the Earth and Sky'
'Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13. Righteousness shall go before Him, and shall set us in the way of His steps.'--PSALM lxxxv. 10-13. This is a lovely and highly imaginative picture of the reconciliation and reunion of God and man, 'the bridal of the earth and sky.' The Poet-Psalmist, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
"Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. IN THESE two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable, and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered, to his surprise and dismay, that he was naked, and he set about at once to make himself a covering. It was a poor attempt which our first parents made, and it proved a miserable failure. "They sewed fig-leaves together." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

The Coming Revival
"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. lxxxv. 6. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. iii. 2. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. cxxxviii. 7. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. lvii. 15. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. He will revive us."--HOS. vi. 1, 2. The Coming …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul I Will Hearken what the Lord God Shall Say Within Me. (1) Blessed is the Soul Which
CHAPTER I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

When a Revival is to be Expected.
Text.--Wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee?--Psalm lxxxv. 6. THIS Psalm seems to have been written soon after the return of the people of Israel from the Babylonish captivity; as you will easily see from the language at the commencement of it. The Psalmist felt that God had been very favorable to the people, and while contemplating the goodness of the Lord in bringing them back from the land where they had been carried away captive, and while looking at the prospects …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
We have spoken of the meaning of this term, inquired into the nature of the change, and noted its essential elements. We have also learned that there are some who do not need it because they are in a converted state, and that all who are not in such a state of Grace, do need conversion, regardless of anything that may or may not have taken place in the past. We inquire now as to the agencies or means by which this change is brought about. For it is a change which man can certainly not effect by his …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

This Conflict None Experience in Themselves, Save Such as War on the Side Of...
7. This conflict none experience in themselves, save such as war on the side of the virtues, and war down the vices: nor doth any thing storm the evil of lust, save the good of Continence. But there are, who, being utterly ignorant of the law of God, account not evil lusts among their enemies, and through wretched blindness being slaves to them, over and above think themselves also blessed, by satisfying them rather than taming them. But whoso through the Law have come to know them, ("For through …
St. Augustine—On Continence

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Angel's Message and Song
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD . And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

"And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,",
1 John ii. 1.--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,", &c. It is the natural office of the conscience to accuse a man in evil doing. As every man by sin is liable to the judgment of the supreme court of heaven, so he is likewise subject to the inferior court of his own conscience, for the most high God hath a deputy within every man's breast, that not only is a witness, but a judge, to fasten an accusation, and pronounce a sentence upon him according to the law of God. And while …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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