King James Version

What Does Psalms 85:8 Mean?

Psalms 85:8 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 85 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Psalms 85:8 · KJV

Peace

Context

6

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7

Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

8

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.

9

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

10

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Read Psalms 85 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse shifts from petition (vv. 4-7) to prophetic listening—the psalmist positions himself to hear God's response. The phrase "I will hear" (eshme'ah, אֶשְׁמְעָה) indicates intentional, attentive listening. In prayer's dialogue, believers speak to God, but must also quiet themselves to hear His response. The psalmist models contemplative prayer—not merely making requests but waiting for divine answer.

"God the LORD" (ha-El Yahweh, הָאֵל יְהוָה) combines two divine names: El (אֵל, emphasizing God's power and might) and Yahweh (יְהוָה, His covenant name). This combination appears rarely but significantly—it emphasizes that the powerful Creator God is also the covenant-keeping relational God. He has both ability and commitment to help His people.

"He will speak peace" (yedaber shalom, יְדַבֵּר שָׁלוֹם) promises divine communication bringing shalom (שָׁלוֹם). Shalom exceeds mere absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, completeness, welfare, prosperity, harmony—comprehensive wellbeing in every dimension. God doesn't merely silence complaints; He speaks restoration, reconciliation, blessing. This peace comes "unto his people, and to his saints" (el-ammo ve-el-chasidav, אֶל־עַמּוֹ וְאֶל־חֲסִידָיו)—covenant community and faithful followers. Chasidim (חֲסִידִים, "saints, faithful ones, godly") describes those who embody chesed (covenant loyalty) in response to God's chesed toward them.

"But let them not turn again to folly" (ve-al-yashuvu le-khislah, וְאַל־יָשׁוּבוּ לְכִסְלָה) appends urgent warning. Kesilah (כִּסְלָה, "folly") means foolishness, stupidity—particularly spiritual foolishness of ignoring God, trusting idols, or disobeying covenant commands. The warning acknowledges human tendency: after God delivers, people forget Him and return to sin. The psalmist prays this cycle won't repeat—that restoration will produce lasting faithfulness, not temporary reform.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophetic Ministry and Israel's Cyclical Apostasy

The psalmist's posture—"I will hear what God the LORD will speak"—reflects prophetic ministry. Prophets stood between God and people, listening to God's word then proclaiming it to the community. This required attentive listening before authoritative speaking. Jeremiah distinguished true prophets (who stood in God's council and heard His word, Jeremiah 23:18, 22) from false prophets (who spoke from their own imagination, Jeremiah 23:16, 26).

God's speaking "peace" fulfills prophetic promises. Isaiah proclaimed: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace" (Isaiah 52:7). Yet peace was conditional: "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:21). True peace came only through repentance, covenant faithfulness, and trust in God. False prophets proclaimed "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11)—promising blessing without addressing sin. Psalm 85 avoids this error—God speaks peace to His faithful people, with warning against returning to folly.

Israel's history tragically demonstrated the cycle the psalmist feared: deliverance, followed by faithfulness, then gradual drift into apostasy, resulting in judgment, prompting repentance, leading to deliverance again. Judges explicitly describes this pattern (Judges 2:11-19): "And the children of Israel did evil... and they forsook the LORD... And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel... And the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them... and the LORD was with the judge... But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves."

The New Testament announces ultimate fulfillment: Jesus is God's peace spoken to humanity. He "preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:17-18). Christ "is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14), having "made peace through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). This peace transcends circumstances: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to "hear what God the LORD will speak," and how can believers cultivate attentive listening to God's voice?
  2. How is the <em>shalom</em> (peace) God speaks different from worldly peace or mere absence of conflict?
  3. Why does the psalmist append a warning against returning to folly immediately after promising that God will speak peace?
  4. What cyclical patterns of deliverance followed by drift into sin appear in your own spiritual life, and how can they be broken?
  5. How does Jesus Christ fulfill God's promise to speak peace, and what does this peace look like in believers' experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֶשְׁמְעָ֗ה1 of 15

“I will hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מַה2 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יְדַבֵּ֬ר3 of 15

“for he will speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

הָאֵ֪ל׀4 of 15

“what God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

יְה֫וָ֥ה5 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֤י׀6 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְדַבֵּ֬ר7 of 15

“for he will speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

שָׁל֗וֹם8 of 15

“peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

אֶל9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַמּ֥וֹ10 of 15

“unto his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְאֶל11 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲסִידָ֑יו12 of 15

“and to his saints”

H2623

properly, kind, i.e., (religiously) pious (a saint)

וְֽאַל13 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יָשׁ֥וּבוּ14 of 15

“but let them not turn again”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְכִסְלָֽה׃15 of 15

“to folly”

H3690

in a good sense, trust; in a bad one, silliness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 85:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 85:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 29:11Revelation 3:19John 14:27Zechariah 9:10Hebrews 10:26-29Habakkuk 2:1

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