What is the meaning of Psalm 85:8? I will listen • The psalmist begins with a deliberate choice to quiet his own voice. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) echoes the same posture. • Listening is active, not passive—“Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). • Obedience is implied: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22). • Like Jesus withdrawing to solitary places to pray (Mark 1:35), we create space for God’s voice rather than the noise of culture and self. to what God the LORD will say • The double name “God the LORD” highlights absolute authority; His word carries weight that no other voice bears (Hebrews 1:1-2). • Scripture is His primary speech today—“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3; quoted by Jesus in Matthew 4:4). • He invites us to expect clarity: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). for He will surely speak peace • Peace is not wishful thinking; it is a certainty grounded in His character. “The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11). • Jesus confirmed this promise: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you” (John 14:27). • Biblical peace (shalom) has layers: – Inner rest that guards the heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). – Relational harmony that mends divisions (Ephesians 2:14). – Confidence in His sovereign care even when circumstances shake (Isaiah 26:3). to His people and His saints • “His people” recalls the covenant community (Exodus 19:5-6), while “His saints” points to those set apart in wholehearted devotion (Psalm 4:3). • In Christ, both designations meet: believers are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). • God’s peace is meant for every member of His household; no one who trusts Him is left out (Ephesians 2:19). He will not let them return to folly • Peace is paired with protection from relapse. “Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11), yet the Lord guards His own. • His discipline keeps us from destructive detours (Hebrews 12:10-11). • Ultimately He is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before His glorious presence” (Jude 24). • Assurance and accountability walk hand in hand: the Good Shepherd both comforts and corrects (John 10:27-28). summary Psalm 85:8 invites a listener’s heart that prizes God’s authoritative voice, expects His peace, embraces identity as His covenant people, and relies on His preserving grace to remain free from past foolishness. |
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