You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse uses two distinct, powerful images to describe God's forgiveness: He "forgives" (or "takes away") iniquity and "covers" sin. This isn't just a general pardon; the original words evoke the imagery of lifting away a heavy burden and completely hiding something from view, suggesting a profound restoration and protection from divine justice.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a powerful remembrance of God's past faithfulness, specifically recalling how He forgave and atoned for the sins of His people. This reflection sets the stage for a plea for renewed mercy and restoration from a present hardship, reminding God of His character and past actions towards them. The verse highlights that God's forgiveness is complete, covering all their iniquity, which is presented as the foundation for their hope of future deliverance.
Have you ever felt like your sin is too big to ever be truly gone? This verse paints a powerful picture of God's complete forgiveness.
The Psalmist uses two strong verbs to describe God's action: 'forgave' and 'covered.'
Taking Away Iniquity
The word for 'forgave' here doesn't just mean to overlook or excuse. It carries the sense of 'taking away' or 'lifting.' Imagine God picking up the heavy burden of your sin and carrying it away completely. This isn't just a temporary fix; it's a profound removal.
The Ultimate Covering
The word 'covered' is deeply significant. It speaks to hiding sin so it cannot be seen, especially by God's justice. This 'covering' isn't about human effort or trying to hide our own shame. It points to a divine act of atonement, where sin is fully concealed and its consequences are nullified.
Why does the text tell us to pause right after declaring God's forgiveness? It's an invitation to a deeper experience.
The word 'Selah' is a musical or liturgical direction, often understood as a command to pause, reflect, or lift up praise.
A Moment of Wonder
Placing 'Selah' after the declaration that God has forgiven and covered all sin is intentional. It's a cue for the worshipper to stop and marvel at the sheer magnitude of this act. It’s not just a statement of fact, but a catalyst for awe.
Ask a follow-up
From Forgiveness to Restoration
This pause is where the heart truly grasps what God has done. It's the space where the reality of forgiveness leads to the anticipation of restoration, knowing that because sin is dealt with, favor and deliverance can return.
Understand the original words
avon · Hebrew Noun
Moral perversity, guilt, or the crookedness of behavior that violates God's standard, requiring divine pardon.
kasah · Hebrew Verb
The act of Atonement; literally to 'cover over,' signifying the removal of guilt from God’s sight through sacrifice or grace.
chatta'ah · Hebrew Noun
Missing the mark of God's holy standard; moral failure that separates humanity from a holy God.
selah · Hebrew Noun
A liturgical or musical notation, likely meaning 'pause' or 'lift up,' indicating a moment for reflection on the preceding truth.
This psalm reflects on the immense relief and joy of God's people returning from exile. The 'forgiveness' and 'covering' of sin speak not just to a past cleansing, but to God's tangible restoration of His people after their national punishment, allowing them to rebuild and worship again.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, marking a devastating national catastrophe for Judah.
c. 586-538 BC
Babylonian Exile
Many Judeans are exiled to Babylon, experiencing profound loss and separation from their land and religious practices.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree
King Cyrus of Persia allows the exiled Judeans to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
The Second Temple is completed in Jerusalem, a significant symbol of national and religious restoration.
Post-Exilic Period— this verse
Return and Restoration
The returnees face immense challenges rebuilding their lives and community, often struggling with lingering effects of sin and God's discipline.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 85:2, using the very same imagery of God 'covering' or 'taking away' sin, highlighting the blessedness of such forgiveness.
Leviticus 16:11-14This describes the Day of Atonement ritual where the High Priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat to 'cover' the sins of the people, providing a Levitical backdrop to the concept of God covering sins.
Exodus 30:10This verse speaks of the High Priest making atonement upon the horns of the altar once a year, to 'make atonement for your sins,' linking the act of covering sin with a specific ritual for atonement.
Romans 5:8This New Testament passage echoes the heart of Psalm 85:2 by showing God's love demonstrated in Christ's death while we were still sinners, signifying God's proactive forgiveness and covering of our sins.
Micah 7:19This verse powerfully declares God's willingness to 'again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea,' emphasizing the completeness of God's forgiveness and covering.
pulpitPsalms 85:2: "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah."
Verse 2. - Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sin. God's remission of punishment, and restoration of his people to favour, was a full indication that he had "forgiven their iniquity" and "covered their sins." This was so vast a boon, that a pause for devout acknowledgment and silent adoration seemed fitting. Hence the "selah," which is at the end of the s…
ellicottPsalms 85:2: "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah."
(2) Forgiven. —Rather, taken away. (See Psalm 32:1 .)
The verse uses two distinct, powerful images to describe God's forgiveness: He "forgives" (or "takes away") iniquity and "covers" sin. This isn't just a general pardon; the original words evoke the imagery of lifting away a heavy burden and completely hiding something from view, suggesting a profound restoration and protection from divine justice.
This psalm opens with a powerful remembrance of God's past faithfulness, specifically recalling how He forgave and atoned for the sins of His people. This reflection sets the stage for a plea for renewed mercy and restoration from a present hardship, reminding God of His character and past actions towards them. The verse highlights that God's forgiveness is complete, covering all their iniquity, which is presented as the foundation for their hope of future deliverance.
This psalm opens with a powerful remembrance of God's past faithfulness, specifically recalling how He forgave and atoned for the sins of His people. This reflection sets the stage for a plea for renewed mercy and restoration from a present hardship, reminding God of His character and past actions towards them. The verse highlights that God's forgiveness is complete, covering all their iniquity, which is presented as the foundation for their hope of future deliverance.
"You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah" — The verse uses two distinct, powerful images to describe God's forgiveness: He "forgives" (or "takes away") iniquity and "covers" sin. This isn't just a general pardon; the original words evoke the i…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026