Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

85:8-9 I Will Listen to Hear His Word of Peace. Now the members of the congregation declare their patience in watching for God to act on their prayer. The song has shifted from the plural "we" to the singular "I": let me hear. Each member is thus making this pledge. There is confidence that God will speak peace to his people, i.e., he will agree to the reconciliation they have asked for in vv. 4-7. At the same time, the psalmist prays, let them not turn back to folly; i.e., the people who are appealing to God's benevolence should make sure that their repentance is genuine, and that they really do aim for faithfulness and really intend not to repeat the folly (moral stupidity) that provoked God's anger. The word saints (Hb. khasid) reinforces this, since it refers to members of the covenant people who take the covenant to heart and walk in obedience before God. Therefore the force of this is, "to his people, especially to his saints." Likewise God's salvation (which they had requested in v. 7) is near to those who fear him, i.e., again, to those who lay hold of the promises of God's covenant by genuine faith and obedience. The people should never presume upon God's gracious response to their prayers, as if it comes "automatically." Thus, as the Israelites wait for God to speak, they can evaluate their own sincerity.