Psalms 85:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people ask whether God's anger will be permanent or temporary.
The Context of Psalms 85:5
The people express fear that God's anger might never end.
What Does Psalms 85:5 Mean?
The psalmist poses urgent rhetorical questions expressing fear that divine displeasure might continue indefinitely. The doubling of the question—'Will You be angry forever?...Will You draw out Your anger?'—intensifies the anxiety. This reflects the human fear that punishment, once inflicted, might never end.
Yet beneath these questions lies a deeper theological trust: by asking whether God will be permanently angry, the people implicitly claim that He does not ordinarily act that way. The questions are designed to stir God's mercy, not to suggest He is incapable of it. They appeal to God's nature as One who restores rather than perpetually condemns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 85:5
What does Psalms 85:5 mean?
The people ask whether God's anger will be permanent or temporary.
What is the context of Psalms 85:5?
The people express fear that God's anger might never end.