Psalm 99:8
New International Version
LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.

New Living Translation
O LORD our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but you punished them when they went wrong.

English Standard Version
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

Berean Standard Bible
O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds.

King James Bible
Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

New King James Version
You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds.

New American Standard Bible
LORD our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

NASB 1995
O LORD our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

NASB 1977
O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them; Thou wast a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

Legacy Standard Bible
O Yahweh our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

Amplified Bible
You answered them, O LORD our God; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil practices.

Christian Standard Bible
LORD our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their sinful actions.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, an avenger of their sinful actions.

American Standard Version
Thou answeredst them, O Jehovah our God: Thou wast a God that forgavest them, Though thou tookest vengeance of their doings.

Contemporary English Version
Our LORD and our God, you answered their prayers and forgave their sins, but when they did wrong, you punished them.

English Revised Version
Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their doings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
O LORD, our God, you answered them. You showed them that you are a forgiving God and that you are a God who punishes their [sinful] deeds.

Good News Translation
O LORD, our God, you answered your people; you showed them that you are a God who forgives, even though you punished them for their sins.

International Standard Version
LORD our God, you answered them; you were their God who forgave them, but also avenged their evil deeds.

Majority Standard Bible
O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds.

NET Bible
O LORD our God, you answered them. They found you to be a forgiving God, but also one who punished their sinful deeds.

New Heart English Bible
You answered them, LORD our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou didst answer them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

World English Bible
You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O YHWH, our God, "" You have afflicted them, "" You have been a forgiving God to them, "" And taking vengeance on their actions.

Young's Literal Translation
O Jehovah, our God, Thou hast afflicted them, A God forgiving Thou hast been to them, And taking vengeance on their actions.

Smith's Literal Translation
O Jehovah our God, thou didst answer them; thou wert God lifting up to them, and taking vengeance for all their doings.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou didst hear them, O Lord our God: thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You heeded them, O Lord our God. You were a forgiving God to them, though taking vengeance on all their inventions.

New American Bible
O LORD, our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, though you punished their offenses.

New Revised Standard Version
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thou didst answer them, O LORD our God; thou wast an avenger for them. O God, reward them according to their works.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, our God, you answered them, oh God, you have been an avenger to them; pay them according to their works!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them; A forgiving God wast Thou unto them, Though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O Lord our God, thou heardest them; O God, thou becamest propitious to them, though thou didst take vengeance on all their devices.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Reigns
7He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them. 8O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds. 9Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.…

Cross References
Exodus 34:6-7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Numbers 14:18
‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jeremiah 31:34
No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

2 Chronicles 30:9
For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:13-14
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, / in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Luke 11:4
And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Hebrews 8:12
For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Romans 3:25-26
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. / He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

You answered them, O LORD our God: you were a God that forgave them, though you took vengeance of their inventions.

thou wast

Psalm 89:33
Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

Numbers 14:20
And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:

Deuteronomy 9:19
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

through

Exodus 32:2,34,35
And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me…

Numbers 11:33,34
And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague…

Numbers 14:20-24
And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: …

their inventions

Ecclesiastes 7:29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Jump to Previous
Actions Afflicted Although Avenger Deeds Doings Evil Forgave Forgavest Forgiving Inventions Israel Misdeeds Punished Punishment Sin Tookest Vengeance Wast Wrongdoing
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Actions Afflicted Although Avenger Deeds Doings Evil Forgave Forgavest Forgiving Inventions Israel Misdeeds Punished Punishment Sin Tookest Vengeance Wast Wrongdoing
Psalm 99
1. The prophet, setting forth the kingdom of God in Zion
5. Exhorts all, by the example of their forefathers, to worship God at his holy hill














O LORD our God, You answered them.
This phrase acknowledges the personal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing His responsiveness to their prayers. In the context of Psalm 99, "them" refers to figures like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who interceded for Israel (Psalm 99:6). This highlights God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His chosen leaders. The historical context includes the wilderness period and the establishment of Israel's priesthood, where God frequently communicated His will and guidance. This responsiveness is echoed in other scriptures, such as 1 Samuel 7:9, where God answers Samuel's plea for Israel. It also foreshadows the New Testament assurance in 1 John 5:14-15 that God hears and answers prayers according to His will.

You were a forgiving God to them,
This phrase underscores God's mercy and willingness to forgive the sins of His people. The historical context includes numerous instances where Israel sinned, yet God showed mercy, such as the golden calf incident (Exodus 32) and the rebellion at Kadesh (Numbers 14). Forgiveness is a central theme throughout the Bible, pointing to the ultimate forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament, particularly the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), prefigures Christ's atoning sacrifice, which provides complete forgiveness for believers (Hebrews 9:11-14). This phrase reassures believers of God's enduring grace and readiness to forgive when they repent.

yet an avenger of their misdeeds.
This phrase highlights God's justice and the consequences of sin. While God is forgiving, He is also righteous and must address wrongdoing. The historical context includes instances where God disciplined Israel for their disobedience, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12) and the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 25). This duality of forgiveness and justice is seen throughout scripture, emphasizing that God's holiness requires Him to address sin. In the New Testament, this is fulfilled in Christ, who bore the penalty for sin, satisfying God's justice (Romans 3:25-26). This phrase serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance, while also pointing to the hope of redemption through Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is both forgiving and just.

2. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel (implied context)
These leaders are mentioned earlier in Psalm 99 as those who called upon the LORD and were answered by Him.

3. Israel
The nation chosen by God, often the recipient of His forgiveness and discipline.

4. The Tabernacle/Temple (implied context)
The place where God’s presence dwelt and where the leaders interceded for the people.

5. The Wilderness (implied context)
A significant period in Israel's history where God’s forgiveness and justice were evident.
Teaching Points
God’s Dual Nature
God is both forgiving and just. Understanding this balance is crucial for a proper relationship with Him.

The Importance of Intercession
Like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, believers are called to intercede for others, trusting that God hears and answers.

Repentance and Forgiveness
God’s forgiveness is available, but it requires genuine repentance. We must acknowledge our sins and turn from them.

God’s Discipline
God’s discipline is an expression of His love and justice. It is meant to correct and guide us back to Him.

Living in Holiness
Knowing that God avenges misdeeds should motivate us to live holy and obedient lives, reflecting His character.(8) Thou tookest vengeance of their inventions (or, works).--This does not refer to the personages just mentioned but to the people at large. The train of thought is as follows:--"There are great saints among us, as in olden time, but, as then, their prayers, while often procuring forgiveness, could not altogether avert punishment for sin; so the present community must expect retribution when sinful, in spite of the mediation of the better part of the nation." The Hebrew style did not favour similes, and hence the poet omits the signs of comparison, and leaves his inference to be drawn by his readers.

Verse 8. - Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God (comp. ver. 6, ad fin.). Thou wast a God that forgavest them; literally, a forgiving God wast thou to them. Both Moses and Aaron "angered God at the waters of strife" (Psalm 106:32; Numbers 20:12, 13). Aaron angered him still more by sanctioning the idolatry of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-24). God pardoned both of them these and other sins, but not without inflicting punishment for the sins. Though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. God's "severity" extended even to these blessed saints, Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. The former two were expressly excluded from the land of promise for their conduct at Meribah (Numbers 20:12); and Samuel's judgeship seems to have been brought to an end through his undue leniency towards his sons Joel and Abiah (1 Samuel 8:1-5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
O LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

our God,
אֱלֹהֵינוּ֮ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

You
אַתָּ֪ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

answered them.
עֲנִ֫יתָ֥ם (‘ă·nî·ṯām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

You were
הָיִ֣יתָ (hā·yî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a forgiving
נֹ֭שֵׂא (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

God
אֵ֣ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

to them,
לָהֶ֑ם (lā·hem)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

yet an avenger
וְ֝נֹקֵ֗ם (wə·nō·qêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5358: To grudge, avenge, punish

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their misdeeds.
עֲלִילוֹתָֽם׃ (‘ă·lî·lō·w·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5949: An exploit, a performance, an opportunity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 99:8 You answered them Yahweh our God (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 99:7
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