Let them not turn again to folly

Although biblical scholars disagree about its historical setting, the theological content of Psalm 85 clearly speaks on the topic of God's forgiveness. Verses 2-3 (KJV) praise God for washing away sin,

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin ... Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

Those words of Mercy are meant to give us peace. Verse 8 (KJV) reads,

He will speak peace unto his people.

We should feel that peace, and we should take great joy, because that (undeserved) mercy is God's greatest gift to us. Above all, we should be thankful.

BUT, as part of that thankfulness, verse 8 (KJV) also highlights an important part of that thankfulness,

But let them not turn again to folly.

Repeating the very sins for which we were just forgiven is one of the saddest states in which we find ourselves. Solomon puts it bluntly (Proverbs 26:11, KJV),

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

God's mercy is infinite, but let us show our thankfulness by not turning again to our folly.