Psalms 85
Read Psalms 85 (WEB)+
1Yahweh, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah. 3You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger. 4Turn us, God of our salvation, and cause your indignation toward us to cease. 5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you draw out your anger to all generations? 6Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7Show us your loving kindness, Yahweh. Grant us your salvation. 8I will hear what God, Yahweh, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints; but let them not turn again to folly. 9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. 12Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. 13Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Psalms 85:10
Summary
Psalms 85 is a prayerful reflection on God's past mercies, a plea for renewed favor, and a hopeful anticipation of divine salvation. The psalm opens with a recollection of God's gracious acts towards Israel, reminding both of their restoration and forgiveness. Following this, there is a heartfelt request for God to turn His anger away and grant salvation once more, acknowledging the nation's need for His steadfast love. A shift occurs as the psalmist listens for God's response, promising that peace will be spoken to His faithful people. The chapter concludes with a hopeful vision of God's blessings, where righteousness and peace embrace each other, symbolizing a reconciliation of divine justice and love. This chapter is a reminder of God's unchanging nature and the hope that comes from His faithful promises.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 85 unfolds
Psalm 85:1–3 God's Favor and Forgiveness
The psalmist acknowledges God's past favor towards Israel, recalling how He restored Jacob's fortunes and forgave their sins, highlighting divine mercy.
Psalm 85:4–6 A Plea for Revival
The psalm shifts to a prayer for God to turn away His anger and revive His people, emphasizing their need for renewal and joy.
Psalm 85:7–8 Listening for God's Peace
The psalmist expresses a desire to hear God's voice, anticipating a message of peace for His faithful ones, which fosters hope.
Psalm 85:9–11 The Coming of Salvation
The text affirms that salvation is near for those who revere God, illustrating the harmony between truth and righteousness as divine blessings are anticipated.
Psalm 85:12–13 The Path of Righteousness
The psalm concludes by affirming that God will provide goodness, with righteousness preceding Him, symbolizing the way to His blessings.
Key verses
Psalms 85:10Psalms 85:10 encapsulates the chapter's essence, illustrating the profound relationship between God's love and justice.
Main themes in Psalms 85
Restoration
Restoration is prominent in the psalm as it recounts how God has revived Israel's fortunes in verses 1-3. This theme develops through the prayer for revival in verse 6, indicating a longing for ongoing renewal. Within the chapter's larger movement, restoration serves as a foundation for hope and joy among God's people.
Divine mercy
Divine mercy is highlighted as the psalmist recalls God's forgiveness in verses 1-2, emphasizing His compassionate nature. The plea for mercy in verse 7 deepens this theme, illustrating the relationship between God's anger and His readiness to forgive. Ultimately, this theme underscores the importance of seeking God's mercy in times of distress.
Peace and righteousness
The theme of peace and righteousness emerges in verses 10-11, where they are depicted as coming together harmoniously. This interaction suggests an alignment of God's justice with His mercy, complicating how divine attributes coexist. Within the chapter's movement, this theme signifies the hope of reconciliation and the blessings that flow from it.
Hope in God's promises
Hope in God's promises is woven throughout the psalm, particularly in verse 9, where salvation is near for those who fear Him. The hopeful anticipation of God's response to the prayers for revival reflects trust in His faithful character. This theme reinforces the belief that God's promises assure His people of future restoration and peace.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 85
- Isaiah 26Isaiah 26 echoes themes of trust in God as a source of salvation and peace, similar to the prayers in this psalm.
- Psalm 84Psalm 84 connects through its longing for God's presence and the blessings that come from being in relationship with Him.
- Jeremiah 30Jeremiah 30 develops the idea of restoration after exile, resonating with the psalm's themes of forgiveness and revival.
- Habakkuk 3Habakkuk 3 echoes the vision of God's salvation and His powerful acts on behalf of His people, paralleling this psalm's hope.
- Psalm 32Psalm 32 connects through its focus on forgiveness and the joy that comes from being restored to God.
- Psalm 80Psalm 80 develops the cry for revival and restoration, linking closely to the psalmist's pleas in this chapter.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 85
- What specific acts of restoration does the psalm recall in verses 1-3?
- How does the psalmist address God's anger in verses 4-5?
- What is the significance of the request for revival in verse 6?
- In verses 10-11, how do mercy and truth interact in God's character?
- How does the anticipation of salvation in verse 9 shape the psalm's message?
- What does the imagery of righteousness preparing the way in verse 13 suggest?
- How does this psalm reflect the broader themes of the Psalter?
Psalms 85: frequently asked questions
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