Psalms 85

13 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 85 calls God to forgive, restore, and bless His people with mercy and peace, affirming the hope that righteousness will guide them back to God's favor.

Summary

The psalm opens with praise for God’s favor and the liberation of Jacob’s captivity, highlighting His forgiveness of sins and withdrawal of wrath. The psalmist appeals for God's mercy to be turned toward them, questioning if divine anger will persist forever and yearning for restoration. He expresses confidence that God’s salvation is near to those who fear Him, and that true salvation brings peace to His saints. The psalm emphasizes the harmony of mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace, portraying them as intertwined. It portrays truth as arising from the earth and righteousness descending from heaven, illustrating God’s moral order. The psalm concludes with assurance that God will give good gifts, the land will flourish, and righteousness will lead the people along God’s path.

Outline

Affirmation of God’s favor and forgiveness
Supplication for mercy and cessation of wrath
Affirmation of truth, righteousness, and prosperity

Themes

Divine mercy and forgivenessHope and restorationHarmony of truth and righteousness

Keywords

forgivenessmercytruthrighteousnesspeacesalvationliberationjusticeprosperity

People

LordGodJacob

Places

landearthheaven

Things

forgivenessmercytruthrighteousnesspeacesalvationgoodnessincrease

Key Verses

Psalms 85:1: Shows God’s favor and the liberation of Israel
Psalms 85:10: Highlights the inseparable unity of mercy and truth with righteousness and peace
Psalms 85:12: Affirms God’s provision and the flourishing of the land

Questions

What does the psalmist mean by “turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thy anger toward us to cease?”
How do truth, mercy, righteousness, and peace interrelate in Psalm 85?
In what way does the psalmist connect God’s actions to the prosperity of the land?

Sentiment

positive
Overall hopeful and trusting in divine mercy and restoration