Analysis of Psalms Chapter 85
Introduction
Psalm 85 is a heartfelt plea for revival and God’s mercy upon His people, set against the backdrop of past deliverance and forgiveness. The Psalmist reflects on the historical acts of God’s salvation and forgiveness, seeking renewed mercy and restoration. This chapter can be divided into several sections, each with profound insights into the relationship between God and His people. Through an exploration of its verses, Psalm 85 reveals the intertwining themes of mercy, righteousness, peace, and divine faithfulness.
Historical Context
Psalm 85 is attributed to the Sons of Korah, a group of Levitical singers, and is often considered to have been written after the return from Babylonian exile. This context of restoration and the desire for a complete renewal of the nation’s fortunes is central to understanding the themes of the psalm. The specific historical references to God’s past acts of mercy and deliverance set the stage for the psalmist’s current prayer for revival.
Verses 1-3: Recalling God’s Past Mercies
“Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.”
The psalm begins with a reflection on God’s past mercies towards Israel. The use of the past tense (“you were favorable,” “you restored,” “you forgave,” “you covered,” “you withdrew,” “you turned”) signifies actions that God has already accomplished. These verses serve as a reminder of God’s previous acts of forgiveness and restoration, setting a hopeful tone for the psalm. The word “Selah” indicates a pause for contemplation, emphasizing the importance of these remembrances.
The reference to God’s favorable dealings with “your land” could be seen as a nod to God’s covenant relationship with Israel. The terms “restored,” “forgave,” and “covered” are powerful because they denote not only forgiveness but a complete renewal of relationship. These actions highlight the grace and mercy that define God’s interactions with His people. By recalling these acts, the psalmist builds a case for why God should act again in the present.
Verses 4-7: A Plea for Present Mercy and Revival
“Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
This section contains a direct plea for restoration and revival. The call to “Restore us again” indicates a recognition of a lapse or decline that requires divine intervention. The psalmist acknowledges God as the “God of our salvation,” directly linking the community’s salvation to God’s grace.
The repeated questioning (“Will you be angry with us forever?” “Will you prolong your anger to all generations?”) conveys an earnest petitioning for God’s immediate action. It suggests a depth of feeling and a sense of urgency. The questions also reflect a theological understanding that God’s anger is just, but also remediable through His mercy. The desire for revival is not just for physical restoration but for spiritual rejuvenation, as indicated by the goal “that your people may rejoice in you.”
The request, “Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,” ties back to the Hebrew word “hesed,” which means loyal love or covenantal faithfulness. The psalmist seeks a demonstration of God’s unending covenant faithfulness and the granting of “salvation,” indicating a deep longing for a comprehensive deliverance from their present troubles.
Verses 8-9: God’s Response and Promise of Peace
“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.”
These verses transition from plea to expectation. The psalmist expresses a readiness to hear God’s response, confident that God will “speak peace to his people.” The term “saints” indicates those who are faithful to God, emphasizing the psalmist’s belief that the community’s devotion is crucial to receiving God’s favor.
The warning “but let them not turn back to folly” is significant. It underscores that God’s peace and salvation are contingent upon the people’s continued faithfulness. This echoes the biblical theme that divine blessings are often accompanied by an expectation of righteousness and obedience from God’s people.
The phrase “his salvation is near to those who fear him” highlights a key biblical principle: the fear of the Lord, which is often understood as a profound reverence and awe towards God, is a prerequisite for experiencing His salvation and presence. The promise that “glory may dwell in our land” points to a restored relationship wherein God’s presence is manifest among His people, bringing honor and blessing to the nation.
Verses 10-13: A Vision of Future Harmony and Restoration
“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.”
These closing verses offer a poetic and vivid vision of complete harmony and restoration. The intertwining of key attributes—steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace—creates a picture of an ideal, divinely-ordained order. When “steadfast love and faithfulness meet,” it symbolizes the union of God’s loving commitment with human loyalty. Similarly, “righteousness and peace kiss each other” suggests that true peace can only be achieved through righteousness.
The imagery of “faithfulness springing up from the ground” and “righteousness looking down from the sky” evokes a vision of comprehensive divine blessing encompassing both heaven and earth. This agricultural metaphor also suggests fertility and abundance, as a righteous relationship with God yields tangible blessings.
The psalm ends with a confident assertion that “the Lord will give what is good,” leading to material and spiritual prosperity for the land. Finally, “Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way” implies that divine righteousness will guide the community, creating a path for God’s continued presence and blessing.
Conclusion
Psalm 85 is a multifaceted prayer that moves from recalling God’s past acts of mercy to fervently seeking present and future restoration. The chapter eloquently balances the recognition of past salvation with a hopeful plea for renewed divine intervention. By emphasizing themes such as God’s covenantal love (hesed), righteousness, peace, and faithful obedience, the psalm presents a theological framework where divine blessing is both sought and anticipated.
The structure of Psalm 85—from historical reflection to urgent plea, and finally to confident expectation—mirrors a spiritual journey of repentance, supplication, and faith. The psalmist’s visionary ending encourages believers to trust in God’s ultimate desire for harmony and blessing, aligning human righteousness with divine attributes to foster a relationship where God’s presence brings about comprehensive restoration and peace.