THE LORD WILL GIVE WHAT IS GOOD
Key verse: 11
NIV
Psalm 85[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes(A) of Jacob.
2 You forgave(B) the iniquity(C) of your people
and covered all their sins.[b]
3 You set aside all your wrath(D)
and turned from your fierce anger.(E)
4 Restore(F) us again, God our Savior,(G)
and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?(H)
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 Will you not revive(I) us again,
that your people may rejoice(J) in you?
7 Show us your unfailing love,(K) Lord,
and grant us your salvation.(L)
Footnotes
- Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
- Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Cross references
- Psalm 85:1 : S Dt 30:3; Ps 14:7
- Psalm 85:2 : S Nu 14:19
- Psalm 85:2 : S Ex 32:30; S Ps 78:38
- Psalm 85:3 : Ps 106:23; Da 9:16
- Psalm 85:3 : Ex 32:12; Dt 13:17; Ps 78:38; Jnh 3:9
- Psalm 85:4 : S Ps 71:20
- Psalm 85:4 : S Ps 65:5
- Psalm 85:5 : S Ps 50:21
- Psalm 85:6 : S Ps 80:18
- Psalm 85:6 : Php 3:1
- Psalm 85:7 : S Ps 6:4
- Psalm 85:7 : Ps 27:1
- Psalm 85:8 : S Lev 26:6; S Isa 60:17; S Jn 14:27; 2Th 3:16
- Psalm 85:8 : Pr 26:11; 27:22
- Psalm 85:9 : Ps 27:1; Isa 43:3; 45:8; 46:13; 51:5; 56:1; 62:11
- Psalm 85:9 : S Ex 29:43; Isa 60:19; Hag 2:9; Zec 2:5
- Psalm 85:10 : Ps 89:14; 115:1; Pr 3:3
- Psalm 85:10 : Ps 72:2-3; Isa 32:17
- Psalm 85:11 : Isa 45:8
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Revive Us Again
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of (A)the Sons of Korah.85 Lord, you were (B)favorable to your land;
you (C)restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You (D)forgave the iniquity of your people;
you (E)covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you (F)turned from your hot anger.
4 (G)Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 (H)Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not (I)revive us again,
that your people may (J)rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 (K)Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will (L)speak peace to his people, to his (M)saints;
but let them not (N)turn back to (O)folly.
9 Surely his (P)salvation is near to those who fear him,
that (Q)glory may dwell in our land.
10 (R)Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
(S)righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
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Cross references
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 42, title
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 77:7
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 14:7
- Psalm 85:2 : Ps. 32:1
- Psalm 85:2 : Ps. 32:1
- Psalm 85:3 : Ps. 78:38; 106:23; Ex. 32:12; Deut. 13:17; Jonah 3:9
- Psalm 85:4 : See Ps. 80:3
- Psalm 85:5 : [Ps. 79:5]
- Psalm 85:6 : Ps. 71:20
- Psalm 85:6 : Ps. 90:14; 149:2
- Psalm 85:8 : [Hab. 2:1]
- Psalm 85:8 : Zech. 9:10; [Hag. 2:9]
- Psalm 85:8 : See Ps. 50:5
- Psalm 85:8 : [2 Pet. 2:21]
- Psalm 85:8 : [Ps. 49:13]
- Psalm 85:9 : Isa. 46:13
- Psalm 85:9 : Zech. 2:5; [John 1:14]
- Psalm 85:10 : Ps. 89:14; See Ps. 40:11
- Psalm 85:10 : [Isa. 45:8]; See Ps. 72:3
85 Lord, you were (B)favorable to your land;
you (C)restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You (D)forgave the iniquity of your people;
you (E)covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you (F)turned from your hot anger.
4 (G)Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 (H)Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not (I)revive us again,
that your people may (J)rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 (K)Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will (L)speak peace to his people, to his (M)saints;
but let them not (N)turn back to (O)folly.
9 Surely his (P)salvation is near to those who fear him,
that (Q)glory may dwell in our land.
10 (R)Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
(S)righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Cross references
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 42, title
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 77:7
- Psalm 85:1 : Ps. 14:7
- Psalm 85:2 : Ps. 32:1
- Psalm 85:2 : Ps. 32:1
- Psalm 85:3 : Ps. 78:38; 106:23; Ex. 32:12; Deut. 13:17; Jonah 3:9
- Psalm 85:4 : See Ps. 80:3
- Psalm 85:5 : [Ps. 79:5]
- Psalm 85:6 : Ps. 71:20
- Psalm 85:6 : Ps. 90:14; 149:2
- Psalm 85:8 : [Hab. 2:1]
- Psalm 85:8 : Zech. 9:10; [Hag. 2:9]
- Psalm 85:8 : See Ps. 50:5
- Psalm 85:8 : [2 Pet. 2:21]
- Psalm 85:8 : [Ps. 49:13]
- Psalm 85:9 : Isa. 46:13
- Psalm 85:9 : Zech. 2:5; [John 1:14]
- Psalm 85:10 : Ps. 89:14; See Ps. 40:11
- Psalm 85:10 : [Isa. 45:8]; See Ps. 72:3
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The Psalmist starts this prayer for restoration by recalling how God showed favor to his people in the past. God helped Israel, not because they were good, but because he extended forgiving grace to them. The psalmist now asks God to restore his people’s fortunes again. At the time of the psalmist’s writing, Israel is suffering under what seems like God’s displeasure. Israel’s enemies are oppressing them and keeping them fearful and impoverished. It feels to the psalmist like God was angry at his people for a long time, and so he asks, “Will you not revive us again?” This question seems infected with doubt. But when we bring everything we are struggling with to God in prayer, we can find God’s answer.
After pouring out his agonies to God, the psalmist then turns to listen to God with an open heart (8). As a result, he gains spiritual vision and faith in in God’s salvation (9). He confidently concludes that God must ultimately give what is good because God himself is good. God is the source of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace (1
-11). God’s righteousness and salvation are available to us today in Jesus. We can gain new assurance of this by listening to God’s word.
Prayer: Father, please restore our nation and our church by your grace. I know I don’t have to doubt because your salvation is now here in Jesus.
One Word: God gives righteousness abundantly.
