Jacob appears here uniquely linked to divine forgiveness and restored fortunes, contrasting his typical biblical associations with covenant promises and patriarchal lineage.
Psalms 85
Prayer for the Restoration of God's Favor
1LORD, 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, LORD. Grant us your salvation.
8I will hear what God, the LORD, 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, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness goes before him, and prepares the way for his steps.
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Theme
Psalm 85 is a communal prayer that begins by acknowledging God's past faithfulness in restoring Israel and forgiving their sins, then transitions to a plea for renewed divine favor in the present crisis. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will speak peace to his people and promises that salvation, mercy, truth, and righteousness will be restored to the land. This psalm beautifully balances remembrance of God's past mercies with hopeful expectation of future restoration.
Context
This psalm fits among other communal laments and prayers for restoration that reflect Israel's experience of exile and return throughout the Psalter.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Remembering God's Past Favor The psalmist recalls how God previously restored Jacob's fortunes, forgave sin, and turned away his wrath.
- 4-7 Pleading for Present Restoration The community asks God to turn them back to himself, end his anger, revive them, and show his loving kindness.
- 8-9 Listening for God's Response The psalmist prepares to hear God's word of peace and expresses confidence that salvation is near.
- 10-13 Vision of Future Blessing A poetic description of how mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace will be restored when God blesses the land.
Prayer for the Restoration of God's Favor
85:1–85:13 poetry prayer hopeful
A prayer acknowledging God's past favor and forgiveness while pleading for renewed restoration, expressing confidence that mercy, truth, righteousness and peace will be restored.
person_contrast
Jacob appears here uniquely linked to divine forgiveness and restored fortunes, contrasting his typical biblical associations with covenant promises and patriarchal lineage.