Overview

Psalm 85 is a prayer of repentance and restoration, seeking God’s forgiveness and His renewal of favor upon the nation of Israel. The psalmist acknowledges God’s past acts of grace, the restoration of the land, and the forgiveness of the people’s sins, but now pleads for a renewed demonstration of His mercy. The chapter highlights the themes of reconciliation, God’s faithfulness, and the hope for divine intervention. It paints a picture of longing for God’s presence and blessings, and emphasizes that true peace and justice can only be achieved when God’s favor rests upon His people. The psalm speaks to the overarching biblical narrative of restoration, demonstrating that God is a merciful and just God who desires to reconcile His people to Himself.

Theologically, Psalm 85 underscores God’s sovereignty in salvation, His role as the provider of peace, and His desire for justice and righteousness to prevail. The psalm is a prayer asking God to revive His people and restore His blessings, not because of their righteousness, but because of His mercy and covenant faithfulness. This psalm affirms the essential biblical truth that God is both just and merciful, and that His grace is available to those who humbly seek His forgiveness.

In light of biblical inerrancy, this psalm, as part of the divinely inspired Scripture, reveals God’s will and His character in an unchangeable and authoritative manner. It calls all believers to seek God’s presence and mercy in times of distress, and reminds them of the centrality of repentance in maintaining a relationship with God.

Historical and Literary Context: Psalm 85

Psalm 85 is traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, a group of Levitical musicians who played an important role in the worship life of ancient Israel (see 1 Chronicles 9:19-31). The psalm is likely a post-exilic prayer, possibly written after the return of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity. After a period of judgment and exile, the Israelites were facing the challenge of rebuilding their nation and renewing their covenant relationship with God. This context is important as it provides the backdrop for the psalmist’s appeal for revival and restoration.

The structure of Psalm 85 reveals a heartfelt plea for God’s intervention, starting with a recounting of God’s past mercies (verses 1-3), followed by a request for a new outpouring of mercy (verses 4-7), and concluding with the confidence that God will bring about peace and salvation (verses 8-13). The psalm reflects the longing for both spiritual and material restoration, acknowledging God’s power to heal the land and revive the hearts of the people. The psalmist’s appeal is not only for personal blessing but for the collective well-being of the community, emphasizing the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Literarily, Psalm 85 is a wisdom psalm, as it reflects a prayer for insight and restoration, rooted in the covenant relationship that God established with Israel. The language of peace, righteousness, and salvation emphasizes God’s ongoing work in the lives of His people. As with many psalms, there is also an implicit Messianic hope, as the restoration of the nation looks forward to the ultimate peace and salvation that would come through Jesus Christ.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points: Psalm 85

Psalm 85 touches on several theological themes, with the most prominent being repentance, God’s mercy, and the hope of restoration. These themes are deeply embedded in the broader narrative of Scripture and the history of God’s people.

First, the psalm underscores God’s Sovereignty and Mercy. The psalmist acknowledges that it is only by God’s grace and mercy that the people of Israel have experienced restoration in the past. Despite their sin, God has been merciful, forgiving their iniquities and restoring the land. This demonstrates God’s ultimate authority and ability to restore what has been broken, showing His sovereignty over both the natural world and the spiritual state of His people.

Secondly, the Image of God and Repentance is a key theme. The psalm is a prayer of repentance, acknowledging the wrongs of the people and seeking God’s mercy. True repentance requires recognizing one’s sin, confessing it before God, and pleading for forgiveness. This act of repentance points to the truth that humanity is created in God’s image but has fallen short of His glory, making repentance an essential step in restoring the relationship between God and His people.

The theme of Restoration and Justice is also present. The psalm prays for God’s justice to reign, for righteousness and peace to kiss each other. This echoes the biblical doctrine that justice and mercy are both integral parts of God’s nature. While God’s justice demands judgment for sin, His mercy makes restoration possible through forgiveness. The psalmist’s request is for God to align these aspects of His nature to bring about peace and restoration for His people.

Lastly, Psalm 85 also points to the Hope of Salvation. The psalm ends with a message of confidence that God will restore peace, righteousness, and salvation. This ultimate hope is found in the character of God, who has promised to redeem His people and bring about their full restoration.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Psalm 85 is deeply connected to the broader redemptive story that ultimately points to Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfill the longing for peace and restoration that is expressed in this psalm. The psalmist prays for God to restore favor to His people and to bring salvation to the land, a plea that finds its ultimate answer in the coming of Jesus Christ. The Israelites’ desire for God to revive and restore them reflects the longing of all humanity for reconciliation with God, a reconciliation that Christ would accomplish on the cross. Jesus, as the fulfillment of God’s promise of peace, is the ultimate source of reconciliation, both for individuals and for creation as a whole. He is the one who brings true peace, not just between God and humanity but also between individuals and among nations, fulfilling the hope expressed in Psalm 85 for righteousness and peace to meet. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provides the means for God’s justice and mercy to be fully reconciled. While Psalm 85 anticipates restoration, it is in Christ that this restoration is fully realized.

Jesus’ role in Psalm 85 also points to the coming of the kingdom of God, where God’s reign is fully realized. In verse 10, the psalmist asks for righteousness and peace to embrace, something that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for justice and mercy to meet in a way that perfectly satisfies God’s righteous standards, bringing about the salvation the psalmist longed for.

How the Chapter Connects to the Father

Psalm 85 shows the relationship between God and His people, a relationship characterized by God’s fatherly care and His willingness to restore. Throughout the psalm, the psalmist appeals to God as the one who has shown mercy to Israel in the past and who is able to restore His people to their former blessings. This reflects God the Father’s covenant faithfulness, His desire to bless His children, and His sovereign ability to heal and restore His people. The psalmist’s appeal is rooted in God’s fatherly love, which has been demonstrated historically through acts of grace, forgiveness, and restoration.

In Jesus Christ, God the Father’s plan of restoration is brought to completion. Through Jesus, we come to understand more fully what it means that God is our Father. Jesus revealed the Father’s heart to us, teaching that God is not only sovereign and just but also loving and merciful, desiring to reconcile us to Himself. The Father’s heart for restoration is shown most clearly in the sending of His Son to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16). The longing expressed in Psalm 85 for God to restore peace and righteousness is ultimately fulfilled through the work of Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to the Father.

How the Chapter Connects to the Holy Spirit

While Psalm 85 does not directly mention the Holy Spirit, the themes of revival and restoration within the psalm are deeply connected to the work of the Holy Spirit. The psalmist’s prayer for God to “restore us again” and “revive us” (verse 6) can be understood as a plea for the Spirit’s renewing work in the hearts of God’s people. The Holy Spirit is the agent of renewal in the life of the believer, bringing the power of Christ’s resurrection to bear upon the lives of God’s people. The work of the Spirit is also central to the fulfillment of God’s promises of peace and righteousness. It is through the Spirit that God’s kingdom is advanced, and the Spirit’s presence in the hearts of believers is a foretaste of the peace and righteousness described in the latter part of the psalm. Just as the psalmist calls for God’s intervention to restore the land and people, the Holy Spirit brings the fullness of God’s presence and transformation in the lives of believers today.

Connection to God’s Love

Psalm 85 expresses a deep longing for restoration and peace, demonstrating the heart of God for His people. God’s love is evident in His willingness to forgive and restore those who repent and turn to Him. His love is not based on merit but is rooted in His grace and faithfulness to His covenant with His people. The chapter speaks of God’s tender mercy in answering the prayer for revival and peace, and this mercy is a direct expression of God’s love for His people.

The ultimate expression of God’s love is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who comes to restore the relationship between God and humanity that was broken by sin. The plea for God to revive and restore His people in Psalm 85 is answered in Christ, who provides the means for ultimate reconciliation through His sacrificial death on the cross. Through Christ, we see the fullest manifestation of God’s love — a love that not only forgives but also transforms, bringing peace and righteousness to those who trust in Him. God’s love is a love that heals, restores, and gives new life, and it is in Christ that this love is fully realized, bringing about the redemption and restoration that Psalm 85 anticipates. Through the Holy Spirit, believers today experience the power of this love, as He renews their hearts and empowers them to live in the fullness of God’s peace and righteousness.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “Revival and Restoration: A Call for Peace and Righteousness”

Introduction:

• Start by addressing the deep need for peace and restoration in the world today. Many people experience emotional, relational, and spiritual unrest, which mirrors the longing expressed in Psalm 85. The psalmist pleads for God to restore peace, a prayer that resonates with the human condition in every era.
• Introduce the central theme: Just as the psalmist sought restoration, God’s love and plan for peace and righteousness find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who brings peace between God and humanity.

Main Points:

The Prayer for Restoration (Psalm 85:1-7)

• The psalm begins with a heartfelt plea for God to restore His people and revive them.
• Transition: The psalmist remembers God’s past acts of salvation, but there is a desire for God to once again intervene and bring peace.
• Application: The Christian life often involves seasons of longing for renewal. Just as the psalmist prays for revival, we, too, must continually seek God’s restoration in our lives, especially in areas of spiritual dryness.

God’s Promise of Peace and Righteousness (Psalm 85:8-13)

• The psalmist speaks of how peace and righteousness will embrace one another.
• Transition: This vision of peace and righteousness meeting is not merely a longing for national prosperity but a profound prophecy of God’s ultimate reign in Jesus Christ.
• Application: God promises peace and righteousness to those who trust in Him. Through Christ, we are offered both peace with God and the righteousness that comes only from Him. We are called to live out this peace and righteousness in our relationships, communities, and workplaces.

Christ as the Fulfillment of God’s Promise 

• Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer to the prayer for peace and restoration in Psalm 85. In His coming, life, and sacrificial death, He offers the peace and righteousness that the psalmist longed for.
• Transition: Just as Psalm 85 anticipates God’s intervention, Jesus is the one who brings that peace and reconciliation. He is the Prince of Peace, fulfilling what was foreshadowed in the Old Testament.
• Application: Christians are called to embrace Jesus as the source of true peace and restoration. Just as the psalmist looked forward to God’s intervention, we, too, look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom through Christ.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points: God hears our cries for revival and restoration, and He promises peace and righteousness through Jesus Christ.
• Call to Action: Encourage the congregation to seek God’s restoration in their own lives and in the world around them. Remind them that through Christ, they can experience the peace of God that surpasses understanding, and live out righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• End with a prayer, inviting individuals to surrender their areas of brokenness to God for healing and renewal.

Illustrations and Examples:

1. Personal Story of Restoration: Share a personal testimony or a modern-day story of someone experiencing spiritual renewal after a season of struggle. For example, someone who had been walking in spiritual dryness but found peace and renewal through prayer, community, and reading Scripture. This can demonstrate the kind of restoration the psalmist longs for and point to the fulfillment of that in Christ.
2. Analogy of the Broken Vase: Use the illustration of a broken vase that is carefully restored by a skilled artisan. The vase, once shattered, is brought back to its original form, but with a few visible cracks that show its past. This is a picture of God’s restoration work in our lives—He takes brokenness and makes it whole again, though we may still bear some marks of our past struggles. In the same way, Jesus brings peace and righteousness to our lives, even though the world still bears marks of sin.
3. Modern-Day Peacebuilding Example: Highlight a real-world example of peacebuilding efforts—whether between two groups or nations. Illustrate how peace and righteousness often require effort, sacrifice, and cooperation. Point out that in the kingdom of God, Jesus has already achieved the ultimate peace and reconciliation through His sacrifice on the cross.

Application for Today’s Christian:

1. Discipleship: Encourage the congregation to seek peace and restoration through their daily walk with God. Regular prayer, Bible study, and participation in community life help believers to experience the restoration God offers. Just as the psalmist calls on God to restore His people, Christians are called to actively pursue a deeper relationship with God, trusting in His ability to renew their hearts and lives.
2. Stewardship: Christians are called to be stewards of the peace and righteousness they receive in Christ. This involves sharing the good news of God’s peace with others, actively seeking reconciliation in broken relationships, and embodying the principles of justice and mercy in our daily lives. Encourage the congregation to look for opportunities to be agents of restoration in their families, workplaces, and communities.
3. Living Out Their Faith: Apply the message of Psalm 85 by challenging believers to live out the peace and righteousness they have received through Christ. This means forgiving others, seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Let them know that true peace is not merely a feeling, but a lifestyle that reflects God’s kingdom.

Reflection Questions:

1. Personal Reflection on Restoration: How have you personally experienced God’s restoration in your life? Are there areas where you feel spiritually dry or disconnected, and what steps can you take to invite God’s renewal into those areas?
2. Seeking Peace with Others: In light of Psalm 85’s call for peace and righteousness, how can you be a peacemaker in your relationships? Are there any broken relationships in your life that God is calling you to reconcile?
3. Understanding Christ’s Role: How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of the psalmist’s prayer for peace and restoration shape your view of the gospel? How can you more deeply appreciate Jesus’ role as the Prince of Peace in your daily walk?
4. God’s Righteousness in You: In what ways can you live out the righteousness that God has made available to you through Christ? Are there specific actions or behaviors where you need to align more with God’s standards of justice and mercy?
5. Hope for the Future: The psalmist anticipates the future peace and righteousness that will come from God. How does this affect the way you live today, knowing that God’s full restoration is still to come? How does this shape your hope and perspective on the struggles you face?