Overview of Psalm 85

Introduction

Psalm 85 is a reflective composition from the sons of Korah that balances a prayer for renewed favor with a confident expectation of God’s salvation. It expresses a communal yearning for revival and restoration, following a period of divine displeasure.

Remembrance of Past Mercy (Psalm 85:1-3)

The psalm begins with a thankful acknowledgment of God’s past mercies, noting that He has restored the fortunes of Jacob and forgiven the iniquity of His people. This retrospective opens with gratitude for God’s removal of His wrath, setting a foundational tone of hope based on God’s proven willingness to reconcile.

Celebration of Divine Forgiveness

This section serves as a reminder of God’s capacity for forgiveness and His past actions in restoring His people, which underpins the community’s plea for renewed mercy.

Plea for Renewal and Salvation (Psalm 85:4-7)

Transitioning from gratitude to supplication, the psalmists plead with God to restore them once more and to put away His indignation towards them. They question how long God will prolong His anger, reflecting a deep communal anxiety about ongoing estrangement from God’s favor.

Request for Revival

The heart of the psalm lies in its earnest appeal for revival, not just in material terms but as a spiritual renewal that re-establishes the people in God’s grace.

Confidence in God’s Promised Salvation (Psalm 85:8-13)

The latter part of the psalm reflects a shift from plea to anticipation of God’s response. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will speak peace to His faithful people, to those who turn their hearts to Him. This section is prophetic, foreseeing a time when salvation is near, and kindness and truth, righteousness and peace, will meet together.

Anticipation of Divine Deliverance

This visionary conclusion portrays an ideal state of restoration where divine attributes harmoniously restore and bless the land, reflecting a deep theological understanding of God’s holistic salvation.

Connections and Theological Implications

Connection to Jesus Christ

Psalm 85 connects to Jesus Christ through its themes of peace, forgiveness, and restoration. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection embody the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation and peace. Christ is often depicted as the personification of truth and grace (John 1:14, 17), and His ministry reconciled humanity with God, bringing the spiritual revival and righteousness that Psalm 85 anticipates.

God’s Love for the World

This psalm demonstrates God’s love through its depiction of His willingness to forgive and restore His people. It highlights God’s desire not just for outward compliance but for heart-level transformation and reconciliation, showcasing His deep commitment to a loving and enduring relationship with humanity.

Relevance Today

Psalm 85 remains profoundly relevant today for several reasons:

• Hope in Difficult Times: It provides believers with a framework for understanding and responding to divine discipline, emphasizing that restoration follows repentance.
• Guide for Prayer and Reflection: The psalm serves as a guide for communal and individual prayer, especially in times of spiritual dryness or societal turmoil, encouraging a plea for divine intervention.
• Model of Eschatological Hope: The psalm’s vision of righteousness and peace springing forth offers a model of eschatological hope, affirming the Christian belief in a future perfected state where Christ reigns fully and peace is everlasting.

Psalm 85 not only acts as a prayer for restoration but also as an affirmation of God’s ongoing purpose for His people, blending historical experiences of mercy with prophetic promises of future salvation.