Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:9
A Prayer for God’s Mercy on Israel
Psalm 85 is a prayer for restoration that is rooted deeply in trust in God. The setting for the psalm appears to be the restoration of the people of God following a great catastrophe – perhaps the Babylonian captivity. With this psalm, the people prayed for a revival of their spirits and a renewal in their land. The ultimate fulfillment of their prayer would be in the coming of glorious kingdom of the Savior Jesus. This is one of the psalms composed by the sons of Korah. The psalmist praises God for forgiving sin and pleads for restoration and deliverance. He listens intently and receives a promise from the Lord. Now he is confident that the Lord will soon give what is good.
85:1 You have brought back the captivity may refer to the return of the exiles from Babylon. But it also may be a more general reversal of fortune.
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
85:4-7 Your anger: The first section of this psalm already says God’s anger has turned away from the people (v. 3). Yet until the restoration is complete, the people still feel the effects of God’s wrath. This suggests an understanding that the people’s troubles were due to their own sin disciplined by God. Mercy may also be translated “loyal love.”
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation.
85:8, 9 The speaker here may be a priest expecting to hear a direct revelation from the Lord. Such a revelation would be consistent with God’s character. Peace suggests wholeness, fullness, things as they ought to be. The word saints is related to the term translated mercy in v. 7; these are people who reflect the love of God in their own lives. Not turn back to folly: God’s blessing would continue only as long as the people remained faithful to Him.
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
85:10-13 The words mercy and truth often appear together in the Scriptures to express one concept. Here they are viewed as separate entities that come together, in the same way that righteousness and peace have kissed. The union of God’s mercy and truth and His righteousness and peace describes the way things ought to be, or the state of peace spoken of in v. 8. The blending of the ideals of truth and righteousness in v. 11 suggest a vision of the kingdom of God (see Is. 11). The fact that the word righteousness appears three times in the last four verses of this psalm alludes to the holiness of the coming kingdom of God and the sinlessness of the Savior and King who will rule over it.
Four foundation stones (85:10). What gives us confidence in future restoration? Four attributes of God: love, which makes Him want to give us what is best; faithfulness, which guarantees He will keep the promises made to us in Christ; righteousness, which assures us He will do right; and peace, which brings all to harmony and balance. Our restoration is assured by who our God is.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
** Four foundation stones – love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace. Our restoration is assured by who our God is. He will keep His promises. The words spoken by Him written in the Bible. His salvation is near to those who fear Him. It feels very near.
85 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah 3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation. 8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
