Psalms 85 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 85

Revive Us Again

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

85:1   LORD, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2   You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you covered all their sin. Selah
3   You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.
4   Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us!
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 steadfast love, O LORD,
    and grant us your salvation.
8   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people, 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   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11   Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
    and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12   Yes, the LORD will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
13   Righteousness will go before him
    and make his footsteps a way.

Commentary

Dependence upon God to forgive and restore.

v1-3: Remembrance of past blessings; we are blessed because the Lord has blessed us; these things point us to the great blessings in Christ; favour/deliverance/forgiveness/atonement/propitiation; that is what God has done for us.

v4-9: See also Ps 77.7-9; God's work on behalf of His people; to restore, to revive, for in Him we find life itself. He gives unfailing love and salvation, and He promises peace.

There is a responsibility upon His people; we are not to return to the folly of living like unbelievers.

v10: Words fulfilled in Christ; mercy (Matt 20.30), truth (John 1.14), righteousness (1 Cor 1.30), peace (Rom 5.1); these things are perfectly balanced in Him. All these things become ours in Christ.

v11: From earth and heaven; Christ's humanity and deity combined; he is the Root and Offspring of David.

v12: The risen Christ is the first fruits (1 Cor 15.20).

v13: Perfectly righteous character; His footsteps are our pathway, not just an example to follow; but He gives strength that we might walk in obedience.