Psalm 85:1-13
You Forgave Your People
Read the passage
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.
2You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah
3You withheld all Your fury; You turned from Your burning anger.
4Restore us, O God of our salvation, and put away Your displeasure toward us.
5Will You be angry with us forever? Will You draw out Your anger to all generations?
6Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
7Show us Your loving devotion, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation.
8I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.
9Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
10Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
11Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The community remembers that God showed favor, restored Jacob, forgave iniquity, and covered sin. Yet the prayer asks whether God will remain angry or revive them again. Past forgiveness is not used to demand an easy present; it becomes a reason to ask for renewed life.
The singer will listen to the LORD, who speaks peace to His people and will not let them return to folly. His salvation is near those who fear Him, so that His glory may dwell in their land. Loving devotion and faithfulness meet together. Righteousness and peace kiss; faithfulness springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The LORD gives what is good, and the land yields its harvest. Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps. The psalm imagines a restored community where God's character and the people's life agree.
Questions
1 What has God already done?
AnswerHe has shown favor, restored His people, forgiven iniquity, and covered their sin.
2 What does the community ask for now?
AnswerThey ask God to revive them again and show them His loving devotion and salvation.
3 What meets together?
AnswerLoving devotion and faithfulness meet, while righteousness and peace come together.
4 What prepares God's way?
AnswerRighteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.
What This Means for Us
After asking God to revive His people, the singer listens for His answer. We need that willingness when we ask for a fresh start: to hear the Lord’s word, receive His peace, and turn from the folly that harmed us.
Righteousness and peace belong together in this picture of renewal. An apology that leaves the same harm in place has not finished its work. Ask God for the strength to make things right and for the peace that grows with truthful, faithful relationships.
Prayer
God of mercy, revive communities that remember forgiveness but still feel far from peace. Let faithfulness and righteousness meet in our actions, and prepare our household to walk in the way of Your steps. Amen.
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