USB ~ Psalms 85

Prayer for Divine Favor

1 For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

2 You once favored, LORD, your land, restored the captives of Jacob. a

3 You forgave the guilt of your people, pardoned all their sins. Selah

4 You withdrew all your wrath, turned back from your burning anger. b

5 Restore us, God of our salvation; let go of your displeasure with us. c

6 Will you be angry with us forever, prolong your anger for all generations? d

7 Certainly you will again restore our life, that your people may rejoice in you.

8 Show us, LORD, your mercy; grant us your salvation.

III

9 †I will listen for what God, the LORD, has to say; surely he will speak of peace To his people and to his faithful. May they not turn to foolishness!

10 Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him; glory will dwell in our land.

11 †Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. e

12 Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven. f

13 Yes, the LORD will grant his bounty; our land will yield its produce. g

14 Justice will march before him, and make a way for his footsteps.

Footnotes

†. Psalm 85 A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2-4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5-8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9-10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11-13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5-11; 2:6-9).

†. 85:9 The prophet listens to God’s revelation, cf. Heb 2:1.

†. 85:11-13 Divine activity is personified as pairs of virtues.

85:2 Ps 14:7; 126:4.
85:4 Ps 78:38; Ex 32:14; Is 48:9.
85:5 Ps 80:4.
85:6 Ps 79:5; 89:47.
85:11 Ps 89:15; 97:2.
85:12 Is 45:8.
85:13 Ps 67:7; Lv 26:4; Ez 34:27; Hos 2:23-24; Zec 8:12.