For the music director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

“Lord, You showed favor to Your land;
You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the guilt of Your people;
You covered all their sin.” — Selah

“You withdrew all Your fury;
You turned away from Your burning anger.
Restore us, God of our salvation,
And cause Your indignation toward us to cease.”

“Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
Will You not revive us again,
So that Your people may rejoice in You?
Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation.”

God’s Promise of Peace

“I will hear what God the Lord will say;
For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;
And may they not turn back to foolishness.
Certainly His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.”

“Graciousness and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth sprouts from the earth,
And righteousness looks down from heaven.”

God’s Goodness Toward His People

“Indeed, the Lord will give what is good,
And our land will yield its produce.
Righteousness will go before Him
And will make His footsteps into a way.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 85 is a prayer of restoration. It remembers a time when God forgave and restored Israel, and now calls on Him to do it again. The people are in a time of spiritual dryness or national struggle, and they plead for God’s mercy, revival, and peace.

This psalm beautifully moves from remembrance, to petition, to hope—trusting that the same God who once restored will do so again.

Key Themes:

1. Past Restoration Gives Hope for the Present: The psalm begins by recalling God’s previous mercy and forgiveness (v. 1–3).
2. A Cry for Revival: The people long for joy in God again—not just relief, but renewed delight in Him (v. 4–7).
3. Peace and Righteousness Meet: God’s ideal is not just forgiveness, but a world where truth and righteousness flourish (v. 10–11).
4. Confidence in God’s Goodness: The psalm ends in hope—righteousness will guide God’s people again (v. 12–13).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 85 is a timeless cry for spiritual renewal, personal revival, and communal restoration:

• God’s Past Faithfulness Builds Present Faith: Remembering His mercy helps us ask boldly for more (Lamentations 3:21–23).
• Revival Brings Joy in God: True revival isn’t just activity—it’s a renewed heart that rejoices in the Lord.
• God’s Peace Is Righteousness-Based: Peace isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the fruit of truth and justice.
• He Still Speaks Peace: The Lord speaks to those who listen—but warns us not to return to foolishness (v. 8).

Application

• Pray for Personal and Community Revival: Ask God to revive you and your church—so His joy and righteousness are known again.
• Live in the Tension of Grace and Truth: Be a peacemaker who stands in both righteousness and mercy.
• Seek to Walk in His Footsteps: Let your life follow His righteousness, preparing a path for others.
• Remember, Then Request: Recall what God has done, then boldly ask Him to do it again.

Closing Thought

Psalm 85 is a revival prayer grounded in memory and hope. We ask for renewal not because we are worthy, but because God has done it before—and His mercy has not changed.
“Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You?”