Sons of Korah
Psalm 85
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
Scripture (KJV)
1LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Summary
Psalm 85 is a communal prayer for restoration, moving from gratitude for past deliverance to a plea for present revival. The sons of Korah recall how God has been favorable to the land, brought back the captivity of Jacob, forgiven the iniquity of His people, covered all their sin, and turned from the fierceness of His anger. Yet they now pray, "Turn us again, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease." They ask whether God will be angry forever and plead, "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?" The turning point comes in verse 8: "I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people." The beloved verse 10 is the theological heart: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Truth springs from the earth, righteousness looks down from heaven, and the LORD gives what is good. The psalm closes with righteousness going before Him and setting His people in the way of His steps.
The major themes are restoration, revival, mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, and God’s salvation. Practically, the psalm teaches that past deliverance fuels present prayer and that God’s salvation is near to those who fear Him. The great lesson is that mercy and truth meet in God’s restoration, and righteousness and peace kiss.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 85
LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You brought back the captivity of Jacob, forgave the iniquity of Your people, and covered all their sin. You turned from the fierceness of Your anger. Turn us again, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Wilt You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people. Let not Your salvation be far from those who fear You. Let mercy and truth meet together; let righteousness and peace kiss. Let truth spring from the earth and righteousness look down from heaven. Let the LORD give what is good, and let our land yield her increase. Let righteousness go before You and set us in the way of Your steps. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the psalm move from gratitude for past deliverance to a plea for present revival?
- 2What does it mean that "mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other"?
- 3How can I listen for God speaking peace to His people?
- 4Where do I need God to revive me again?
Related Psalms
Psalm 80
“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.”
A prayer for the Shepherd to restore and revive the vine He planted.
Read morePsalm 79
“O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.”
A lament over Jerusalem’s destruction, pleading for forgiveness and deliverance.
Read morePsalm 85
“Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.”
A prayer for revival, that God’s steadfast love and righteousness meet.
Read morePsalm 126
“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
Psalm 126 is one of the Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
Read morePsalm 147
“Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise that moves with breathtaking ease between the cosmic and the intimate.
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