Chapter 85
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Lord, 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.
“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Overview
Psalm 85 is a psalm of the sons of Korah celebrating God's past favor toward Israel and pleading for renewed revival. The psalmist recalls that God has been favorable to the land, brought back the captivity of Jacob, and forgiven iniquity. Yet he now asks: 'Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?' The psalm reaches a magnificent climax: mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
Key Themes
Remembering Past Restoration
The psalmist begins by recalling God's past acts of forgiveness and favor, using them as the basis for renewed hope.
A Prayer for Revival
The cry 'Wilt thou not revive us again?' acknowledges that spiritual renewal is entirely God's work — the people can only ask and receive.
Mercy and Truth United
The meeting of mercy and truth, the kiss of righteousness and peace — these attributes that seem to conflict are perfectly reconciled in God's salvation.
Study Questions
How does remembering God's past faithfulness (vv. 1-3) fuel prayer for present revival?
What does genuine revival look like according to this psalm (vv. 6-7)?
How can mercy and truth 'meet together' and righteousness and peace 'kiss' (v. 10)? Don't these sometimes seem opposed?
What does it mean that 'truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven' (v. 11)?
How does this psalm model praying for spiritual renewal in our own time?
Connection to Christ
The cross of Christ is where mercy and truth met together, where righteousness and peace kissed each other. God's truth demanded judgment for sin, yet His mercy provided a substitute. In Christ, God is both just and the justifier of sinners. He is the revival God sends — the one in whom truth springs from the earth (incarnation) and righteousness looks down from heaven.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 85. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?