Side by side
Psalm 85
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: You Have Restored BeforeVerses 1 to 3
"You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity" (85:1).
The people remember what God has already done. He brought them home before.
"You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin" (85:2).
Covered sin — not exposed, not punished, but covered.
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.
Section 2: Restore Us AgainVerses 4 to 7
"Restore us, O God of our salvation, and put away Your displeasure toward us" (85:4).
They know God has done it before. They need it again.
"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" (85:6).
"Show us Your loving devotion, O LORD, and grant us Your salvation" (85:7).
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.
Section 3: Righteousness and PeaceVerses 8 to 13
"I 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" (85:8).
A pause. A turning of the ear. What does God say?
"Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land" (85:9).
"Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed" (85:10).
God's character — his love, his truth, his justice, his peace — are not in conflict. At the cross, they all come together.
"Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven" (85:11).
"The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase" (85:12).
"Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps" (85:13).
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.
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