Psalms 85:1-13·~1 min

You Showed Favor to Your Land

The psalmist recalls that the LORD once showed favor to the land and restored the fortunes of Jacob. He forgave the iniquity of his people and covered all their sin. He also withdrew his fury and turned away from the heat of his anger.

F¹or the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. ²You forgave the iniquity of Your people; ³You withheld all Your fury;

Because God has restored before, the community now asks him to restore them again and to put away his indignation. They ask whether he will remain angry forever or prolong wrath through all generations. Instead, they plead that he would revive them again so his people may rejoice in him and that he would show them his steadfast love and grant his salvation.

⁴Restore us, O God of our salvation, ⁵Will You be angry with us forever? ⁶Will You not revive us again, ⁷Show us Your loving devotion, O LORD,

The speaker resolves to listen to what God the LORD will say, convinced that he will speak peace to his people and saints if only they do not return to foolishness. His salvation is surely near to those who fear him, so that glory may dwell in the land.

⁸I will listen to what God the LORD will say; ⁹Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,

The final vision depicts steadfast love and faithfulness meeting together and righteousness and peace kissing. Faithfulness springs up from the earth while righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD gives what is good, the land yields its increase, and righteousness goes before him to prepare the way for his steps.

¹⁰Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; ¹¹Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, ¹²The LORD will indeed provide what is good, ¹³Righteousness will go before Him

Section summaryThe psalm begins by recalling that the LORD once favored the land, restored Jacob, forgave iniquity, and withdrew fierce anger from his people. From that remembered mercy the prayer turns to present need, asking God to restore them again, end his anger, revive them, and show his steadfast love. The speaker then waits to hear God's answer, confident that he will speak peace to his people if they do not return to folly. The psalm closes with a portrait of salvation drawing near, where covenant virtues meet and the land itself shares in the blessing of God's righteous presence.

Role in the chapterThis section moves from remembered forgiveness to present petition and then to confident anticipation, showing how grace received in the past nourishes hope for renewal in the present.