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Psalm 85[a]

Prayer for Divine Favor

For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

I

You once favored, Lord, your land,
    restored the captives of Jacob.(A)
You forgave the guilt of your people,
    pardoned all their sins.
Selah
You withdrew all your wrath,
    turned back from your burning anger.(B)

II

Restore us, God of our salvation;
    let go of your displeasure with us.(C)
Will you be angry with us forever,
    prolong your anger for all generations?(D)
Certainly you will again restore our life,
    that your people may rejoice in you.
Show us, Lord, your mercy;
    grant us your salvation.

III

[b]I will listen for what God, the Lord, has to say;
    surely he will speak of peace
To his people and to his faithful.
    May they not turn to foolishness!
10 Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him;
    glory will dwell in our land.
11 [c]Love and truth will meet;
    justice and peace will kiss.(E)
12 Truth will spring from the earth;
    justice will look down from heaven.(F)
13 Yes, the Lord will grant his bounty;
    our land will yield its produce.(G)
14 Justice will march before him,
    and make a way for his footsteps.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85 A national lament reminding God of past favors and forgiveness (Ps 85:2–4) and begging for forgiveness and grace now (Ps 85:5–8). A speaker represents the people who wait humbly with open hearts (Ps 85:9–10): God will be active on their behalf (Ps 85:11–13). The situation suggests the conditions of Judea during the early postexilic period, the fifth century B.C.; the thoughts are similar to those of postexilic prophets (Hg 1:5–11; 2:6–9).
  2. 85:9 The prophet listens to God’s revelation, cf. Hb 2:1.
  3. 85:11–13 Divine activity is personified as pairs of virtues.

Psalm 85[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
    you restored the fortunes(A) of Jacob.
You forgave(B) the iniquity(C) of your people
    and covered all their sins.[b]
You set aside all your wrath(D)
    and turned from your fierce anger.(E)

Restore(F) us again, God our Savior,(G)
    and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?(H)
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive(I) us again,
    that your people may rejoice(J) in you?
Show us your unfailing love,(K) Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.(L)

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace(M) to his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.(N)
Surely his salvation(O) is near those who fear him,
    that his glory(P) may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness(Q) meet together;
    righteousness(R) and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness(S) looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,(T)
    and our land will yield(U) its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
  2. Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.