Psalms 85
Old Testament · King James Version
Psalm 85 remembers a previous act of divine restoration and forgiveness, then turns that memory into a fresh communal prayer. The people ask God to restore them again, revive them, show steadfast love, and grant salvation. The psalmist listens for a word of peace while warning against returning to folly. The closing poetry pictures steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace converging under God's renewed favor.
Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
I 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.
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Context
A communal psalm of the sons of Korah moving from remembered restoration to renewed petition and then to a vision of covenant wholeness. References to land, harvest, revival, peace, and salvation should not be turned into automatic promises of national territory, material prosperity, instant emotional recovery, or immunity from suffering.
Themes & application
- Restoration
- Forgiveness
- Revival
- Peace
- Righteousness
- Faithfulness
Remember past mercy without assuming present renewal is automatic. Seek restoration, listen for God's peace, refuse folly, and hold peace together with righteousness and truth.
Key verses
The people ask God to revive them so they may rejoice in him.
The psalmist listens for God's word of peace and warns against returning to folly.
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace embrace.
Righteousness goes before God and prepares the way for his steps.
Common misreadings of Psalms 85
Misreading: Psalm 85 guarantees immediate revival or emotional relief.
In context: The psalm is a prayer for renewed mercy, not a timetable or technique that controls God's response.
Misreading: Verse 12 promises material prosperity to every faithful person.
In context: The agricultural image belongs to the psalm's covenant setting and is not a universal prosperity formula.
Cross-references
- Psalm 126 — A related psalm of restoration and renewed joy.
Frequently asked questions about Psalms 85
What does Psalm 85:10 mean when righteousness and peace kiss?
Sources & editorial notes
- Translation
- Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 85 text used by the site (en).
- Authorship
- The heading identifies a psalm of the sons of Korah.
- Editorial process
- Synthesis checked against four literary movements and safeguards around restoration, revival, peace, land, and prosperity readings.
References
- Psalm 85 — Primary text and structure.
Author: The Lord Will Editorial Team · Reviewed by: Ugo Candido · Updated: 2026-08-20