Psalm 85
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. Psalm 85:1-13 KJV
A psalm to the nation of Israel, but it so obvious that there are implications to be drawn for you and me.
Scholars believe this psalm was written after the return to their land from the Babylonian captivity. It would be easy to see the gracious hand of God resting upon their lives. This would be a physical restoration, but the God of Heaven and Earth seeks a spiritual restoration in His people.
All sins were covered, all wrath removed, and a cry to have His fierce anger to cease. How does this happen? Restoration brings renewal. This process must include confession and repentance of sin. The psalmist says, “Turn us.” Warren Wiersbe says, “The Hebrew word shuv basically means ‘to turn or return,’ and it’s used in verse 1, verses 3, 4, and 8, and verse 6. When we turn back to God, repent, and confess our sins, He turns back to us and restores us.”
The word “revive” in this text simply means to “live again” to be renewed in life. A renewed life is a life of rejoicing; a time of praise and worship to the King. The life of the believer should be the epitome praise and worship to our Lord.
Notice the connection the psalmist places on the attributes of God. Salvation and (reverential) fear; mercy and truth; and finally, righteousness and peace who have actually “kissed one another.”
True righteousness from God brings peace. For Israel, it was peace from its enemies and peace with God. Today one can experience peace with God through His righteousness bestowed on those who believe in the finished work of Christ: His death, burial and resurrection.
Earlier this year, God allowed us to hear a message from His Word on the children of Israel’s beckoning from God to “turn” to the North toward the land of Caanan, the promised land. By turning, God would honor their obedience and prepare them to enter the land flowing with milk and honey.
God has reminded us (TIP International) to turn unto Him so that we can be prepared to receive His blessings. Our obedience and faithfulness to Him is paramount. May we see restoration, renewal, and His righteousness evident in our lives so that we may have peace with God; that we will walk worthy of His calling on our lives; to the praise, honor, and glory of the Lord, our God. Help us, Lord Jesus!