I. Introduction: Psalm 85 is a unique and powerful psalm that speaks to the very heart of God’s character and His relationship with humanity. This psalm, which is believed to have been penned by the sons of Korah, is a heartfelt plea for restoration and revival, underpinning the profound themes of God’s steadfast love, faithfulness, peace, and righteousness. It paints a vivid picture of God’s mercy, forgiveness, love, and the hope of a restored relationship.
II. Forgiveness (Psalm 85:1-3)
The psalm begins with the psalmist recounting the Lord’s past deeds of forgiveness. The psalmist recalls how God forgave the iniquity of His people and covered all their sins (Psalm 85:2). These verses remind us of God’s past merciful acts and set a precedent for the current plea for restoration. Cross-references include Psalm 32:1 (blessedness of forgiveness), Psalm 103:12 (God’s complete removal of sins), and Micah 7:18 (God’s compassion and forgiveness).
III. Restoration (Psalm 85:4-7)
The psalmist then implores God to restore His people, expressing the emotional toll of prolonged anger. The plea for restoration underscores the yearning for God to relent from His anger and restore His favor (Psalm 85:4-5). Cross-references include Joel 2:25 (God’s promise of restoration), Psalm 80:3 (prayer for restoration), and Jeremiah 30:17 (God’s commitment to restore health and healing).
IV. Promise of Peace and Glory (Psalm 85:8-9)
The psalmist then shifts to conveying God’s promise to speak peace to His people, those who turn their hearts to Him (Psalm 85:8). His glory will dwell in the land, painting a picture of a hopeful future (Psalm 85:9). Cross-references include Isaiah 55:12 (peace and joy in creation), Numbers 6:26 (God’s peace in blessing), and Leviticus 26:6 (promise of peace in the land).
V. Union of Love and Truth, Righteousness and Peace (Psalm 85:10-13)
The concluding verses beautifully depict the union of love and truth, righteousness and peace, characterizing the nature of God’s kingdom (Psalm 85:10-13). These verses personify and intertwine God’s attributes, showing how they work together for the benefit of His people. Cross-references include Psalm 89:14 (God’s throne built on righteousness and justice), Ephesians 2:14 (Jesus as our peace), and John 1:14 (Jesus as full of grace and truth).
VI. Conclusion: Psalm 85 relays the depth of God’s character—His forgiveness, restoration, promise of peace, and the harmonious interaction of His divine attributes. As we ponder this psalm, it invites us to experience God’s forgiveness, earnestly seek His restoration, anticipate His peace, and live in the reality of His love and truth, righteousness, and peace. Indeed, Psalm 85 is more than just a psalm; it’s a roadmap to understanding the depth of God’s character and His passionate desire for a restored relationship with His people. It’s an invitation to dwell in the land where love and truth meet, and righteousness and peace kiss. We are called to live in anticipation of this divine reality, embracing the promise of a God who forgives, restores, promises peace, and unifies love, truth, righteousness, and peace in His kingdom.
You might be interested in exploring the concept of forgiveness further, if so you might be interested in the Wikipedia article on Forgiveness. It delves into the different aspects and significance of forgiveness in various contexts. Additionally, if you want to understand more about the themes of revival and restoration mentioned in this psalm, you might find the Wikipedia article on Christian revival a good read.
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