Psalms

Introduction
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PSALM 85^*

Prayer for Divine Favor

1For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

I

2You once favored, LORD, your land,

restored the captives of Jacob.^a

3You forgave the guilt of your people,

pardoned all their sins.

Selah

4You withdrew all your wrath,

turned back from your burning anger.^b

II

5Restore us, God of our salvation;

let go of your displeasure with us.^c

6Will you be angry with us forever,

prolong your anger for all generations?^d

7Certainly you will again restore our life,

that your people may rejoice in you.

8Show us, LORD, your mercy;

grant us your salvation.

III

9^*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!

10Near indeed is his salvation for those who fear him;

glory will dwell in our land.

11^*Love and truth will meet;

justice and peace will kiss.^e

12Truth will spring from the earth;

justice will look down from heaven.^f

13Yes, the LORD will grant his bounty;

our land will yield its produce.^g

14Justice will march before him,

and make a way for his footsteps.

* [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).