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Psalm 85

For the worship leader. A song of the sons of Korah.

O Eternal One, there was a time when You were gracious to Your land;
    You returned Jacob’s descendants from their captivity.
You forgave the iniquity of Your people,
    covered all of their sins.

[pause][a]

There was a time when You restrained all of Your fierce wrath,
    when You cooled Your hot anger.

O God of our salvation, bring us back again—as You did before—
    and put away Your anger toward us.
Will You be mad at us forever?
    Will You continue to be angry with our children and theirs?
Will You not bring us back to life once more
    so that we, Your people, will find joy and pleasure in You?
O Eternal One, show us Your unfailing love;
    give us what we truly need: Your salvation.

I will hear what the True God—the Eternal—will say,
    for He will speak peace over His people,
    peace over those who faithfully follow Him, [but do not let them abuse His gift and return to foolish ways].[b]
Without a doubt, His salvation is near for those who revere Him
    so that He will be with us again and all His glory will fill this land.

10 Unfailing love and truth have met on their way;
    righteousness and peace have kissed one another.
11 Truth will spring from the earth like a plant,
    and justice will look down from the sky.
12 Yes, the Eternal will plant goodness in the earth,
    and our land will yield great abundance.
13 Justice will come before Him,
    marking out a path, setting a way for His feet.

Footnotes

  1. 85:2 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”
  2. 85:8 Greek manuscripts read, “to those who turn to Him in their hearts.”

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.