Psalms 85
Summary for Ps 85:1-13: Ps 85 a The psalmist leads the postexilic community in lament and prayer for full redemption. He ponders God’s past rescue of Israel from exile (85:1-3 b), longs for greater evidence of God’s goodness, and leads the community in prayer for full restoration (85:4-7 c). God responds with a message of peace (85:8-9 d), and the psalm concludes with a lyrical outburst at the grandeur of God’s salvation (85:10-13 e).Summary for Ps 85:1-5: 85:1-5 f Though the psalmist gratefully acknowledges God’s goodness, he also asks God whether his wrath will last forever. 85:1 g God restored the fortunes of Israel by bringing the nation back from exile (see 14:7 h; 126:1 i).
85:2 j When God forgave the guilt of their sins, he gave the people the possibility of fellowship with him (see 32:5 k).
Summary for Ps 85:6-7: 85:6-7 l This prayer for renewal is based on God’s unfailing love for his people.
Summary for Ps 85:8-9: 85:8-9 m When God the Lord speaks, his faithful people listen. He promises them peace, meaning wholeness and well-being (see 37:11 n). They fear the Lord and know that he and his salvation are near to them.
• The Lord does not tolerate foolish ways, such as those that resulted in the Exile.
Summary for Ps 85:10-13: 85:10-13 o In the glorious world of renewal and salvation, all the qualities of God’s care—love, truth, righteousness, and peace—come together and transform the created order into something new (see Isa 32:15-20 p).
85:13 q Righteousness is like a messenger preparing the world for God’s coming in response to the prayers of his people (85:4-7 r; 89:14 s).
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