{"id":7783,"date":"2025-05-29T11:10:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T14:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milagreshoje.com.br\/?p=7783"},"modified":"2025-05-29T11:28:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T14:28:55","slug":"psalm-85-a-deep-reflection-on-mercy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milagreshoje.com.br\/en\/psalm-85-a-deep-reflection-on-mercy\/","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 85: A Deep Reflection on Mercy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> is one of the most moving and meaningful texts in the Book of Psalms. It voices a heartfelt plea for the people\u2019s restoration, invoking divine mercy and reaffirming hope in forgiveness and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we will explore every aspect of Psalm 85<\/strong>\u2014its historical background, spiritual meaning and hidden messages\u2014offering practical reflections for everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85 \u2013 Full Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1 <\/sup>You showed favor, LORD, to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 <\/sup>You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah<\/em>.
3 <\/sup>You withdrew all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
4 <\/sup>Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.
5 <\/sup>Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
6 <\/sup>Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 <\/sup>Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation.
8 <\/sup>I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants\u2014let them not turn to folly.
9 <\/sup>Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 <\/sup>Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 <\/sup>Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 <\/sup>The LORD indeed will give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
13 <\/sup>Righteousness goes before him and prepares a way for his steps.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Psalm<\/figure>\n\n\n

Explanation of Psalm 85<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You showed favor, LORD, to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.<\/strong>
The psalmist begins by acknowledging that God has already acted graciously in the past. \u201cLand\u201d symbolizes the promise, and \u201ccaptivity of Jacob\u201d refers to Israel\u2019s restoration after exile. There is gratitude for the blessings granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah<\/em>.<\/strong>
Here we see forgiveness as a concrete act of God. He not only removes guilt but \u201ccovers\u201d it\u2014he no longer takes it into account. \u201cSelah\u201d signals a reflective pause before the greatness of divine pardon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You withdrew all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.<\/strong>
God ceased the judgment that had been deserved. His \u201cindignation\u201d has ended and the \u201cfierce anger\u201d is turned aside, showing God\u2019s movement toward reconciliation with his people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.<\/strong>
Although they have already experienced restoration, the psalmist asks for continual renewal. The plea is for ongoing salvation and the complete removal of any remaining divine wrath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?<\/strong>
This rhetorical question reveals the people\u2019s anguish under prolonged suffering. It is an emotional appeal that God not keep his anger indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?<\/strong>
The psalmist longs for spiritual renewal. To \u201crevive\u201d means to restore full life\u2014both physical and spiritual. Joy in the Lord is tied to renewed faith and fellowship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation.<\/strong>
This is a direct appeal: that God visibly reveal his mercy and once more grant salvation\u2014understood as deliverance and blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his saints\u2014let them not return to folly.<\/strong>
The psalmist adopts a posture of listening, confident that God will speak words of peace. \u201cFolly\u201d here represents rebellion and wrong paths that must be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.<\/strong>
Salvation is not far off\u2014it is promised to those who revere God. When that happens, \u201cglory\u201d\u2014God\u2019s presence\u2014comes to dwell among the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:10<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.<\/strong>
This verse poetically expresses the union of divine attributes. \u201cMercy\u201d aligns with \u201ctruth,\u201d while \u201crighteousness\u201d harmonizes with \u201cpeace,\u201d signaling a time of spiritual fullness and balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:11<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.<\/strong>
There is an encounter between the human and the divine: \u201ctruth\u201d rises from the earth\u2014perhaps from upright hearts\u2014while \u201crighteousness\u201d comes down from God above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The LORD indeed will give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.<\/strong>
Divine action is also manifested in material blessings. The land bears fruit as a consequence of spiritual renewal and God\u2019s presence among the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:13<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Righteousness goes before him and prepares a way for his steps.<\/strong>
God\u2019s righteousness opens the way. By following the Lord\u2019s \u201cfootsteps,\u201d the people embark on a secure and straight path\u2014pointing to direction, purpose and faithfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Historical Context of Psalm 85<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> was written at a time of deep need. The people of Israel had returned from Babylonian exile, yet the land was still devastated. The psalmist begs for divine favor to restore prosperity and joy. Understanding this context helps capture the intensity of the plea in Psalm 85<\/strong> and the collective longing for renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Structure and Themes of Psalm 85<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> can be divided into three main sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:1-3 \u2013 Remembering Past Blessings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The psalmist recalls God\u2019s wonderful deeds in the past\u2014how he forgave sins, turned away wrath and showed kindness. This remembrance forms the basis for the present plea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:4-7 \u2013 Plea for Restoration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here we find the emotional core of Psalm 85<\/strong>. The psalmist petitions God to restore the people once again, removing his anger and pouring out mercy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85:8-13 \u2013 Confidence in the Divine Answer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> concludes with words of hope and trust. The psalmist believes that God will hear the cry and bring peace, justice and prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spiritual Meaning of Psalm 85<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Spiritual Meaning of Psalm 85<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> offers deep lessons about the relationship between humanity and the divine. It shows that even in times of adversity we can trust in God\u2019s forgiveness and goodness. The psalm also underscores the importance of sincere repentance and a desire for reconciliation. Let us explore these dimensions more closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust in Divine Forgiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 85<\/strong> emphasizes that God is always ready to forgive. Even when the people faced punishment for their errors, there was confidence that God would not remain angry forever. This is a powerful reminder: no matter how great our failures, repentance opens the door to a new beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Forgiveness as spiritual renewal:<\/strong> Forgiveness is not just the cancellation of guilt but an invitation to live a transformed life.<\/li>\n
  • Confidence amid adversity:<\/strong> The psalmist teaches us to keep faith even when we feel distant from God, for he is compassionate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Sincere Repentance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Another essential point in Psalm 85<\/strong> is the value of genuine repentance. It is not merely words or outward gestures but a broken heart that acknowledges its errors and seeks restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Recognizing one\u2019s limitation:<\/strong> The psalmist admits that the people cannot free themselves from suffering.<\/li>\n
    • Seeking reconciliation:<\/strong> Repentance aims to mend the broken relationship between humanity and God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The Role of Hope<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Psalm 85<\/strong> also carries a message of hope. Even when everything seems lost, the psalmist\u2019s voice declares confidence in a better future rooted in God\u2019s mercy and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Collective hope:<\/strong> It is not just individual but shared by the community.<\/li>\n
      • Active hope:<\/strong> Hope involves continuous prayer and vigilance, not passive waiting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Reconciliation with God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Reconciliation is the great spiritual goal presented in Psalm 85<\/strong>. The relationship between God and his people is restored not only to relieve hardship but to establish a new life marked by peace and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n