Psalm 85 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 85 Short Summary:

After a period of sin and repentance, the author of Psalm 85 asks the Lord to show mercy to his people. He asked God to turn away His anger from their nation and restore their land. He longed for God’s salvation, and to see faithfulness springing up from the ground and righteousness filling the sky (85:11).

Psalm 85 Summary

AUTHOR:

• Psalm 85 is a psalm of the sons of Korah.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No Known New Testament References.

THEMES:

• The anger of God against sin.

• The salvation of God that restores sinners and fills their land with righteousness.

DEFINITIONS:

• Indignation (85:4) – God’s anger because of sin.

OUTLINE:

• RESTORE US AGAIN (85:1-13):

  • This psalm was written after a period of discipline in Israel and/or Judah.

  • God’s “hot anger” had been directed at His people, but things were now improving, and God’s people were asking for His forgiveness.

  • In fact, the psalmist wrote of already receiving forgiveness. Psalm 85:2 reads, “You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sins.”

  • The psalmist prayed for God’s mercies to continue, for His anger to be completely extinguished, and for Him to restore the nation.

  • He asked God to revive His helpless people and speak peace to them.

  • He was hopeful that God would answer this prayer, saying, “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land” (85:9).

  • The end of the psalm describes the reconciliation of God and His people in beautiful terms.

  • “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps a way” (85:10-13).

APPLICATION:

• The psalmist draws a picture of a loving greeting between righteousness and peace.

• “Righteousness and peace kiss each other” (85:10). In many cultures, people greet friends with a kiss, especially if they’ve been distant from one another for a long time.

• In Psalm 85, we have the reunion of peace and righteousness, two virtues that are often estranged from one another because of the interference of sin.  

• The greatest reunion of peace and righteousness took place at Calvary, when Jesus died for our sins.

• In Jesus’ death, we are declared righteous and brought into a state of peace with God.

• Peace and righteousness need never be separated again so long as our trust remains in Jesus.