Psalm 85 - A Prayer for Revival and Restored Mercy

Mercy and truth meet together in this prayer for national revival.

Psalms 85: Mercy and Truth Have Met Together

Psalm 85 begins by remembering how the LORD once forgave Israel's iniquity and turned back His anger, then turns that memory into a fresh plea: 'Wilt thou not revive us again?' It stands within the Psalms overview as a bridge between past mercy and present need.


To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favorable to thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

\\85:1\\To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favorable to thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

\\85:2\\Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

\\85:3\\Thou hast taken away all thy wrath; thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thy anger.

\\85:4\\Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thy anger towards us to cease.

\\85:5\\Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thy anger to all generations?

\\85:6\\Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

\\85:7\\Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

\\85:8\\I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace to his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

\\85:9\\Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

\\85:10\\Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

\\85:11\\Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

\\85:12\\Yes, the LORD will give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

\\85:13\\Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Its central image, that 'mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other,' parallels the prayer for revival in <a href="/bible/wbt/habakkuk/chapter-3/2">Habakkuk 3:2</a>. Read it after <a href="/bible/wbt/psalms/chapter-84">Psalms 84</a> to see the pilgrim's longing answered with a promise of restoration.