Psalms 85


TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM FOR THE SONS OF KORAH.
<<THE SONS OF KORAH>>: This was one of the divisions of Levites whose choirs and orchestration formed part of  the Temple Service.
Music is quite important in the Bible.
 
[Psalms 85:1] LORD, THOU HAST BEEN FAVOURABLE UNTO THY LAND: THOU HAST BROUGHT BACK THE  CAPTIVITY OF JACOB.
This Psalm is pertinent to our own time where part of the People of Judah have returned to their Land and despite problems and some hardships  are getting by reasonably well.
 
[Psalms 85:2] THOU HAST FORGIVEN THE INIQUITY OF THY PEOPLE, THOU HAST COVERED ALL THEIR  SIN. SELAH.
It may be that after the Pogroms in Eastern Europe followed by the Holocaust  that the Almighty absolved Judah of much of its iniquity. It is as if the Jews have been given a second chance and are now being shown favor by God.
 
[Psalms 85:3] THOU HAST TAKEN AWAY ALL THY WRATH: THOU HAST TURNED THYSELF FROM THE  FIERCENESS OF THINE ANGER.
 
[Psalms 85:4] TURN US, O GOD OF OUR SALVATION, AND CAUSE THINE ANGER TOWARD US TO CEASE.
We ask God to help the rest of the Israelite Nation. We ask HIM also to remove the vestiges of retribution for our sins that still remain.
 
[Psalms 85:5] WILT THOU BE ANGRY WITH US FOR EVER? WILT THOU DRAW OUT THINE ANGER TO ALL GENERATIONS?
There are still problems and dangers.  We are afraid for ourselves and our children. We are not perfect and know that if God wants to HE can find plenty that is wrong with us and those around us. We ask God to show mercy unto us and not visit us with temptation and tribulation.
 
[Psalms 85:6] WILT THOU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN: THAT THY PEOPLE MAY REJOICE IN THEE?
We ask the Almighty to keep us going and continue HIS favor towards us and increase it and remove those signs of HIS displeasure that occasionally perturb and threaten us and our offspring.
 
[Psalms 85:7] SHEW US THY MERCY, O LORD, AND GRANT US THY SALVATION.
Salvation from God involves the ability for us to do good and not fall down as we have been liable to do in the past.
Salvation in Hebrew is "YESHA" from the root "Sh-A" which involves crying out unto, being heard, being taken out of, providing resources (riches and honor), resourcefulness.
 
[Psalms 85:8] I WILL HEAR WHAT GOD THE LORD WILL SPEAK: FOR HE WILL SPEAK PEACE UNTO  HIS PEOPLE, AND TO HIS SAINTS: BUT LET THEM NOT TURN AGAIN TO FOLLY.
Pease in Hebrew is Shalom involving wholeness, health, contentment, lack of contention.
 
[Psalms 85:9] SURELY HIS SALVATION IS NIGH THEM THAT FEAR HIM; THAT GLORY MAY DWELL IN OUR LAND.
The salvation of the Almighty is freely available. They who fear God may reach out and receive HIS help.  God wants those who fear HIM to do well and be saved from troubles.  They who fear the Almighty should endeavor to do well since this is what God wants from us.
 
[Psalms 85:10] MERCY AND TRUTH ARE MET TOGETHER; RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE HAVE KISSED  EACH OTHER.
Tell the truth, have mercy on others and on ourselves. Avoid telling lies and giving the wrong impression. Have pity on your fellow man. When one deceives another it hurts them even if the matter seems to be of little consequence.  It is as if one stole the trust of another  and fouled their honor.  Most of the time people tell lies when there is no need for it and where with a little tact and circumlocution when necessary the falsehood could be avoided.
 
[Psalms 85:11] TRUTH SHALL SPRING OUT OF THE EARTH; AND RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL LOOK DOWN FROM HEAVEN.
Archaeological discoveries often reveal truths regarding our past. This truth springing out of the earth.  As truth increases so too does the ability provided us from above to do good.
 
[Psalms 85:12] YEA, THE LORD SHALL GIVE THAT WHICH IS GOOD; AND OUR LAND SHALL YIELD HER INCREASE.
We all have to work at something.  There should be a natural increase from our labor.  Repentance and good works can enable this increase to show an effect.
 
[Psalms 85:13] RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL GO BEFORE HIM; AND SHALL SET US IN THE WAY OF HIS  STEPS.
This verse in the Hebrew can also be understood as saying:
RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL CAUSE THE ALMIGHTY TO BE PRESENT AND WHERE IT IS FOUND GOD WILL CAUSE HIMSELF TO ALREADY BE THERE.