King James Version
Psalm 85
Remembering past moments of grace and restored fortune, the speaker in this chapter asks for fresh spiritual revival and lasting peace. The poem looks forward to a harvest where divine goodness and human faithfulness align harmoniously across the land. Crafted by the Sons of Korah in Book III of the Psalter, this prayer blends post-exilic reflection with quiet optimism for moral and physical flourishing. It envisions a world where virtue and compassion flourish together. A famous poetic highlight describes this union: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
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.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
GO DEEPER
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