Restoration and Righteousness: The Harmony of God's Love and Justice

Psalm 85 invites us to recall God's past mercies, pray for His forgiveness and guidance, and anticipate His promised peace with eager faith. It beautifully illustrates the harmony of God's love and justice, leading us to meditate on the attributes of God, encouraging us to trust in His timing and His unfailing love.

Verses 1-3: Remembering God's Past Mercy

The Psalm starts with a reflection on the past, acknowledging God's previous acts of forgiveness and mercy towards Israel. The Psalmist recalls how God's anger had been appeased and his wrath diverted away from them.

Verses 4-7: Prayer for Renewed Mercy

The psalmist then pleads with God to restore the nation once more. The speaker calls upon God's unfailing love, imploring for salvation and mercy in their time of distress.

Verses 8-9: Listening for God's Promise

These verses depict the Psalmist's attentiveness to God's words, eagerly waiting to hear His promise of peace. There is an affirmation of faith, that salvation is near to those who revere God, and His glory will dwell in their land.

Verses 10-13: Celebration of God’s Attributes

The final verses are a beautiful poetic description of God's perfect attributes – His love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. They envision a world where these attributes converge, and the Psalmist rejoices in the hope that God will again bring prosperity to His people.

Psalm 85 is a poignant and hopeful prayer from the psalmist on behalf of the nation of Israel. It is a profound reflection on God's mercy, the people's repentance, and the divine promise of restoration. This psalm draws us into a thoughtful meditation on the harmony of God's love and justice, offering a message that still resonates with believers today.

Forgiveness
Divine Mercy
Restoration and Revival
Love and Faithfulness
Righteousness and Peace
Hope and AnticipationPrayer for the Nation
God's Love and Justice
Faith and Repentance
Divine Restoration
Anticipation of God's PromiseThe Psalmist
People of Israel
GodIsrael
Zion (metaphorically)

1. How does Psalm 85 exemplify the Psalmist’s faith in God's promises, despite the challenges faced by Israel?

2. What are some examples from your own life where you have witnessed God's mercy and forgiveness?

3. How does the psalmist’s reflection on God's past mercies inspire hope for future mercy and restoration?

4. In verses 4-7, the psalmist pleads for renewed mercy. How can this passage inform your own prayers in times of personal or communal distress?

5. How can you cultivate a sense of attentiveness, as depicted in verses 8-9, to hear God's promise in your life?

6. What does the interplay of God's attributes (love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace) in verses 10-13 mean to you?

7. How does Psalm 85 affirm the hope and expectation of God’s glory dwelling in the land?

8. How can you apply the message of hope and restoration in Psalm 85 to present-day challenges in your community or the world at large?

9. How might Psalm 85 guide you in seeking God's guidance during difficult times?

10. How can the attributes of God as described in this Psalm provide a template for personal character growth?

11. How does the concept of divine justice in this Psalm relate to modern understandings of justice?

12. How does the Psalmist's patient waiting for God's word inspire your own approach to seeking and hearing God's guidance?

13. What practical steps can you take to promote love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace in your daily life?

14. How does this Psalm encourage you to balance remembrance of God’s past mercies with anticipation of His future blessings?

15. How can the psalmist’s pleas for mercy and restoration guide your intercessory prayers for your community or nation?

16. What does "God's glory dwelling in our land" mean in a contemporary context?

17. How can Psalm 85's view of righteousness and peace lead to action in your life?

18. In the light of this Psalm, how can we pray for our nations today?

19. How does the vision of love and faithfulness meeting together inspire your understanding of reconciliation in your relationships?

20. How does Psalm 85 influence your understanding of God’s nature and His plan for His people?