You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 85:1? 2. How does Psalm 85:1 show God's past favor to His people? 3. What can we learn about God's character from Psalm 85:1? 4. How does Psalm 85:1 connect to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament? 5. How can we apply the message of Psalm 85:1 in our community today? 6. In what ways can Psalm 85:1 inspire gratitude in our personal prayers? 7. How does Psalm 85:1 reflect God's relationship with Israel throughout history? 8. What historical events might Psalm 85:1 be referencing? 9. How does Psalm 85:1 demonstrate God's forgiveness and restoration? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 85? 11. Psalm 85:1 – How do we reconcile Israel’s supposed restoration from captivity with historical records that do not confirm such an event at that time? 12. Psalm 85 – How can we harmonize this psalm’s hope for national revival with other biblical texts that emphasize permanent punishment or exile? 13. What does "Righteousness and peace kiss" mean? 14. Psalm 85:8-9 - How does this promise of peace and deliverance align with historical evidence of ongoing conflicts in ancient Israel? Discussion Questions 1. How does understanding God's past faithfulness to Israel encourage you in your current circumstances?2. In what ways can you identify "captivities" in your life, and how can you seek God's restoration? 3. How does the concept of repentance play a role in experiencing God's favor and restoration? 4. What are some modern-day examples of God showing favor to His people or nations? 5. How can you incorporate prayer into your life to seek God's guidance and restoration in areas where you feel "captive"?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? Links Psalm 85:1 NIVPsalm 85:1 NLT Psalm 85:1 ESV Psalm 85:1 NASB Psalm 85:1 KJV Psalm 85:1 Commentaries Bible Hub |



