DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 85 the Psalmist thanks God for delivering Israel from captivity, most probably the Babylonian Captivity; and he asks God that they might be spiritually revived to a condition of obedience. Today's painting symbolizes the harmony between justice and peace which is necessary for a properly ordered government. This was a key concern of the Psalmist's prayer in the Psalm below.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 45:8. Isaiah 59:14. 2 Chronicles 36:17-23. Ezra. Nehemiah. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 85 - #1. Psalm 85 - #2. Psalm 85 - #3. Psalm 85 - #4. Psalm 85 - #5. Psalm 85 - #6. ]

     In the beginning of the Psalm, the Psalmist lays the foundation for his pleas in the latter part of the Psalm. He speaks to the LORD, stating that the LORD has been favorable to his land and brought back the captivity of his people. Also, he has forgiven the iniquity of his people and covered their sins (1-2). Furthermore, God took away all of his wrath and turned from the fierceness of his anger. On the basis of such considerations, the Psalmist asks God to turn to his people and to cease from being angry. He asks God if he will be angry with them forever -- from generation to generation. He asks God to revive them again so that his people might rejoice in him. He asks for mercy and deliverance (3-7). He then says that he will wait to hear what God the LORD will say to him, because he will speak peace to his people, his saints, if they do not turn again to folly. He notes that God's salvation is near to those who fear him so that glory may once again dwell in their land (8-9). Continuing in his confident tone, he says that mercy and truth have come together; and righteousness and peace have kissed one another. Therefore, truth shall spring out of the earth (a figure of speech denoting true obedience); and righteousness will look down from heaven (meaning that God, in his righteousness, will be satisfied with what he sees). As a result, the LORD will give blessing to the land; and its crops will increase. Righteousness will go before him; and it will guide them in the way of the LORD (10-13).

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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]