Psalm 85

“Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. – Selah - You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.” Psalm 85:1-3 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm was written after the return of the exiles in Nehemiah and Ezra’s generation.  Anyone who has suffered rebuke from the Lord and placed on the sideline for a season should take note.  The first section (above) states that God has forgiven His people and resettled them.  But will they settle on just receiving forgiveness?  Do they merely want a clean slate, or do they hunger and thirst for revival?  Restoration of the soul is more important than restoration to the land.

“Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation.” Psalm 85:4-7 (NKJV)

Revival comes AFTER forgiveness and restoration.  And revival always involves reparation to and a renewed focus on God’s Word, the Bible. (Romans 10:17)

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85:8-9 (NKJV)

So, if God is just and true to His Word, in that He will by no means clear the guilty (Numbers 14:18), how can He justify giving Mercy to some people, while Judging others?  He is Just in giving Mercy if those who have sinned will repent and somehow have the penalty for their sins paid for.  Hence, God’s Just requirements will have been satisfied.  In that case, Mercy and the Truth of God’s Word would not be at odds with each other.  Rather, they would be companions!  

“Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.” Psalm 85:10-13 (NKJV)

“For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”  Romans 3:22b-26 (NKJV)  (Compare Psalm 85:13 with Mark 1:1-3)