Click here to read PSALM 85 in poetic form
Background
Psalm 85 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. Psalm 85 shows God’s blessings in the “land” or “earth” (verses 1,9,11,12) where His sanctuary dwells.
The title includes “for the sons of Korah.” This is used seven times in the Exodus book (Psalms 44-49). Since Psalms 42 and 43 are a unit, the first seven Psalms in the Exodus book begin in this way. Psalm 85 is the second of four times (Psalms 84,85,87,88) this heading occurs in the “Leviticus” book in the Psalms.
Regarding the sons of Korah, I Chronicles 9:19 says: “And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the Lord, were keepers of the entry.” They were responsible for service in the tabernacle and later the Temple.
This Psalm is divided into two sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
Structure
(Verses 1,2) God’s goodness and forgiveness in times past
Pause
(Verses 3-13) God’s goodness and forgiveness in the future
Key Scriptures
Verses 4, 7, 9—“Salvation.” This is a major theme of this Psalm. Our Father is the “God of salvation,” who will “grant us Thy salvation,” for “Surely His salvation is nigh,” near us, who trust in Him. We do this today by confessing the savior from sin who brings salvation, Jesus Christ our lord (Romans 10:9,10).
Verse 10—“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Note how these four concepts are tied together from different parts of this Psalm: “mercy” (verse 7) and “truth” (verse 11); “righteousness” (verse 13) and “peace” (verse 8). This beautiful figure of speech shows how mercy and truth unite in God’s blessings, and how his righteousness is gracious and tender (like a kiss) so that it brings peace.
Verse 11—“Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” Truth sprang from the earth in the life of Jesus Christ. God’s righteousness came down from heaven in the life and ministry of His Son. John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” I Corinthians 1:30: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
