Chronicles of a Journeyman

Psalm 85

1-3: Remembrance of the Lord’s past goodness to Israel

4-7: Present Prayer for mercy, restoration, and revival

8-9: Listening for God’s wise and comforting counsel

10-13: Foretelling future blessedness for God’s people

The psalmist, a Korahite, begins by recollecting God’s past graciousness to His people. Knowing God’s character, he then pleads with the Lord to cease from anger and show grace to His people again.

Next, we see him pause his prayer to listen for the voice of the Lord – His response is expected to bring peace and instruction in His fear so that His glory may descend.

The psalmist closes with a foretelling of the future the psalmist expects – grace, truth, righteousness, peace, and abundance. It is both prophetic and faith-inspired. 

This psalm goes from past recollection to present prayer to future expectation after hearing from God. When we pray, we ought to expect answers to our prayers. Amen!