Psalms 85–13
Psalm 85:1-13
Psa.85.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבני: PREP
- קרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ps.42.1 (verbal): Superscription with the same formula — 'To the director of music' and attribution to 'the Sons of Korah' (Hebrew headings identify same musical/authorial designation).
- Ps.84.1 (verbal): Another psalm headed 'For the director of music; for the Sons of Korah' — same structural/authorial superscription as Ps. 85:1.
- Ps.44.1 (verbal): Contains the identical heading formula ('To the director of music; of the Sons of Korah; a maskil'), showing the same Korahite authorship and musical direction.
- Ps.87.1 (structural): Also a Korahite psalm with a chief‑musician superscription; parallels Ps. 85:1 in function and liturgical placement as part of the Sons of Korah collection.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the choirmaster; a psalm of the Sons of Korah.
- To the choirmaster; a psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Psa.85.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רצית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבת: VERB,qal,inf
- שבית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 39:25 (verbal): Uses the same language and promise — God declares he will 'restore the fortunes of Jacob,' linking divine restoration after judgment to the Psalm’s theme.
- Psalm 126:1 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD restoring the fortunes of Zion; closely parallels the Psalm’s motif of God’s favor and the reversal of exile or loss.
- Jeremiah 30:18 (allusion): In the context of future restoration Jeremiah speaks of rebuilding and restoring Israel’s fortunes—an extended prophetic background to the Psalm’s affirmation.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (thematic): Links repentance and divine turning to the healing of the land ('if my people...then I will heal their land'), echoing the Psalm’s appeal to God’s favor for the land.
- Joel 2:25 (thematic): God’s promise to 'restore the years' taken by disaster resonates with the Psalm’s theme of divine restoration and recovery of what was lost.
Alternative generated candidates
- You were favorable, O LORD, to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
- You showed favor, O LORD, to your land; you brought back the captives of Jacob.
Psa.85.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נשאת: PTCP,qal,ptcp,f,pl
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- כסית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- חטאתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Psalm 32:1-2 (verbal): Both verses celebrate the blessing of forgiven transgression and use language of sin being ‘covered’ (כָּסָה), echoing the idea that God has removed or hidden the people's sins.
- Psalm 103:3-4 (verbal): Attributes to God the action of forgiving all iniquity and removing guilt—closely parallels Ps 85:3’s statement that God forgave and covered all their sins.
- Isaiah 6:7 (allusion): The seraph’s declaration that Isaiah’s guilt is taken away and his sin atoned for parallels the notion of God removing/atoning sin in Ps 85:3 (the removal of guilt and forgiveness).
- Micah 7:18-19 (thematic): Describes God as pardoning iniquity, showing steadfast love, and casting sins away—the same theme of divine pardon and removal of sin found in Ps 85:3.
- Numbers 14:18 (structural): Legal/Deuteronomic characterization of Yahweh as merciful and forgiving iniquity and transgression provides theological background for Ps 85:3’s claim that God forgave and covered the people's sins.
Alternative generated candidates
- You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
- You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah.
Psa.85.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אספת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- עברתך: NOUN,f,sg,cstr,2,m,sg
- השיבות: VERB,hifil,perf,2,m,sg
- מחרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 103:8-12 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD not keeping anger forever and removing transgressions (‘as far as the east is from the west he has removed our transgressions’), closely echoing the theme and language of turning away wrath and taking away sin.
- Isaiah 43:25 (verbal): God declares ‘I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions,’ directly paralleling the motif of God removing or forgiving iniquity and so averting his anger.
- Micah 7:18-19 (thematic): Presents God as pardoning iniquity and casting sins into the depths of the sea—the same theological response (forgiveness that averts wrath) found in Ps 85:4.
- Exodus 34:6-7 (thematic): God’s self-revelation emphasizes mercy, forgiveness of iniquity, and patience rather than perpetual wrath, providing the theological background for petitions to turn away divine anger.
- Isaiah 57:16 (thematic): ‘For I will not contend forever, nor will I be always angry’ echoes the appeal in Ps 85:4 for God to turn back from wrath and desist from punishing.
Alternative generated candidates
- You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from the heat of your anger.
- You withdrew all your wrath; you turned back from the heat of your anger.
Psa.85.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שובנו: VERB,qal,imp,2,ms
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישענו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כעסך: NOUN,m,sg,poss-2ms
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 80:3 (verbal): Petition to 'restore/revive' Israel and for God's face to shine so they may be saved—language of revival and salvation closely parallels 'שובנו אלהי ישענו'.
- Psalm 79:5 (verbal): Asks whether God will be angry forever and whether his wrath will endure to all generations—parallels the plea to remove or end God's anger.
- Habakkuk 3:2 (verbal): Prays 'O LORD, revive thy work… in wrath remember mercy'—combines the themes of revival and a request that God temper or relent from wrath, echoing Psalm 85:5.
- Lamentations 3:31-32 (thematic): Affirms that the LORD will not cast off forever and that though he brings grief he will have compassion—theological assurance related to the petition for God to turn away his anger.
Alternative generated candidates
- Restore us, O God of our salvation, and remove your displeasure from us.
- Restore us, O God of our salvation, and put away your displeasure from us.
Psa.85.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הלעולם: PART
- תאנף: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תמשך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אפך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- לדר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 79:5 (verbal): A similar plaint: 'Will you be angry forever?'—same rhetorical question about the duration of God's anger and distress over prolonged divine wrath.
- Psalm 103:9 (verbal): Close verbal parallel affirming that God 'will not always be angry' / 'will not keep his anger forever,' countering the idea of perpetual wrath.
- Psalm 30:5 (thematic): Expresses the theme that God's anger is temporary ('his anger is but for a moment') and that sorrow is not the final word—parallel concern with the temporality of divine displeasure.
- Isaiah 54:8 (thematic): Speaks of a brief hiding of God's face in anger and a swift return to steadfast love—echoes the hope that divine anger will not persist 'to all generations.'
- Numbers 14:18 (thematic): Defines God's character regarding anger and generational consequences ('visiting the iniquity of the fathers to the third and fourth generation'), engaging the same concern about how long judgment or anger extends across generations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
- Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Psa.85.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הלא: PART
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תחינו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,sg
- ועמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2ms
- ישמחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 80:18 (verbal): Uses the same root petition to 'revive' or 'give life' (שׁוּב/חָי) so that the people may not turn away and will call on God's name — a close verbal and plea-parallel.
- Habakkuk 3:2 (verbal): A prayer asking God to 'revive' or renew his work and to show mercy in the years of judgment — shares the verb and plea for divine restoration.
- Joel 2:25-26 (thematic): God's restoration of what was lost leads the people to eat, be satisfied, and rejoice/praise the LORD — parallels rejoicing in God as the result of divine restoration.
- Psalm 126:4-6 (thematic): Prayer for the restoration of fortunes that results in singing and joy — communal joy following God's restoring action echoes Ps 85:7.
- Jeremiah 31:13 (thematic): Promise that God will turn mourning into joy and make the people rejoice in his goodness — thematically parallels the transformation and rejoicing in God after revival.
Alternative generated candidates
- Will you not return and revive us, that your people may rejoice in you?
- Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psa.85.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הראנו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- וישעך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff,2,ms
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 85:7 (structural): Immediate context of the same psalm: the surrounding verses continue the petition for God’s steadfast love and salvation and speak of God’s word of peace to his people.
- Psalm 80:3 (verbal): Directly similar wording and petition—‘Restore us… let your face shine, that we may be saved’—asking for God’s favor and deliverance.
- Psalm 86:16 (thematic): A personal plea for God’s mercy and salvation—‘turn to me and be gracious… save’—echoing the request for God’s steadfast loving-kindness and deliverance.
- Psalm 31:9 (thematic): An urgent plea for God’s gracious help and rescue (‘be gracious to me…’), thematically parallel in petitioning God for mercy and salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
- Show us your grace, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
Psa.85.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אשמעה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- ידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- חסידיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3ms
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- ישובו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- לכסלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 29:11 (verbal): Uses nearly the same language — the LORD will bless his people with peace, echoing God’s promise to speak peace to his people.
- Numbers 6:26 (verbal): Priestly blessing: “The LORD... give you peace” — a short, formulaic promise of divine peace toward God’s people similar to Ps 85:9.
- Zechariah 9:10 (allusion): Speaks of the coming ruler who ‘shall speak peace to the nations,’ echoing the motif of the LORD (or his messenger) proclaiming peace.
- Isaiah 57:19 (thematic): God’s word brings ‘peace…’ (’peace, peace’ to near and far) and healing — a parallel theme of God’s speech producing peace for his people.
- Isaiah 32:17 (thematic): Connects righteousness with the result of peace and quiet — thematically linked to God’s promise of peace to his faithful (his ‘saints’).
Alternative generated candidates
- I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; let them not turn back to folly.
- I will listen to what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his faithful ones—let them not turn again to folly.
Psa.85.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ליראיו: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
- ישעו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+SUF,3,m,sg
- לשכן: VERB,qal,inf
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בארצנו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 33:18-19 (thematic): Both verses stress God's attentive nearness to those who fear/trust him and his readiness to deliver/save them.
- Isaiah 57:19 (thematic): God promises 'peace… to him that is near,' paralleling the idea that salvation/peace is near to the faithful.
- Nahum 1:7 (thematic): Affirms the LORD's goodness and refuge for those who trust him—echoing God's nearness to his fearing/faithful ones.
- Habakkuk 2:14 (thematic): The hope that God's glory will fill the earth parallels 'that glory may dwell in our land' in Ps 85:10.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (allusion): Speaks of the LORD choosing Zion as his dwelling—comparable to the petition or hope that God's glory would dwell in the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Surely salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
- Surely salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Psa.85.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נפגשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- צדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושלום: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשקו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 85:8 (or 85:9 Hebrew) (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verse speaks of God speaking peace to his people, preparing the frame in which 'mercy and truth' and 'righteousness and peace' meet.
- Proverbs 3:3-4 (verbal): Commands mercy (chesed) and truth/faithfulness to be bound to oneself; promises favor and good understanding—language and idea closely parallel mercy+truth and the resulting well-being (righteousness/peace).
- Isaiah 32:17 (thematic): Explicitly links righteousness and peace ('the work of righteousness shall be peace'), echoing the Psalm's pairing of righteousness with peace.
- Micah 6:8 (thematic): Summarizes God's ethical demand as 'to do justly and to love mercy'—pairing justice/righteousness with mercy (chesed), thematically related to the Psalm's coupling of these virtues.
- James 3:18 (verbal): New Testament echo: 'the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace'—connects righteousness and peace as inseparable outcomes, reflecting the Psalm's imagery of their meeting/kissing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Steadfast love and faithfulness have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
- Grace and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
Psa.85.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תצמח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וצדק: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשקף: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 85:10 (structural): Immediate context in the same psalm: ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed’ — pairs with v.12’s portrayal of truth and righteousness as coming from earth and heaven.
- Isaiah 45:8 (verbal): Very close verbal and thematic imagery: ‘Drop down, ye heavens... let the earth open, and let them bring forth... let righteousness spring up’—heaven pouring down and earth producing righteousness, echoing v.12.
- Amos 5:24 (thematic): Shared theme of divine justice/righteousness manifesting in the world: ‘But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream’—righteousness pictured as an active, life‑giving force on earth.
- Habakkuk 2:14 (thematic): Related eschatological image of the earth’s transformation: ‘For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD’ — parallels truth springing from the earth and divine righteousness looking down from heaven.
Alternative generated candidates
- Faithfulness springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
- Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Psa.85.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- וארצנו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1pl
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- יבולה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 26:4 (verbal): God promises seasonal rain and that the land will "yield its increase," closely echoing the language and theme of divine provision and agricultural blessing.
- Deuteronomy 28:12 (verbal): God will open his good treasure and give rain to your land in its season so the work of your hands is blessed—parallels the promise that the LORD gives good and the land yields its produce.
- Psalm 67:6 (verbal): "The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us" — a near verbal and thematic parallel celebrating God’s blessing manifested in the land’s produce.
- Psalm 65:9–11 (thematic): A thanksgiving hymn describing God’s abundance—crowning the year with goodness, watering the furrows, and blessing the growth—thematically parallels the LORD’s giving of good and the land yielding its crop.
- Joel 2:23–26 (thematic): Promises of rain, abundant harvests, and the land’s restoration after God’s favor mirror the Psalm’s assurance that the LORD gives good and the land will produce its yield.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
- Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
To the choirmaster; for the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
You showed favor, O LORD, to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah.
You withdrew all your wrath; you turned back the fierceness of your anger.
Return to us, O God of our salvation; and remove your indignation from us.
Will you be angry with us forever? Will your anger endure through every generation?
Will you not revive us, that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
I will listen to what God the LORD will say, for he will speak peace to his people and to his saints—may they not return to folly.
Surely salvation is near to those who fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.
Faithfulness will spring up from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven.
Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.