Daily Devotion: March 5, 2026

"Revive Us Again" Psalm 85

Psalm 85 is a powerful cry for revival, bridging God’s past faithfulness with a plea for present restoration. It highlights the harmony of divine love and righteousness, focusing on the ultimate peace and salvation found only in God, encouraging believers to listen to His voice and turn from folly

Reading: Psalm 85:6-13

Have you ever looked back at a season of immense spiritual growth and wondered if those days are gone forever? The psalmist in Psalm 85 felt the same tension—rejoicing in God’s past mercies while desperately needing a fresh touch of grace. He asks*"Will You not revive us again?"* (Psalm 85:6). 

Revival isn’t a human invention; it is God’s gift of life to a weary people. It happens when we stop relying on our own strength and turn our hearts toward His voice, which speaks peace (Psalm 85:8).  Psalm 85:10 promises that "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other." This is the gospel! Through Jesus Christ, God’s perfect righteousness and His deep love for us meet together. We don't have to live in fear of God’s anger, but in the assurance of His salvation. 

Bible Study: Psalm 85 - Mercy and Truth

Context: The Sons of Korah likely wrote this after the Babylonian captivity (around 538 BC), when the Jews had returned but were still facing challenges, needing a second, internal spiritual revival. 

1. Remembering Past Grace (Psalm 85:1–3)

• Key Word - Ratsah (Hebrew: favor/favorable): "Lord, you were favorable to your land..." (Psalm 85:1). It implies God’s delight, pleasure, or accepting of a sacrifice. It’s grace shown despite unworthiness.
• Key Word - Kakah (Hebrew: covered): "...you covered all their sins" (Psalm 85:2). This means to hide, pass over, or atone for. This is a picture of total forgiveness, covered by the mercy seat.
• Reflection: How has God shown favor in your life? Recalling past mercy is the foundation for trusting Him today. 

2. The Prayer for Revival (Psalm 85:4–7)

• Theme: The request to "Restore us" (Psalm 85:4) suggests that while they returned to the land, they had not fully returned to God spiritually.
• Greek Concept - Anazao (Revive - implied in Septuagint/Context): To live again, to return to life. True revival results in joy: "...that your people may rejoice in You" (Psalm 85:6).
• Cross Reference: Psalm 80:19 ("Restore us, O LORD God of hosts...") 

3. The Promise of Peace and Harmony (Psalm 85:8–13) 

• The Answer (Psalm 85:8): The psalmist stops speaking and listens to God. God speaks Shalom (peace/completeness) to His faithful people, with a warning not to return to "folly".
• The Intersection (Psalm 85:10):
  • Steadfast Love (Hesed): God’s covenantal, loyal love.
  • Faithfulness/Truth (Emet): God’s reliability.
  • Righteousness (Tsadaq): God’s justice.
  • Peace (Shalom): Wholeness.
• Meaning: God’s justice and mercy seem opposing, but they meet at the Cross.
• The Result (Psalm 85:11-13): Righteousness and peace are active—they look down from heaven and go before Him, guiding our steps

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your past faithfulness. Please revive us again. Show us Your mercy and bring us Your salvation, so that our hearts may rejoice in You. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.