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Psalm 85:1
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. LORD, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. LORD, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah.
3You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger.
Notice
The words “your land” make this remembrance of God's favor concrete: the restored fortunes belong to Jacob, and the land itself belongs to YHWH.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you notice about God's favor reaching a land and a people together?
Write on thisWhat past help, if any, could you name before God alongside this remembrance of Jacob's restoration?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Jeremiah 30:18The LORD says: “Behold, I will reverse the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have compassion on his dwelling places. The city will be built on its own hill, and …Both name Jacob as the recipient of God's restoration; Jeremiah describes compassion reaching tents, dwelling places, and the city.
Psalm 42:1For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.Both psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah and address God, one remembering favor, the other expressing thirst for him.
Joel 3:1“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,Both speak of God restoring fortunes, with Psalm 85 naming Jacob and Joel naming Judah and Jerusalem.
Psalm 126:1A Song of Ascents. When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.Both recall restoration accomplished by the LORD; Psalm 126 describes the return to Zion as an experience like dreaming.
Psalm 46:1For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Both psalms are attributed to the sons of Korah and speak of God's help, through restored fortunes or refuge in trouble.
Psalm 14:7Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.Both name Jacob and the LORD's restoration of fortunes; Psalm 14 anticipates rejoicing, while Psalm 85 remembers restoration.
Ezekiel 39:25“Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘Now I will reverse the captivity of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel. I will be jealous for my holy name.Both name Jacob as the recipient of God's restoring action; Ezekiel speaks of reversed captivity and mercy for Israel.
Leviticus 26:42then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham; and I will remember the land.Both mention Jacob and the land; Leviticus speaks of God remembering his covenant, while Psalm 85 recalls his favor.
Joel 2:18Then the LORD was jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.Both describe the land as belonging to the LORD and connect his concern for it with care for his people.
Deuteronomy 32:43Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants. He will take vengeance on his adversaries, and will make atonement for his …Both concern God's land and people; Deuteronomy speaks of vengeance and atonement, while Psalm 85 recalls favor and restored fortunes.
Zechariah 1:16Therefore the LORD says: “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of Armies, “and a line shall be stretched out …Both describe God's favor toward his people's homeland; Zechariah specifies mercy toward Jerusalem and the rebuilding of God's house.
Jeremiah 31:23The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Yet again they will use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I reverse their captivity: ‘The …Both connect God's restoring action with his people's land; Jeremiah describes renewed words of blessing in Judah after captivity.
Where this verse fits
Gratitude. answered prayer. praise and worship.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The restoration named here belongs to Jacob's history. It gives you a concrete act of God's favor to remember: YHWH restored his people's fortunes.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).