Psalms 85:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, A Psalm {H4210} for the sons {H1121} of Korah {H7141}. LORD {H3068}, thou hast been favourable {H7521}{H8804)} unto thy land {H776}: thou hast brought back {H7725}{H8804)} the captivity {H7622}{H8675)}{H7622} of Jacob {H3290}.

For the leader. A psalm of the sons of Korach: ADONAI, you have shown favor to your land; you have restored the fortunes of Ya'akov,

You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.

Jehovah, thou hast been favorable unto thy land; Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 85:1 (KJV)

Psalm 85:1 opens with a powerful declaration of God's past faithfulness to His people, Israel. Attributed to the Sons of Korah, this psalm begins by recalling a significant act of divine intervention and favor, setting the stage for a plea for renewed blessing and revival.

Context

This psalm is part of a collection often associated with the post-exilic period, likely reflecting the sentiments of the Israelites who had returned from the Babylonian captivity. Verse 1 specifically looks back to a time when the LORD had shown great mercy and restored His land and people. The phrase "To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah" indicates its liturgical purpose and authorship by a prominent Levitical family known for their musical and prophetic roles in the temple.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Acceptance: The core message of this verse is God's benevolent disposition towards His land and His people. The word "favourable" (Hebrew: ratzah) implies that God has accepted, delighted in, and shown goodwill to His inheritance.
  • Restoration from Captivity: The most prominent theme is the miraculous return from exile. "Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob" directly references the historical event of the Israelites' return from forced displacement, specifically the Babylonian exile, which was a profound demonstration of God's covenant faithfulness.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant: This verse serves as a foundational reminder that God keeps His promises, even when His people have strayed. Their return was not merely a political event but a divine act fulfilling prophecy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "favourable," ratzah (רָצָה), goes beyond mere kindness; it denotes a sense of pleasure, acceptance, and delight. It suggests that God not only allowed their return but did so with gracious approval. "Captivity" (shevut, שְׁבוּת) refers to the state of being carried away or exiled, emphasizing the complete displacement of the nation. "Jacob" is a poetic and ancient name for the nation of Israel, connecting the contemporary experience back to their patriarchal roots and God's original covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Practical Application

Psalms 85:1 offers a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Remembering Past Blessings: Just as the psalmist recalls God's past acts of favor and restoration, we are encouraged to reflect on how God has been faithful in our own lives, providing strength and hope for present challenges. This act of remembering can strengthen our faith in God's enduring goodness.
  • Hope in God's Restorative Power: This verse assures us that God is capable of bringing restoration even from the deepest forms of captivity or despair, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. It speaks to God's ability to turn around seemingly impossible situations.
  • Foundation for Prayer: By acknowledging God's past favor, the psalmist builds a strong foundation for the prayers that follow in the rest of Psalm 85, where he pleads for a renewed outpouring of God's mercy. This teaches us to ground our petitions in God's proven character.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 14:7 (11 votes)

    Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

  • Jeremiah 30:18 (10 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

  • Psalms 77:7 (7 votes)

    Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

  • Ezekiel 39:25 (7 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

  • Joel 2:18 (6 votes)

    ¶ Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

  • Psalms 126:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

  • Psalms 126:2 (6 votes)

    Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.