Psalms 85:12

KJV

Yea, the LORD shall give [that which is] good; and our land shall yield her increase.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, the LORD {H3068} shall give {H5414}{H8799)} that which is good {H2896}; and our land {H776} shall yield {H5414}{H8799)} her increase {H2981}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI will also grant prosperity; our land will yield its harvest.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

American Standard Version

Yea, Jehovah will give that which is good; And our land shall yield its increase.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 85:12 is a profound declaration of faith and hopeful anticipation, asserting God's benevolent provision and the resultant flourishing of His people and their land. Rooted in a communal prayer for restoration and revival, this verse confidently proclaims that divine favor will manifest in tangible blessings, leading to a season of abundance and well-being that reflects God's faithfulness and the fruit of righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for national restoration, transitioning into an expression of hopeful expectation. The psalm opens by recalling God's past mercy and forgiveness, specifically His turning away of the "captivity of Jacob" ([Psalms 85:1-3](/psalms/85-1 "Psalms 85:1-3 - God's Past Deliverance")). However, the present situation is one of distress, prompting a fervent plea for God to "turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease" ([Psalms 85:4](/psalms/85-4 "Psalms 85:4 - Prayer for Revival")). The psalm then shifts from petition to confident expectation, culminating in the beautiful imagery of "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven" ([Psalms 85:10-11](/psalms/85-10 "Psalms 85:10-11 - Righteousness and Peace United")). Verse 12 serves as the confident culmination of this hope, declaring the certain outcome of God's renewed favor and the land's responsiveness to His blessing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact historical setting of Psalm 85 is debated, many scholars place it in the post-exilic period, after the return from Babylon. The people of Israel had returned to their land, but the promised prosperity and full restoration had not yet fully materialized. They faced challenges, perhaps drought, economic hardship, or continued foreign oppression, leading them to lament and seek God's renewed favor. In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, the "increase" of the land was not merely an economic indicator but a direct sign of God's covenant faithfulness and blessing. Conversely, barrenness or famine was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment, as detailed in covenant curses found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thus, the prayer for the land to "yield her increase" was a profound plea for God to restore their physical and spiritual well-being, signifying a return to covenant blessings.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 85:12 significantly contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision and Benevolence**, portraying God as the ultimate source of all good things, both spiritual and material. This theme is central to the psalmist's trust that God will indeed "give that which is good." Secondly, the verse highlights **Agricultural Prosperity as a Sign of Blessing**. In a culture deeply connected to the land, the "increase" of the earth was a tangible manifestation of God's favor, symbolizing peace, stability, and the fulfillment of covenant promises. This stands in stark contrast to the curses of barrenness associated with disobedience ([Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curses of Barrenness")). Finally, the verse speaks to **Restoration and Revival**, functioning as the hopeful outcome of the psalm's plea. It assures that God's turning away of anger and renewed favor will bring not only spiritual renewal but also concrete, material abundance, signifying a complete and holistic restoration of God's relationship with His people and their land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôḇ_):** This highly versatile Hebrew word encompasses a broad spectrum of meaning, including moral goodness, aesthetic pleasantness, beneficial quality, and prosperity. When applied to God's giving, as here, it signifies that He provides everything that is truly beneficial, wholesome, and conducive to flourishing in every dimension of life—spiritual, material, relational, and emotional. It speaks to the inherent goodness of God's character and His desire for the well-being of His creation.
* **Increase (Hebrew, _yəḇûl_):** This term specifically refers to the produce, yield, or fruit of the land. It denotes the tangible outcome of agricultural labor when blessed by divine favor. In the context of an agrarian society, _yəḇûl_ was a direct measure of prosperity and a visible sign of God's blessing on the land, ensuring sustenance and abundance for the community. It emphasizes the physical, material manifestation of God's "goodness" in the natural world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, the LORD shall give [that which is] good":** This opening clause is a confident affirmation of God's active role as the provider. The emphatic "Yea" (or "Indeed") underscores the certainty of this declaration. "The LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes His covenant faithfulness and sovereign power. The phrase "shall give" expresses a future certainty, not merely a possibility. "That which is good" is comprehensive, referring to all forms of blessing and well-being that originate from God's benevolent hand, encompassing spiritual favor, moral uprightness, and material provision.
* **"and our land shall yield her increase":** This second clause describes the tangible, earthly consequence of God's giving. The "land" is personified, responding to divine blessing by producing abundantly. "Shall yield her increase" directly points to agricultural fertility and prosperity, a primary sign of God's favor in ancient Israel. It signifies a reversal of any previous barrenness or scarcity, demonstrating that God's goodness directly impacts the physical environment, leading to a flourishing existence for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 85:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of hope and divine blessing. **Parallelism** is evident, specifically a form of synthetic or constructive parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "The LORD shall give that which is good" sets the divine action, and "our land shall yield her increase" describes the concrete result of that action, showing how God's goodness manifests. Furthermore, **Personification** is clearly present in the phrase "our land shall yield her increase." The land is depicted as an active agent, capable of "yielding" or producing, as if in response to God's blessing, rather than merely being a passive recipient. This imbues the natural world with a sense of vitality and responsiveness to divine favor. Finally, the verse utilizes vivid **Imagery** of agricultural abundance and fertility, which would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society. This imagery evokes a sense of peace, security, and prosperity, painting a picture of a flourishing existence under God's benevolent hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 85:12 stands as a powerful testament to God's character as the ultimate giver of all good things, linking divine righteousness and human flourishing. It encapsulates the profound biblical truth that God's blessings are holistic, encompassing both spiritual and material dimensions. The psalmist's confident declaration underscores the principle that when God's people turn to Him in repentance and seek His face, His favor is restored, leading to tangible manifestations of His goodness in their lives and environment. This verse reminds us that God is not only the source of spiritual renewal but also the sustainer of physical life, providing for the needs of His creation. The "increase" of the land is a visible sign of His covenant faithfulness and His desire for His people to live in abundance, reflecting His own generosity and the fruit of a right relationship with Him.

* [Deuteronomy 28:12](/deuteronomy/28-12 "God's Blessings on the Land")
* [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bringing the Tithes and Receiving Blessing")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "Every Good and Perfect Gift")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 85:12 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's unwavering faithfulness and His desire to bless His people. It calls us to cultivate a posture of confident expectation, trusting that the Lord is indeed the source of all that is truly good, even amidst challenging circumstances. This verse invites us to pray with assurance, knowing that God's provision extends beyond our immediate needs to encompass a holistic flourishing—spiritual, relational, and material. While not a guarantee of specific material wealth, it assures us that when we seek God's righteousness and align our lives with His will, we position ourselves to receive His abundant provision and witness His goodness manifest in various forms. It encourages us to look for the "increase" in our lives—whether it's spiritual fruit, restored relationships, renewed hope, or even tangible provision—as a testament to God's ongoing work of restoration and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's "good" and "increase"?**
* **How does the connection between spiritual revival (as seen in Psalm 85) and tangible blessings influence your prayer life and expectations of God?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to trust that "the LORD shall give that which is good" even when circumstances seem contrary?**
* **How can you be an instrument through whom God's "good" and "increase" flow to others in your community?**

### FAQ
**What does "that which is good" encompass in Psalms 85:12?**

Answer: "That which is good" (Hebrew: _ṭôḇ_) is a comprehensive term that extends far beyond mere material prosperity. It encompasses everything that is morally upright, aesthetically pleasing, beneficial, and conducive to holistic well-being. In this context, it refers to God's benevolent provision in all aspects of life—spiritual favor, peace, righteousness, restored relationships, and indeed, material blessings like the "increase" of the land. It signifies God's desire for His people to flourish completely, reflecting His own perfect character and generosity.

**Is this verse a guarantee of material prosperity for all believers?**

Answer: While Psalms 85:12 certainly speaks of tangible, material blessings ("our land shall yield her increase"), it's crucial to interpret it within its broader biblical context. It is not a blanket guarantee of material wealth for every individual believer at all times. Instead, it highlights God's character as a generous provider and His covenant faithfulness to His people, particularly in a context of national restoration and obedience. The "increase" here is a sign of God's favor and the flourishing that results from a right relationship with Him. In the New Testament, while God promises to meet our needs ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")), the emphasis shifts more towards spiritual abundance, the fruit of the Spirit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "The Fruit of the Spirit")), and the blessings of the Kingdom of God, which may or may not always translate into immediate material wealth in this life. The verse assures us of God's desire for our holistic good, which includes provision, but always in alignment with His sovereign will and purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 85:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "good" that the Lord has given to humanity, the very embodiment of God's benevolent provision. Through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, Christ brought the ultimate spiritual "increase"—salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). He is the true bread of life who gives life to the world ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus the Bread of Life")), and through Him, we experience life "more abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Abundant Life")). The "land" that yields her increase can be understood metaphorically as the hearts of believers and the church itself, which, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, bears spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "The Fruit of the Spirit")). This spiritual "increase" is the evidence of God's redemptive work in the new covenant, where the blessings are primarily spiritual but often manifest in transformed lives and communities. Ultimately, the promise of a flourishing land under God's favor points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and God's people will experience complete and unending abundance in His presence ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Psalms 84:11

For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalms 67:6

[Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.

Leviticus 26:4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

1 Corinthians 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Isaiah 30:23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Isaiah 30:24

The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.