Psalms 85:5

Psalms 85:5 is a poignant cry from a community seeking deliverance and restoration, questioning the duration of God's righteous displeasure. It expresses a deep longing for the cessation of divine wrath and the return of God's favor.

Context

Psalm 85 is a communal prayer, likely offered after a period of national distress or judgment, possibly following the return from Babylonian exile or a similar time of hardship. The psalm begins by acknowledging God's past mercies and forgiveness, recalling how He "hast been favourable unto thy land" and "hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people" (Psalms 85:1-3). However, despite this remembrance of past grace, the people are still experiencing hardship, prompting the plea in verse 5. They yearn for God to turn from His anger and restore their fortunes, leading into a prayer for revival and righteousness in the latter half of the psalm (Psalms 85:6-7).

Key Themes

• Divine Anger and Mercy: The verse highlights the tension between God's just anger against sin and His ultimate desire for mercy and restoration. It is a plea for God to act according to His compassionate nature rather than His punitive justice.
• Hope for Restoration: Despite the desperate questioning, the very act of asking implies a hope that God's anger is not eternal and that He can, and will, turn back to His people. This hope is foundational to the psalm's movement from lament to renewed trust.
• Intergenerational Impact: The phrase "to all generations" underscores a concern not just for the present suffering but for the long-term spiritual well-being of the community and its descendants. It reflects an understanding that God's actions have lasting consequences.
• Repentance and Plea: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the underlying context of the psalm suggests an implicit acknowledgment of sin and a desperate desire for God's forgiveness and intervention, leading to a call for God to "turn us" (Psalms 85:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "angry" (אָנַף - 'anaph) denotes a righteous indignation or displeasure, often resulting from disobedience or sin. The verb "draw out" (מָשַׁךְ - mashak) implies extending or prolonging something over a period. Therefore, the question is deeply concerned with the duration of God's anger – will it be endless, impacting even future generations? This contrasts with other biblical passages that emphasize God's anger is temporary, but His favor is for life (Psalms 30:5) and that He does not retain His anger forever (Micah 7:18).

Practical Application

Psalms 85:5 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

• Honest Prayer: It models an honest and direct approach to God, even when questioning His ways or feeling His discipline. It encourages believers to articulate their deepest fears and longings to the Lord.
• Understanding Discipline: It reminds us that while God's anger against sin is real, His ultimate desire is to restore and show mercy. His discipline is not punitive but redemptive, aimed at bringing His people back into right relationship with Him.
• Hope in God's Character: Even in distress, we can cling to the truth that God's character is fundamentally one of love and mercy. His anger is temporary, but His steadfast love endures forever. We can trust that He will not "draw out His anger to all generations" for those who truly seek Him and repent.
• Seeking Revival: The psalm's plea for an end to anger is a call for spiritual revival and renewed fellowship with God, a pattern we can follow in our own lives and communities.