Psalms 85:12

Psalms 85:12 is a confident declaration of God's future blessings and the resulting prosperity, following a prayer for national restoration and revival. It speaks to the tangible outcomes of God's favor upon His people and their land, envisioning a time of abundance and well-being.

Context

Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for deliverance and restoration. The psalm begins by recalling God's past mercies and forgiveness, acknowledging a time when God had "turned away the captivity of Jacob" (Psalms 85:1-3). However, the present situation calls for a renewed outpouring of God's favor, a turning away of His anger (Psalms 85:4-7). Verse 12 comes as an expression of faith and hopeful anticipation, following the beautiful imagery of mercy and truth meeting, and righteousness and peace kissing. It declares the abundant blessings that will flow from God's renewed favor.

Key Themes

• Divine Provision and Blessing: The first part, "Yea, the LORD shall give [that which is] good," highlights God as the ultimate source of all blessings. This "good" encompasses spiritual, material, and relational well-being, demonstrating God's benevolent character and His commitment to His people's flourishing. It assures that God provides all that is truly beneficial.
• Agricultural Prosperity: The phrase "and our land shall yield her increase" directly points to abundant harvests and agricultural fertility. In ancient Israel, an agrarian society, this was a primary and visible sign of God's blessing and a hallmark of peace and stability. It stands in stark contrast to the curses of famine and barrenness often associated with disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:18).
• Restoration and Revival: This verse serves as a hopeful culmination of the psalm's plea for restoration. It assures that God's revival will bring not only spiritual renewal but also tangible prosperity, signifying a complete turning of God's favor back to His land and people after a period of distress.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "good" is tov (טוֹב), a very broad term that signifies not only moral goodness but also pleasantness, prosperity, well-being, and benefit. When applied to God's giving, it implies that He provides everything necessary for a flourishing life, both spiritually and materially. The word "increase" is yevul (יְבוּל), specifically referring to the produce or yield of the land, emphasizing the physical abundance that accompanies divine blessing and agricultural success.

Practical Application

Psalms 85:12 offers powerful encouragement for believers today, reminding us of God's faithful nature:

• Trust in God's Goodness: We are called to confidently look to the Lord as the source of all good things, trusting in His faithfulness to provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). This verse encourages us to pray with expectation for God's blessings.
• Blessings Follow Revival: While not a rigid formula, this verse, in its context within Psalm 85, suggests that national or personal spiritual renewal often precedes or accompanies tangible blessings. When we seek God's face and align with His righteousness, we position ourselves to receive His abundant provision.
• Hope for Future Abundance: Even in times of difficulty, scarcity, or spiritual barrenness, this verse provides a hopeful outlook, assuring that God can and will bring forth "increase" in our lives and circumstances. This could be spiritual fruit, relational restoration, or material provision, reflecting the biblical principle of God's promise to restore the years that the locust has eaten.