In Our Secure Union with Christ and His People
Presented December 12 and 13, 2021
Download or view the PDF below.
Chapter: Psalm 85
This is the overview of the three-week Psalms of Advent class, December 2021.
Download or view the PDF outline here.
Prepared for Psalms Group, December 13, 2020
From beginning to end the subject matter of the psalms is the Lord of Israel. In various ways the many lament psalms or prayers for help that are so pervasive in the Psalter speak to and about God; in so doing they inform the one reading them of what this God is like and why one turns in that direction in times of trouble… What happens is what aways happens in prayer: a theological understanding of the One to whom the prayer is lifted is both implicit and explicit in the prayer. We learn about God as we pray. We say what we know and believe about God as we cry out. That is certainly the case with the psalmist.
Patrick Miller, The Lord of the Psalms, from the Introduction
How often do you experience doubts about God’s existence or God’s character? What seems to trigger those doubts? How do you express those doubts?
Toni’s Title
Surely His Salvation Is Near!
ESV Title
Revive Us Again
Literary Type
This is a community lament.
Laments
More than 1/3 of the Psalms fall into the category of complaints to God in situations of limitation or threat. These laments were a form of prayer and praise based on the conviction that God is concerned about people and answers the human cry in ways surpassing human expectation or understanding. Israel’s laments out of distress were a way of praising God even when he seemed absent. The faith of the psalmists is founded on the good news that God intervenes in desperate situations to help those who are distressed. The psalmists share a deep confidence that God is compassionate, concerned, hearing his people and involved with them; God is faithful and trustworthy. A lament is an outcry to God from a responsive heart. Laments came from individuals or from the community.
Examples: Psalms 3-5, 22, 27:7-14, 42, 51, 69, 90, 130, 137 and many others
NT Prayer Guide
2 Cor. 4:1-15
Superscription
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
85
Benedixisti, Domine
1 Lord, you have been gracious to your land; *
you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the offence of your people *
and covered all their sins.
3 You have taken away all your displeasure *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior, *
and let your anger cease from us.
5 Will you be displeased at us for ever, *
and will you stretch out your wrath from one generation to another?
6 Will you not turn again and quicken us, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will hearken to what the Lord God will say, *
for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again.
9 For his salvation is near to those who fear him, *
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Indeed, the Lord shall show goodness, *
and our land shall give its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and he shall direct his going in the way.