February 26, 2025
A Psalm of Revival
Psalm 85:1-3
Introduction
We have a very simple Psalm before us. In all of it’s simplicity, there is great truth, and blessing found in it, which makes it a golden Psalm to be treasured.
I. Acknowledgment of God’s Goodness! (1-3)
A. Physical blessing -
1. “thou hast been favourable unto thy land” (1)
God has blessed the land
The land is God’s not ours
2. “thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob” (1)
Returning to the homeland!
B. Spiritual blessings
1. “thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people” (2)
2. “thou hast covered all their sin.” (2)
3. “thou hast taken away all thy wrath” (3)
4. “thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger” (3) – No anger!
II. Asking for Revival (4-7)
A. Process (4) “turn us”
1. They were physically returned to the land…
2. Now they must spiritually return to God!
2Chr. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
B. Pity from God (5) “Wilt thou be angry with us for ever?”
1. They were asking for God to have mercy on them!
C. Plea – “revive us again” (6-7)
1. Do we desire to hear from God?
2. Do we desire to be revived by God?
3. “revive US” – we are the ones in need!
4. “again” WE have experienced God in the past, and we need a fresh touch!
5. Joy from revival! “rejoice in thee”
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
6. “salvation” – being fulfilled!
III. Anticipation of God working (8-13)
A. Warning – “let them not turn again to folly” (8)
1. God’s mercy and grace are not so we can live in sin!
B. Salvation (9)
1. There is prophecy in these verses referencing the coming of Jesus Christ!
C. Peace of God (10)
1. WE are not righteous… but Jesus gives us His righteousness for our wicked sin!
D. Truth shall spring (11)
1. Jesus is truth
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.