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A Prayer for the Nation's Welfare[a]

85 Lord, you have been merciful to your land;
    you have made Israel prosperous again.
You have forgiven your people's sins
    and pardoned all their wrongs.
You stopped being angry with them
    and held back your furious rage.

Bring us back, O God our savior,
    and stop being displeased with us!
Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will your anger never cease?
Make us strong again,
    and we, your people, will praise you.
Show us your constant love, O Lord,
    and give us your saving help.

I am listening to what the Lord God is saying;
    he promises peace to us, his own people,
    if we do not go back to our foolish ways.
Surely he is ready to save those who honor him,
    and his saving presence will remain in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness will meet;
    righteousness and peace will embrace.
11 Human loyalty will reach up from the earth,
    and God's righteousness will look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will make us prosperous,
    and our land will produce rich harvests.
13 Righteousness will go before the Lord
    and prepare the path for him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by the clan of Korah.

Psalm 85[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord, showed favor to your land;
    you restored the fortunes(A) of Jacob.
You forgave(B) the iniquity(C) of your people
    and covered all their sins.[b]
You set aside all your wrath(D)
    and turned from your fierce anger.(E)

Restore(F) us again, God our Savior,(G)
    and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?(H)
    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive(I) us again,
    that your people may rejoice(J) in you?
Show us your unfailing love,(K) Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.(L)

I will listen to what God the Lord says;
    he promises peace(M) to his people, his faithful servants—
    but let them not turn to folly.(N)
Surely his salvation(O) is near those who fear him,
    that his glory(P) may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness(Q) meet together;
    righteousness(R) and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness(S) looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,(T)
    and our land will yield(U) its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 85:1 In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
  2. Psalm 85:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.