“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” (Ps 85:8)

Some think that this psalm was written a few years after the return from the exile. That is far from certain. But even if it was written well before that time, it certainly would have been treasured at that time. In thinking of the background of this psalm we will do very well to accept the restoration from exile as our primary window into the meaning of this psalm.

There is no discouragement like the discouragement of achieving something long desired only to find that our problems are far from over. They came out of Babylon with great hope. They laid the foundation for the temple, worked on the walls, but slowly gave up these projects. The effort of survival overtook their grand plans for rebuilding Jerusalem. They still faced opposition from without, and temptations from within.

We have all been there: Discouraged, Disillusioned, Doubly defeated.

This psalm offers us a four-step plan for dealing with a situation where we feel disappointed at how things have worked out.

Reflect 

First, we should reflect on past mercies.

Lord, you were favourable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. ² You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. ³ You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. (1-3)

In other words, we should count our blessings.

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” (Johnson Oatman, Jr)

But we must not stop at merely looking back to past blessings.

Pray for Restoration

We should pray for spiritual restoration.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! ⁵ Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? ⁶ Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? ⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. (4-7)

A key word in this psalm is “turn” (shubh). It is used in several senses. It is translated “restore” (1, 4), “turn” (3, 8), and even the word “again” in verse 6 is based on this word. In verse 4 it is used in a request that God would “turn us” (KJV) or “restore us” (ESV, NIV).

Wait

Having counted past blessings and requested current restoration, we must then wait on God.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. (8-9)

We do not find this easy. Several biblical characters did not find it easy. Habakkuk, Abraham, Jeremiah, and many others would be examples of impatience while waiting for the Lord to fulfil his promises, or our requests.

The joy of the return from Babylon was followed by years of difficulty. We must not press forward and try to fulfil God’s promise by our efforts (Zech 4:6). Instead, we must faithfully await his timing.

Meditate

Finally, we should meditate on his promises.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. ¹¹ Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. ¹² Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. ¹³ Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (10-13)

We should not only remember the fulfilled promises of the past but we should meditate on the promises yet to be fulfilled. This is a means of composing our hearts and preparing ourselves to receive his blessing. Those blessings are not primarily the fulfilment of our earthly desires. The Lord’s blessings are of a different nature. The primary manifestations of God’s blessing is not ease but steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).

In these evil days, some say, “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” But we cannot go around in a continual state of outrage. That does not help or heal. There is much to discourage us in the world today. There always has been.

We must learn to pray a prayer like this that focuses our minds on the Lord and awaits his healing, restoring action.