Psalm 85:1
ESV
Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
NIV
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. You, Lord, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
NASB
Lord, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob.
CSB
For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. Lord, you showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
NLT
Lord, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel.
KJV
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
NKJV
{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.} Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
What does Psalm 85:1 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 85, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 85:1–3 refers to God's chosen people as His "land" and by mentioning Israel's patriarch, Jacob (Genesis 32:28). This may be looking into the past at a prior event or something current. In either case, it may refer to how God brought the exiled Israelites home from Babylon after seventy years of captivity (Jeremiah 25:11). The next section seems to pray that the Lord would repeat this work of forgiveness and restoration.
This psalm looks back to a time when God forgave Israel and restored them. Perhaps during a new time of backsliding, the psalmist prays that the Lord would repeat this work of healing. The song ends with a hopeful description of God's encouraging attributes and an assumption that He will answer these prayers.
