Psalm 85 "Near to those who fear him."

Photo by Larry George II
 on Unsplash

Psalm for Today = 85:8-9

“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.

 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

    that glory may dwell in our land.”

Comment: In the first few verses of this psalm the writer remembers God’s showing of salvation in the past (thankful remembrance), asks God for help (petition), and then questions how long until God will save his people again (honest doubt, concern, lament), then he seems to quiet himself here in verses 8-9 to listen to what God will say in response to this rather frenetic outpouring of his heart. 

Last night was one of those times for me when I had to open the Bible and sit and listen quietly for what the Lord would speak.

 

The psalmist might not know the timing of God’s deliverance but he is sure of its location (v.9)! "Near to those who fear him."

 

The rest of the psalm concludes in a beautiful poetic dance of confidence that God, as always, will do what is right and that God’s people will respond to love with faithfulness and peace. 

Make it so Lord, Amen!