Psalm 85

A Prayer for Revival

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

1Lord, you poured out blessings on your land!

You restored the fortunes of Israel.*85:1 Hebrew of Jacob. See note on 44:4.

2You forgave the guilt of your people—

yes, you covered all their sins.

Interlude

3You held back your fury.

You kept back your blazing anger.

4Now restore us again, O God of our salvation.

Put aside your anger against us once more.

5Will you be angry with us always?

Will you prolong your wrath to all generations?

6Won’t you revive us again,

so your people can rejoice in you?

7Show us your unfailing love, O Lord,

and grant us your salvation.

8I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,

for he speaks peace to his faithful people.

But let them not return to their foolish ways.

9Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

so our land will be filled with his glory.

10Unfailing love and truth have met together.

Righteousness and peace have kissed!

11Truth springs up from the earth,

and righteousness smiles down from heaven.

12Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.

Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.

13Righteousness goes as a herald before him,

preparing the way for his steps.

Psalm 72

A Prayer for a Godly Ruler

A psalm of Solomon.

1Give your love of justice to the king, O God,

and righteousness to the king’s son.

2Help him judge your people in the right way;

let the poor always be treated fairly.

3May the mountains yield prosperity for all,

and may the hills be fruitful.

4Help him to defend the poor,

to rescue the children of the needy,

and to crush their oppressors.

5May they fear you*72:5 Greek version reads May they endure. as long as the sun shines,

as long as the moon remains in the sky.

Yes, forever!

6May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass,

like the showers that water the earth.

7May all the godly flourish during his reign.

May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.

8May he reign from sea to sea,

and from the Euphrates River*72:8 Hebrew the river. to the ends of the earth.

9Desert nomads will bow before him;

his enemies will fall before him in the dust.

10The western kings of Tarshish and other distant lands

will bring him tribute.

The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba

will bring him gifts.

11All kings will bow before him,

and all nations will serve him.

12He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;

he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.

13He feels pity for the weak and the needy,

and he will rescue them.

14He will redeem them from oppression and violence,

for their lives are precious to him.

15Long live the king!

May the gold of Sheba be given to him.

May the people always pray for him

and bless him all day long.

16May there be abundant grain throughout the land,

flourishing even on the hilltops.

May the fruit trees flourish like the trees of Lebanon,

and may the people thrive like grass in a field.

17May the king’s name endure forever;

may it continue as long as the sun shines.

May all nations be blessed through him

and bring him praise.

18Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does such wonderful things.

19Praise his glorious name forever!

Let the whole earth be filled with his glory.

Amen and amen!

20(This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.)

Taw

169O Lord, listen to my cry;

give me the discerning mind you promised.

170Listen to my prayer;

rescue me as you promised.

171Let praise flow from my lips,

for you have taught me your decrees.

172Let my tongue sing about your word,

for all your commands are right.

173Give me a helping hand,

for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

174O Lord, I have longed for your rescue,

and your instructions are my delight.

175Let me live so I can praise you,

and may your regulations help me.

176I have wandered away like a lost sheep;

come and find me,

for I have not forgotten your commands.