LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.1
Strong, bold words to speak before God. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. The Jews had a rich history of God’s omnipotence; he was holy before them. He would smite the people for their sins. Yet, due to fervent prayers of his anointed, God would relent.
Abraham interceded for Sodom, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? He even negotiated with God; and God relented, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”2 Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? . . . And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.3 For worshipping a golden calf, God said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.4
Israel began to whore with the daughters of Moab, and began to sacrifice before their gods. They yoked with them. One of them came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation. In his zeal Phinehas entered the chamber and speared them both. Thus, the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. . . . And the LORD said to Moses, . . . he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him . . . . because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”5 Samuel gathered all Israel at Mizpah and prayed to the LORD for them. He fasted and said, “We have sinned against the LORD.” . . . And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.6
Thus, the Psalmist could pray to God directly and with full confidence, knowing that the LORD is good and his love endures forever. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!7 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.8
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died . . . who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.9 . . . I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.10 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.11
Notes:
1. Psalm 85:1-3
2. Genesis 18:22-33
3. Exodus 32:11-14
4. Psalm 106:19-23
5. Numbers 25:1-13
6. 1 Samuel 7:3-11
7. Psalm 84:8-9
8. Psalm 85:4-7
9. Romans 8:34
10. 1 John 2:1
11. Psalm 85:9
