Psalms 85

1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah. Lord, you were good to your land: changing the fate of Jacob.

For the music director. A psalm of the descendants of Korah Lord, you have shown your kindness to your land; you have restored Jacob's prosperity.

2 The wrongdoing of your people had forgiveness; all their sin had been covered. (Selah)

You took away your people's guilt; you forgave all their sins. (Selah)

3 You were no longer angry: you were turned from the heat of your wrath.

You took back your fury; you turned away from your fierce anger.

4 Come back to us, O God of our salvation, and be angry with us no longer.

Bring us back to you, God of our salvation! Take away your anger towards us.

5 Will you go on being angry with us for ever? will you keep your wrath against us through all the long generations?

Are you going to be furious with us forever? Will you stay angry with us for all future generations?

6 Will you not give us life again, so that your people may be glad in you?

Won't you restore our lives so your people can find happiness in you?

7 Let us see your mercy, O Lord, and give us your salvation.

Show us your trustworthy love, Lord! Give us your salvation!

8 I will give ear to the voice of the Lord; for he will say words of peace to his people and to his saints; but let them not go back to their foolish ways.

Let me hear what God has to say. God speaks peace to his people, to those who trust in him. But they must not return to their foolish ways.

9 Truly, his salvation is near to his worshippers; so that glory may be in our land.

Truly God's salvation is with those who do as he says. His glorious presence will live with us in our land.

10 Mercy and faith have come together; righteousness and peace have given one another a kiss.

Trustworthiness and faithful love join together; goodness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Faith comes up from the earth like a plant; righteousness is looking down from heaven.

What is true grows up from the earth; what is right looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will give what is good; and our land will give its increase.

The Lord will certainly give us all that is good, and our land will produce fine crops.

13 Righteousness will go before him, making a way for his footsteps.

Truth and right go ahead of him to prepare a path for him to walk on.