✍ Bible Study
Chapter-by-Chapter Study Guides
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Ch. 15
Ch. 16
Ch. 17
Ch. 18
Ch. 19
Ch. 20
Ch. 21
Ch. 22
Ch. 23
Ch. 24
Ch. 25
Ch. 26
Ch. 27
Ch. 28
Ch. 29
Ch. 30
Ch. 31
Ch. 32
Ch. 33
Ch. 34
Ch. 35
Ch. 36
Ch. 37
Ch. 38
Ch. 39
Ch. 40
Ch. 41
Ch. 42
Ch. 43
Ch. 44
Ch. 45
Ch. 46
Ch. 47
Ch. 48
Ch. 49
Ch. 50
Ch. 51
Ch. 52
Ch. 53
Ch. 54
Ch. 55
Ch. 56
Ch. 57
Ch. 58
Ch. 59
Ch. 60
Ch. 61
Ch. 62
Ch. 63
Ch. 64
Ch. 65
Ch. 66
Ch. 67
Ch. 68
Ch. 69
Ch. 70
Ch. 71
Ch. 72
Ch. 73
Ch. 74
Ch. 75
Ch. 76
Ch. 77
Ch. 78
Ch. 79
Ch. 80
Ch. 81
Ch. 82
Ch. 83
Ch. 84
Ch. 85
Ch. 86
Ch. 87
Ch. 88
Ch. 89
Ch. 90
Ch. 91
Ch. 92
Ch. 93
Ch. 94
Ch. 95
Ch. 96
Ch. 97
Ch. 98
Ch. 99
Ch. 100
Ch. 101
Ch. 102
Ch. 103
Ch. 104
Ch. 105
Ch. 106
Ch. 107
Ch. 108
Ch. 109
Ch. 110
Ch. 111
Ch. 112
Ch. 113
Ch. 114
Ch. 115
Ch. 116
Ch. 117
Ch. 118
Ch. 119
Ch. 120
Ch. 121
Ch. 122
Ch. 123
Ch. 124
Ch. 125
Ch. 126
Ch. 127
Ch. 128
Ch. 129
Ch. 130
Ch. 131
Ch. 132
Ch. 133
Ch. 134
Ch. 135
Ch. 136
Ch. 137
Ch. 138
Ch. 139
Ch. 140
Ch. 141
Ch. 142
Ch. 143
Ch. 144
Ch. 145
Ch. 146
Ch. 147
Ch. 148
Ch. 149
Ch. 150
Revive Us Again: A Prayer for Restoration and Peace
Psalms — Chapter 85 (BSB)
Chapter Overview
Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for national restoration, likely written by the Sons of Korah after a season of exile or national distress. The psalm opens in verses 1-3 with a confident declaration of what God has already done — forgiving sin, restoring the land, and turning away His wrath — which becomes the foundation for the urgent cry in verses 4-7 for God to revive His people once more. Beginning in verse 8, the tone shifts beautifully as the psalmist listens for God's voice and receives a word of peace, promising that salvation is near to those who fear Him. The famous convergence in verses 10-11 — where steadfast love and faithfulness meet, and righteousness and peace kiss — paints a stunning portrait of the harmony God brings when He restores a people to Himself. For the individual believer today, this psalm is a powerful reminder that honest, faith-filled prayer for personal revival is always appropriate, and that God's steadfast love is the ground on which true peace is found.
Key Verses
Psalm 85:2 (BSB)
"You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah"
This verse anchors the entire psalm in the reality of God's forgiveness. Before asking for anything, the psalmist first remembers what God has already done — He has covered sin completely. For you personally, this is an invitation to begin every prayer by recalling that your forgiveness is already accomplished in Christ, and to let that truth fuel your faith when you ask God for renewed blessing.
Psalm 85:6 (BSB)
"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"
This short, bold question is one of the most honest prayers in all of Scripture. It acknowledges spiritual weariness while still directing the heart toward God as the only true source of renewal. When your own spiritual life feels dry or distant, this verse gives you permission to cry out directly and expectantly — God is not put off by your need for revival; He invites it.
Psalm 85:8 (BSB)
"I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly."
After the cry for revival comes a moment of holy stillness — the psalmist deliberately positions himself to listen. This is a profound spiritual discipline: prayer is not only speaking but also waiting and listening for God's voice. The promise here is personal — God will speak peace to you — but it comes with a gentle warning not to drift back into old patterns of sin that led to the distance in the first place.
Psalm 85:10 (BSB)
"Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed."
This breathtaking verse describes the character of God and the nature of true restoration. When God moves in someone's life, it is never at the expense of His righteousness or His love — both are fully present at once. For you, this is a picture of the Gospel itself, where God's justice and His mercy perfectly embraced at the cross of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 85:13 (BSB)
"Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps."
The psalm closes with a vision of God on the move, with righteousness leading the way like a herald before a king. This verse assures you that when God acts, He goes before you — preparing the path, making a way where there seems to be none. Walking with God means trusting that His righteousness is already ahead of you in every situation you are facing.
Main Themes
- God's forgiveness as the foundation of faith
- Crying out for personal and spiritual revival
- The peace that comes when God's love and righteousness meet
Discussion Questions
- Is there an area of your life right now where you need to ask God to 'revive you again' — and what would it look like to bring that honestly to Him in prayer this week?
- When did you last take a quiet moment to simply listen for what God might be speaking to you, and what might He be saying to you right now about peace?
Personal Application
Set aside five minutes this week to pray verse 6 back to God in your own words — tell Him honestly where you feel dry or distant, and ask Him specifically to revive your joy in Him.
Write verse 10 somewhere you will see it daily — on a sticky note, your phone screen, or a journal — and let it remind you that in Christ, God's love and righteousness have already perfectly met on your behalf.
Closing Prayer
Father, I come to You today remembering that You have already forgiven my sin and covered it completely, and I rest in that truth. Like the psalmist, I ask You to revive me again — to stir up fresh joy, renewed faith, and a deeper hunger for Your presence in my daily life. Teach me to listen for Your voice speaking peace over me, and help me to walk in step with Your righteousness that goes before me. In Jesus name, Amen.