Psalm 85

Psalm 85 is being declared by the Psalmist.  In this entire psalm, Yehovah does not speak once.  The Psalmist declares that Yehovah has returned the captivity of Jacob.  Yehovah has been favorable in many ways to His people.  Although God’s anger has lessened, it seems it has not completely subsided.  There is an essential warning in this psalm that is not often heeded by people.  It must be if one is to reach the end of this psalm.  Righteousness becomes the focus at the end of the psalm.  This leaves one with the understanding that we must go from our sin to righteousness if we are to dwell in the land on a permanent basis.

Psalm 85 Intro

To the Chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Chief Musician comes from the Hebrew word נָצַח natsach (H5329).  It is in the Bible 65 times.  It is translated Musician 55 times, set forward 3 times, overseers 3 times, excel 1 time, oversee 1 time, perpetual 1 time and chief singer 1 time.  Just from the variations of words that נָצַח natsach (H5329) is translated should indicate the obvious misunderstanding of the word.  Too often, the translator assumes a meaning.  While this word is used approximately 65 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, almost all of them (except for 5 or 6) are participles, used as verbal-nouns. The participial form has the meaning of “overseer, director,” reflecting the idea that one who is pre-eminent or conspicuous is an “overseer.”  It is in the title of 55 different psalms.  It is translated To the choirmaster in the JB and RSV.  Other translations render it “choir director” (NASB); “chief musician” (KJV); and “leader” (NAB).  The significance of this title is not clear.  Of the 55 psalms involved, 39 are connected with the name of David, 9 with Korah, and 5 with Asaph, leaving only two anonymous psalms.  The Hebrew preposition meaning “to” or “for” which is used with this participle could mean assignment to the person named, or perhaps more reasonably, an indication of a collection of psalms known by the person’s name.  This title is found also at the end of Habakkuk 3, showing that this psalm was part of a director’s collection.  Overseer is the appropriate translation.

Why this Psalm and 10 others are addressed to Korah is unknown.  Korah was infamous for his rebellion, Numbers 16:1-4.

¹ Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took: ² And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the Children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, called out in the congregation, men of renown (shem): ³ And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said to them, too much upon you, seeing all the congregation holy, every one of them, and Yehovah among them: wherefore then lift up yourselves above the congregation of Yehovah? ⁴ And when Moses heard, he fell upon his face:

Numbers 16 details the entire rebellion and what happened to Korah and those involved.  This is summarized in Numbers 26:9-11.

⁹ And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This Dathan and Abiram, called out in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against Yehovah: ¹⁰ And the land opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign. ¹¹ Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

Although Korah died, some of his children did survive.  Korah was a Kohath.  The significance of this is, his family already had responsibilities in the setup and removal of the Ohel of the Congregation.  Even though Korah rebelled, the duties assigned to his family remained, Numbers 4:15.

¹⁵ And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear: but they shall not touch holy thing, lest they die. These the burden of the sons of Kohath in the Ohel of the Congregation.

More than likely, the 11 Psalms addressed to the sons of Korah was because of 1 Chronicles 9:19.

¹⁹ And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the Ohel: and their fathers, over the host of Yehovah, keepers of the entry.

It seems that the sons of Korah were gatekeepers.  In the millennium, this will actually be a fairly important responsibility.  It will be their duty to ensure only those who are of the kingdom, the household of faith, will be allowed to enter.  As such, one cannot merely enter because they think they are saved.  They must be of the faith.  It is therefore incumbent on one to seriously consider the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5.

⁵ Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Yeshua Messiah is in you, except you be reprobates?

One may think that this is ludicrous, but Yeshua states in Matthew 7:21-23.

²¹ Not every one that says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and in Your name have cast out devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.

These thought they had salvation, but they were mistaken.  Do not be mistaken.  Examine yourself, there are consequences to not understanding what is at stake.

It makes sense why it is written in Psalm 84:10.

¹⁰ For a day in Your courts better than a thousand.  I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Redeemer, than to dwell in the Ohel of wickedness.

Psalm 84 is also for the Sons of Korah.  It would be a great honor to be included in this class of people or to even walk with them.  These are among the most righteous of the Kingdom.

Psalm 85:1

¹ Yehovah, You have been favorable to Your land, You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.

To bring back the captivity of Jacob is more than just to enter the land of Israel.  It is referring to Deuteronomy 30:2-4.

² And shall return to Yehovah your Redeemer, and shall obey His voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children (ben), with all your heart (lebab), and with all your soul (nephesh); ³ That then Yehovah your Redeemer will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations (am), whither Yehovah your Redeemer has scattered you. ⁴ If you be driven out to the outmost of heaven, from thence will Yehovah your Redeemer gather you, and from thence will He fetch you:

All Israel has not returned to the land.  There are many Israelites that are lost among the nations.  This is not just a physical happening, it is the Resurrection of the Just and Unjust.  Yeshua refers to this in John 5:28-29.

²⁸ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, ²⁹ And shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation (krisis).

And Paul in Acts 24:15.

¹⁵ And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

What occurs during the Resurrection of the Just and Unjust is described in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.  This parable is about the judgment of those that never heard the unadulterated gospel of God.  If one pays attention to the parable, they will quickly realize that in this parable salvation is based on works of the individual.  This cannot be referring to believers of today.  Additionally when Yeshua returns, He is bringing His saints, believers, with Him, 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

¹³To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Yeshua Messiah with all His saints.

Besides it is believers who will be judging during the millennium, 1 Corinthians 6:2.

²Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

Believers will be doing the judging in the Millennium.  When Yeshua returns, it will be with His saints, believers.  The judgment that occurs in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is for the people that never heard the true gospel.  Do not assume just because one heard something somewhat related, it was the unadulterated gospel.  Refer to Sheep and the Goats for more information.

Psalm 85:2

² You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people (am), You have covered all their sin. Selah.

This is a fairly important scripture to understand in today’s environment and what is going to happen in the Millennium.

For believers today, it is important that we understand that He has paid the price for all our sins.  This includes all future sins too.  Since, when Yeshua died on the cross, all our sins were future.  However, paying for the sin is only part of the equation.  There must also be repentance on our part, 2 Corinthians 7:10.

¹⁰ For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.

To repent is to not repeat the sin.  If one does the sin again, then they were only sorry on a worldly level.  Repentance is to turn towards God on a permanent basis.  This is the repentance the world needs.  He has done His part, it is time we do ours and walk with Him permanently.

In the millennium, the difference will be who will pay for the sin.  Believers today are of John 5:24.

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say to you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (krisis); but is passed from death to life.

Yeshua has already paid for our sins.  The question for those in the millennium is, will they bow the knee and accept the condition of the substitutionary sacrifice of Yeshua?

Psalm 85:3-5

 ³ You have taken away all Your wrath (ebrah), You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger (af). ⁴ Turn us, God of our salvation (yesha) and cause Your anger (kaas) toward us to cease. ⁵ Will You be angry (anaf) with us for ever? Will You draw out Your anger (af) to all generations?

This passage is a significant reminder of what has been occurring during the last 6000 years.  God’s wrath is not something to take lightly.  God has actually suspended part of the law until the end of the millennium.  The one in particular of major concern is Deuteronomy 24:16.

¹⁶ The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

This has not been fully implemented, there are many who commit sins and are not put to death.  However, a time is coming when this will be fully enacted.  This will occur towards the end of the millennium.  One who sins is on their way to the Lake of Fire. There is only one way to avoid this, it is to accept the substitutionary sacrifice of Yeshua.

However, that is not a free ticket as many are led to believe.  To accept the substitutionary sacrifice is to accept the covenant that goes along with it.  One is not free to do whatever they want.  They must operate within the boundaries of the Bible that God has set up.  To do anything outside it is a sin.  That is basically what John tells us in 1 John 3:4.

⁴ Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

The law that John is referring to is Torah.  So may have said that Torah was replaced with a New Testament law.  There is no such thing, there is no verse to even support such a notion.  There are plenty of misunderstandings, but remember Hosea 4:6-9.

⁶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to Me seeing you have forgotten the Torah of your Redeemer, I will also forget your children.

This is not about salvation.  However, if one is saved and ignores Torah; they will be least in the kingdom.  They will not be a Priest in the millennium.  They will not rule and reign with Messiah.  Worse yet most of what they did in this lifetime will be considered dead works.  It will be of non-effect.  This is serious, it is time to understand the word as He intended and not what makes you feel good.  One must understand the covenant or face the consequences, 1 Corinthians 11:30-32.

³⁰ For this cause many weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ³¹ For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. ³² But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

We need to understand that there are consequences for disregarding His Torah.  Something many do today, because they believe the lie that Torah is not for today.

Although He has turned from the fierceness of His anger, it is not completely ceased.  With each person that chooses righteousness and walks in it, there is less wrath involved.  However the day is coming, Revelation 6:17.

¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

This is the same question that Malachi asks, but He has an answer in Malachi 3:2-3.

² But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears? For He like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: ³ And He shall sit a refiner and purifier of silver and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to Yehovah an offering in righteousness.

The answer is, no one can stand at the day of His appearing.  He knows that.  As such, this is why there must be the Baptism of Fire.  However, for that to work; one must be a willing participant.  They must bow the knee or there is an alternative that is not much fun.

First the Levities will be cleansed.  In the millennium, this will be those that will be in the Bride of Messiah and others as deemed necessary to complete the work of the Restitution of All Things.  The offering that they will be presenting is other believers in righteousness.  Those who willingly bowed the knee.  After this, those who are unwilling to bow the knee will go to the Lake of Fire.  They will no longer exist.  When sin is no longer present, then and only then will His wrath cease.

Understand this, His wrath is not the same as ours.  It is somewhat similar to that of Job, Job 1:8.

⁸ And Yehovah said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that none like him in the land, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears Redeemer, and eschews evil?

Job turned from evil; however, this was something that caused Job pain.  It is the same for God.  For a righteous individual, evil, wicked or sin will cause pain.  Even when it is others doing it.  This happens for a number of reasons.  Sin or wickedness is a direct offense against Yehovah; when one considers that He created mankind for righteousness.  It also causes pain, because it hurts the individual and others.  It pains a righteous person to see one who is evil, knowing it does not have to be that way.  Worst of all if the sinner or wicked person does not change, it can have severe consequences for them and other.  For the righteous one, they would much rather see the individual enjoying the fruits of righteousness.  However, with God; He cannot turn away forever, Habakkuk 1:13.

¹³ Of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on iniquity.  Wherefore look You upon them that deal treacherously, hold Your tongue when the wicked devours more righteous than he?

Do not misunderstand, of course God can look on sin.  The issue is if He does, sin will be completely burned up and will no longer exist.  This is true of the one God looks upon who sins.  They will no longer exist.

The issue of the pain wickedness causes is somewhat described in the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-13.

¹¹ And He said, A certain man had two sons: ¹² And the younger of them said to father, Father, give me the portion of goods that comes to me. And he divided to them living. ¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

The younger son was rebellious and would not follow his father’s direction.  The father similar to God could not allow this.  As such, the father caused the son to leave.  The father would rather the younger son stayed; however, the son was rebellious.  For the father, sending the son away was no more less painful.  The father knew what potentially could happen.  And even though the son returned, this is not true in every case.  Sometimes, they are unable to return for various reasons.  Either way, there is no pleasure in the death of the wicked, Ezekiel 18:31-32.

³¹ Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby you have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? ³² For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord Yehovah: wherefore turn and live.

For the most part, this is what has been happening for the last 6000 years.  The parable does not end here, Luke 15:17-19.

¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, ¹⁹ And am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.

The younger son after living a life of sin, realized what the consequences were.  He was willing to repent of his lifestyle that was in opposition to the father’s direction, Luke 15:20-21.

²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.

The son came to the father and repented.  He glorified his father.  The best part of the parable is that the father looked for the son’s return.  Just as God looks for our return.  However, this option will not last forever, Proverbs 29:1.

¹ He, that being often reproved hardens neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

In the millennium, one must choose one way or the other.  If one bows the knee, it will be as in the parable, 15:22-24.

²² But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on feet: ²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill; and let us eat, and be merry: ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

When one bows the knee, they are returning in complete repentance.  These will have eternal life.  These will have a part in the inheritance.

Those who did not return and refused to bow the knee, they will not be known any more.  All sin must be dealt with.  He must deal with it, because we refuse to follow after Him.  As such, He has made a way.

Unfortunately, because many may refuse in the future to repent, God will deal with it.  He will deal with it in a way that will cause Him to do something He never wanted to do.  All because, we would not heed His voice and His commandments.  When all sin is dealt with, His wrath will cease forever.

Psalm 85:6-7

⁶ Will You not revive us again, that Your people (am) may rejoice in You? ⁷ Show us Your mercy, Yehovah and grant us Your salvation (yesha).

The answer is yes.  In the Resurrection of the Just and Unjust, the opportunity for salvation will occur.  This is what the Restitution of All Things is about, Acts 3:19-22.

¹⁹ Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰ And He shall send Yeshua Messiah, which before was preached to you: ²¹ Whom the heaven must receive until the times of Restitution of All Things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. ²² For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brethren, like to me; Him shall you hear in all things whatsoever He shall say to you.

Then people will see the great mercy of our Redeemer Yehovah.

Psalm 85:8

⁸ I will hear what God Yehovah will speak for He will speak peace to His people (am), and to His saints, but let them not turn again to folly.

This is the catch.  When God offers peace the question is, will the individual accept it and eventually walk in righteousness or will they turn again to folly?  Because the fact is, even though Satan is taken out of the picture, Revelation 20:1-3.

¹ And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in His hand. ² And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, ³ And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

During the 1000 years is when the offer of salvation will come for most people, 1 Timothy 2:3-6.

³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; ⁴ Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge (epignosis) of the truth. ⁵ For one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Messiah Yeshua; ⁶ Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The interesting thing in all this is the word knowledge.  It comes from the Greek word ἐπίγνωσις epignosis (G1922).  It means full discernment, precise and correct knowledge of things ethical and divine.  This is not what most people have when they reject the offer of salvation.  This is because so few understand what salvation really is.  The most important gift God can give to man has typically come through individuals who do not live the gospel as it is written.  As such, it was not epignosis when the offer of salvation was made.  This leaves a lot of people in a class of never being able to either accept or reject regardless of what humans may say.  As such, that is why there will be a Restitution of All Things.  God must ensure His offer is correctly made before one is committed in either direction.  That is what the 1000 year reign of Messiah is all about.

During this time, Satan will be in the bottomless pit.  This is so he can no longer deceive the nations as he has done, since the beginning of time.  However, he will be released for a short season at the end of the millennium.  During this time, there will be those that turn again to folly, Revelation 20:7-9.

⁷ And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, ⁸ And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom as the sand of the sea. ⁹ And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

As great as the offer of Salvation will be in the Millennium, there will still be those that will want to do it their way.  What they fail to recognize is that no one gets to do it their own way.  It is either God’s way or Satan’s way.  Satan’s way is coming to an end and so will all those that think they can choose their own way.  Even after God offers in the millennium, some will turn to folly.  Hard to believe, but wait and see.  People reject His ways today who claim to be believers, why should it be any different then?

Psalm 85:9

⁹ Surely His salvation (yesha) nigh them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land.

For one who fears God, Salvation has always been easily obtained.  After Satan is put away, glory will be throughout the land, Numbers 14:20-21.

²⁰ And Yehovah said, I have pardoned according to your (Moses) word: ²¹ But truly I live, all the land shall be filled with the glory of Yehovah.

Psalm 85:10

¹⁰ Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.

When people walk in righteousness, there is always peace, Hebrews 12:14.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Peace and righteous always go together.  When Satan is put down, righteous will be the way of life for all that remain.  It was to be this way from the beginning, Proverbs 29:2.

² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.

Psalm 85:11

¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the land and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

The land is referring to those that deliver the Gospel message in the millennium.  When this occurs Righteousness will be seen in the heaven, because there will be nothing to block it.  Deception will have been removed.

Psalm 85:12

¹² Yes, Yehovah shall give good and our land shall yield her increase.

The increase is all the new believers that come forth in the millennium through the Restitution of All Things.

Psalm 85:13

¹³ Righteousness shall go before Him and shall set us in the way of His steps.

In the end, all will see righteousness surrounds Yehovah.  His righteousness will bring us all in alignment with His steps.  But why wait, when we can be a footstep follower today.  All we have to do is start with John 4:22-24.

²² You worship you know not what: We know what We worship: for salvation is of the Jews. ²³ But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. ²⁴ God a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.

From there, go directly to Matthew 6:33.

³³ But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

And never stop seeking His kingdom and His righteousness.

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