Up From the Ground and Down From the Sky
Psalm 85
The angel told Joseph that Jesus came to save His people from their sins (see Matthew 1.21). The angel wrote the words of Christmas of the carol, but Psalm 85 wrote the tune.
Psalm 85 is a brief song that recounts God’s favor to His people in the past and cries out for God to be merciful to them again. In the past, God forgave their iniquity (2), covered all their sins (2), withdrew His wrath (3), and turned away form His hot anger (3). But something has happened for God is once again angry with His people. For this reason, the song asks God’s to put away His indignation (4), to not be angry with His people forever (5). Please, show us Your steadfast love (7) and grant us salvation (7). The psalmist prays with confidence, knowing God will surely speak peace to His people (8). Yes, the song says, the Lord will give us what is good (12).
However, the hopes and fears of the gospel are woven all through this short song.
For instance, notice the “if” in verse (8). God will speak peace to His people, of that, we are confident. But, we are warned not to turn back to our folly (8). However, the song itself bears witness that this is the condition of God’s people, always turning back to our folly and seeking mercy. We are unable to fulfill the “if.”
In addition, notice that the cry is not just for God to forgive (2) and turn away from His anger (5), but also to “restore” (4) and “revive” (6). While “restore” carries the meaning of “turning back,” meaning to turn away from His anger and turn back to His people in steadfast love, “revive” carries more weight. The word means to “have life” or to give life. The psalmist is asking God to do more than simply forgive; the song cries out for God to restore them to the fullness of life.
Notice also the hope that because salvation is near to those who fear Him, glory may dwell in the land (9). Not just forgiveness, but life and dwelling. May the beauty and greatness of God dwell with us. That sounds familiar.
Finally, notice the contrast between the ground and sky (10-12). Weaving steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace together, the song speaks of them springing up from the ground and looking down from the sky. This could be speaking of God’s steadfast love meeting our obedience, but in light of all the other gospel connections, might it also be speaking of the incarnation? Jesus, fully God and fully man, the love of God and righteousness of God combined into One, springing from the ground (fully human) and yet coming down from the sky (fully divine).
And don’t miss how the song ends: righteousness will go before “him” (13). Who is “him”? Perhaps, this refers to His saints (8), but this “him” is singular not plural. Once again, all of our hopes and prayers find their “amen” in Jesus.
How does Psalm 85 function as an Advent Hymn?
The hopes and prayers of God’s people have been for God to forgive us for our sin, to not be angry with us, to restore and revive us. We know we need more than forgiveness. We need to be delivered from our sins, restored, revived. But how can that happen when sin is within us, always turning back to our folly?
We need to be saved from our sins.
As the melody of that cry plays, the angel sings. Mary will bear a son, and you will call his name “Jesus” for He will save His people from their sins. Immanuel, God with us. Conceived by the Holy Spirit. God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Bringing forgiveness, but also deliverance. Restoring and reviving.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Jesus.
So, as we celebrate Advent, let us hear what the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people.