Psalm for Lent

Psalm 85 contains the verb “return” five times in the first five verses (lashuv) without including the play on words in verse 2 (shavta shvit). The use of this verb (not always clear in translation) should be closely examined.

First and foremost, the verb refers to the return of the captives of Jacob (verse 2) to their ancestral land, which is both the expression of God’s love for this land and also the pardon granted to His people in bringing them home. Then the verb refers to the return of God Himself, as He turns back His anger (verse 3). The repentance of the composer of the psalm leads him to ask “restore us again” (verse 4). And then again the return of God “will You not revive us again” (verse 6).

Throughout the psalm, the unique author of the return is God : He brings back the captives, He turns back His anger and He gives back life.

The human person can also return… to his sinfulness. God seeks peace for His people and His friends so that “they do not go back to their folly” (verse 8).

The first step and condition for conversion is to ask God to return, to bring us back and to keep us faithful.