King James Version

What Does Psalms 85:7 Mean?

Psalms 85:7 in the King James Version says “Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 85 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.”

Psalms 85:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

5

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

6

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7

Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

8

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

9

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Read Psalms 85 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. This verse continues the prayer for restoration, specifically requesting two divine gifts: mercy and salvation. The imperative hare'enu (הַרְאֵנוּ, "show us") means "cause us to see, reveal, make visible." The people don't merely want to hear about God's mercy abstractly but to experience it concretely—to see tangible evidence of His covenant love in their circumstances.

"Thy mercy" (chasdeka, חַסְדֶּךָ) translates the rich Hebrew word chesed (חֶסֶד), often rendered "lovingkindness, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness." Chesed describes God's loyal, enduring, covenant love that doesn't depend on the beloved's worthiness but on the lover's character. It's love that keeps promises, maintains relationships despite betrayal, and persists through hardship. Israel appeals to God's chesed—His covenant commitment to Abraham's descendants that transcends their unfaithfulness.

"And grant us thy salvation" (ve-yish'akha titen-lanu, וְיֶשְׁעֲךָ תִּתֶּן־לָּנוּ) requests the gift of deliverance. The Hebrew yesha (יֵשַׁע, "salvation") means "deliverance, rescue, victory"—God's powerful intervention to save His people from threats, enemies, or judgment. The verb natan (נָתַן, "give, grant, bestow") emphasizes salvation as gift, not earned wage. The imperfect form "grant" suggests polite request or願望 (wish): "would you please give us your salvation?"

Together, mercy and salvation address both the problem (sin requiring mercy) and the solution (deliverance through salvation). The people need mercy to cover their covenant violations and salvation to rescue them from resulting consequences. This prayer anticipates the New Testament gospel: "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us... hath saved us" (Ephesians 2:4, 8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Covenant Loyalty and God's Saving Acts

The concept of chesed (covenant faithfulness) is central to Old Testament theology. When Moses asked to see God's glory, God proclaimed: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness [chesed] and truth" (Exodus 34:6). This became Israel's creedal confession, repeated throughout Scripture (Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2). God's chesed defines His character—He is the faithful covenant-keeper who loves persistently.

Israel's history demonstrated this chesed repeatedly. Despite constant rebellion, God showed mercy: forgiving the golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32-34), providing manna despite complaining (Exodus 16), giving water from rocks (Exodus 17), not abandoning them during judges' era (Judges 2:18-19), restoring after exile (Ezra 1). Each deliverance showcased God's chesed—love that exceeded what Israel deserved, grace that persisted despite repeated failure.

"Salvation" (yesha) appears throughout Psalms (3:8, 35:3, 62:1-2, 96:2, 98:2-3) as God's characteristic action. He saved from Egypt (Exodus 15:2), from Philistines (1 Samuel 14:23), from Assyria (2 Kings 19:34), from Babylon (Ezra 1:1-4). These temporal salvations pointed toward ultimate salvation from sin and death. Isaiah prophesied a Servant who would bring salvation to earth's ends (Isaiah 49:6). The angel announced Jesus's name means "Yahweh saves" (Matthew 1:21) because He would save His people from their sins.

Paul explains the relationship between mercy and salvation: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5). Mercy provides salvation's foundation—we're saved not because we deserve it but because God is merciful. Ephesians 2:4-5 says: "God, who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved)." Psalm 85:7's prayer finds ultimate fulfillment in the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to ask God to "show" His mercy rather than merely hoping He feels merciful toward us?
  2. How is God's covenant faithfulness (<em>chesed</em>) different from human love that depends on the beloved's worthiness?
  3. What is the relationship between mercy (God's loving-kindness) and salvation (God's deliverance), and why must both be present?
  4. How does Israel's historical experience of God's repeated salvations encourage believers to trust Him for present deliverance?
  5. How does Psalm 85:7's prayer for mercy and salvation find ultimate fulfillment in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
הַרְאֵ֣נוּ1 of 6

“Shew”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 6

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ3 of 6

“us thy mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְ֝יֶשְׁעֲךָ֗4 of 6

“us thy salvation”

H3468

liberty, deliverance, prosperity

תִּתֶּן5 of 6

“and grant”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָֽנוּ׃6 of 6
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 85:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 85:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 91:16Psalms 50:23Jeremiah 42:12

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 85 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 85 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes