Psalms 85:7
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
Psalms 85:7
“Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.” The psalmist shifts from lament and longing to a direct petition for mercy and salvation. The appeal emphasizes God’s gracious character as a source of mercy and rescue. The term “salvation” encompasses present deliverance and future hope, a theme threaded through the psalms that points forward to ultimate redemption in God’s king and kingdom. The verse resonates with penitential prayers, acknowledging human frailty and seeking God’s intervention to restore, protect, and bless the people.
Mercy and salvation are twin motifs in the Bible’s story of redemption. This couplet reminds believers that mercy is the channel through which salvation comes. The verse also foreshadows the fullness of salvation found in Christ—the one through whom God’s mercy is poured into our lives, transforming us, restoring relationship with God, and empowering righteous living.
Ask God for personal mercy—areas of weakness, guilt, or fear that hinder joyful living. Then request salvation in practical ways: deliverance from destructive patterns, healing of wounds, and freedom to live with purpose. In communities, extend mercy to others—reconciliations, supporting those in need, and working toward justice that reflects God’s gracious salvation.
Cross-References: Psalm 23:6; Isaiah 54:10; Luke 1:78–79; Titus 3:4–7; James 2:13