Restoration, Refuge, and Reign: Hope Echoes from the Holy City

Welcome to Day 165 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Psalms. Psalms 85–87 carry a deeply prophetic and worshipful tone, centering on God’s restorative mercy, personal intimacy with Him, and the unique spiritual significance of Zion. Psalm 85 is a national prayer for revival, reflecting Israel’s gratitude for past deliverance and their desperate need for renewed mercy. Psalm 86 offers a personal cry from David’s heart, a model of humble prayer marked by trust, reverence, and confidence in God's steadfast love. Psalm 87 shifts from individual and national pleas to a divine declaration of Zion’s glory, portraying Jerusalem as the spiritual birthplace for the nations. Together, these psalms guide the reader from longing for restoration, to personal dependence on God, and finally to a vision of God's redemptive plan radiating from His holy city.

Psalm 85 is a heartfelt national prayer, likely written after the return from exile. The psalm opens by recalling God's past favor—how He forgave the people, turned away His wrath, and restored their fortunes. The community now pleads for renewed mercy and revival, asking God to once again forgive their sins and show His unfailing love. Verses 8–13 shift from lament to hopeful expectation, with the psalmist declaring that salvation is near and that righteousness and peace will kiss—symbolizing the perfect union of God's justice and mercy. The psalm ends with a beautiful vision of God preparing the way for blessing, as faithfulness springs up from the ground and righteousness looks down from heaven. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s restoration is both spiritual and tangible, transforming hearts and lands alike.

Psalm 86 is a deeply personal and passionate prayer of David, marked by humility and complete trust in God’s character. David cries out for mercy, declaring his poverty and need, and confidently affirms that God is “good, ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness.” Throughout the psalm, David acknowledges God’s greatness, praising Him as the only true God who performs wondrous deeds. He asks for an undivided heart to fear God's name and commits to walking in truth. The prayer ends with a plea for strength and deliverance from enemies, asking for a visible sign of God's favor. David's prayer is both intimate and bold, reflecting a relationship rooted in reverence, dependence, and trust in God's faithful love.

Psalm 87 celebrates Zion—Jerusalem—as the city God loves most, the foundation of His redemptive work among the nations. The psalm begins by affirming God's choice of Zion as His dwelling place, more glorious than any other city. What’s striking is the prophetic vision that follows: people from traditionally hostile nations—Egypt (Rahab), Babylon, Philistia, and others—will be counted as citizens of Zion. This reveals a glimpse of God's inclusive salvation, extending His covenant blessings beyond Israel. The psalm climaxes with the image that all people, regardless of origin, will find their spiritual roots in Zion, and that joyful worship will spring from this divine identity. Psalm 87 offers a hope-filled declaration that God's kingdom transcends borders, and that Zion symbolizes a gathering place for redeemed nations.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Psalms" comes from the Greek word Psalmoi, which means "songs" or "melodies." This term was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. In Hebrew, the book is called "Tehillim", meaning “Praises.” Though many of the Psalms are laments or cries for help, the overarching theme is one of worship, adoration, and praise to God. The name reflects the book’s purpose as a collection of poetic songs meant to be sung or recited as expressions of worship and relationship with God.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of the Book of Psalms is to provide a rich devotional and liturgical guide for God’s people. It gives voice to the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, gratitude, confusion, repentance, and hope—and models how to bring those emotions to God in prayer and praise. Psalms teaches believers how to worship, how to lament, and how to trust in God in every season of life. It also contains prophetic elements pointing to the coming Messiah and affirms God's faithfulness, justice, and covenant with His people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 individual psalms written by multiple authors over many centuries. The most well-known contributor is King David, to whom 73 psalms are directly attributed (e.g., Psalm 3, 23, 51). David is referred to as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” in 2 Samuel 23:1, confirming his significant role. Other contributors include:

• Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83) – a Levitical choir leader (see 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 2 Chronicles 29:30).

• The Sons of Korah (Psalms 42–49, 84–85, 87–88) – descendants of a Levitical family assigned to temple worship (1 Chronicles 9:19, 2 Chronicles 20:19).

• Solomon (Psalms 72 and 127) – David’s son and successor.

• Moses (Psalm 90) – one of the oldest psalms; supports Mosaic authorship (see Deuteronomy 31:22, where Moses is said to write songs).

• Heman the Ezrahite (Psalm 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Psalm 89) – associated with wisdom and temple service (1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 15:17–19).

Some Psalms are anonymous, yet they align with themes and styles used by these known authors. Historical Jewish tradition and early church writings, such as those by Origen and Jerome, also affirm the Davidic authorship of many psalms.

Key People:

1. God (Yahweh) – the central figure, described as Creator, Deliverer, Shepherd, King, and Judge.

2. David – both author and subject in many psalms, especially as a representative of the Messianic king.

3. The Messiah – referenced prophetically (e.g., Psalm 2, 22, 110) and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as confirmed in the New Testament (Acts 2:25–36, Hebrews 1:5).

4. Enemies of Israel – including surrounding nations and personal adversaries, used to contrast God’s protection and judgment.

5. The righteous and the wicked – recurring symbolic characters representing those who follow God’s law versus those who rebel.

Conclusion

The Book of Psalms is a spiritual treasure chest that has shaped worship, theology, and prayer for thousands of years. With its vivid language, raw emotion, and deep faith, it connects head and heart, doctrine and devotion. It offers comfort in suffering, strength in trials, and joy in worship. Whether used in personal reflection, congregational worship, or prophetic meditation, Psalms continues to speak to every believer’s walk with God. Ultimately, it points to the greatness of God and His eternal plan of redemption through the Anointed One—Jesus Christ.

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What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet. 

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Psalm 85, God is portrayed as merciful, forgiving, and faithful to His covenant. He is a restorer of His people, one who does not remain angry forever but delights in turning His wrath away. The psalm reflects His nature as both just and compassionate—righteous, yet willing to renew those who repent. God’s character invites hope, as He is not only the one who disciplines but also the one who revives and blesses again.

While specific Hebrew names are not explicitly mentioned, the psalm refers to God as “LORD” (YHWH), emphasizing His covenant-keeping nature. The lesson from this chapter is that restoration follows repentance. God’s people are reminded that remembering His past faithfulness fuels present hope, and when we humbly ask for revival, He is willing to bring peace, salvation, and spiritual renewal.

In Psalm 86, God is seen as attentive, compassionate, patient, and full of steadfast love. David speaks of God as one who listens to the cries of the afflicted, forgives abundantly, and performs great and wondrous deeds. God is deeply personal here—David refers to His care, loyalty, and unmatched greatness, revealing a relational and merciful God who invites continual dependence and praise.

This psalm includes the name Adonai (Lord or Master), used several times by David to express submission and trust. He also uses El-Rachum (Compassionate God) through description, reflecting Exodus 34:6. The lesson God teaches in this chapter is the importance of a humble heart before Him—asking for guidance, strength, and deliverance. God responds not to pride, but to those who walk in truth and seek Him with sincerity and reverence.

Psalm 87 reveals God as sovereign, intentional, and inclusive in His divine plan. He is a God who chooses Zion with delight and assigns it spiritual significance, making it the center of worship and identity for the nations. His character here is visionary and redemptive—He calls those from all nations to belong to Him, breaking the boundaries of geography and heritage.

There are no specific Hebrew names mentioned, but God is referenced as the One who records and establishes citizenship in Zion. The lesson is that God's kingdom is open to all, and He joyfully welcomes those once considered outsiders. It teaches us to see God's redemptive plan through a global lens, recognizing that true identity and joy are found in Him, not in worldly origin.

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Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

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Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

1. How is God’s mercy portrayed in Psalm 85, and what does this reveal about His willingness to forgive and restore?

2. In what ways does Psalm 86 highlight God's attentiveness to personal prayer and His compassion for the afflicted?

3. What characteristics of God are emphasized when He is described as “ready to forgive” and “abundant in lovingkindness”?

4. How do the psalmists in Psalms 85 and 86 express their trust in God's justice and faithfulness?

5. What do these chapters teach us about God's heart for all people, not just Israel?

6. How is God’s sovereignty displayed in Psalm 87, particularly in how He includes other nations in His redemptive plan?

7. What do these psalms collectively teach us about the balance between God’s holiness, justice, and love?

Questions About Themes:

1. What is the main cry or plea of the people in Psalm 85, and how does that connect to the theme of spiritual revival?

2. How does Psalm 86 reflect a theme of personal devotion and trust in God amid hardship?

3. What is the significance of Zion in Psalm 87, and how does it connect to the theme of spiritual identity and belonging?

4. How do these psalms reflect a longing for God's presence and restoration in both personal and communal life?

5. What role does worship play in each of these psalms, and how is it tied to the themes of restoration, deliverance, and hope?

6. How is the theme of inclusion of the nations in Psalm 87 a foreshadowing of the Gospel message?

7. What contrasts or transitions between lament and hope are seen in these psalms, and how do they support the themes?

Reflective Application Questions:

1. In what areas of your life do you need to ask God for revival, as the psalmist did in Psalm 85?

2. How do you respond when God seems distant or when you are waiting for restoration—do you approach Him with confidence like the psalmist?

3. Are your prayers as honest and personal as David’s in Psalm 86? How can you grow in intimacy with God through prayer?

4. What distractions or idols might be keeping you from having an “undivided heart” to fear God's name (Psalm 86:11)?

5. How can you live with the awareness that your true citizenship is in God’s kingdom, as described in Psalm 87?

6. How can your life reflect God’s inclusive heart toward people of all nations, backgrounds, or pasts?

7. What step can you take this week to walk in faithfulness and truth, trusting God’s character in your current situation?

   
   

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans