'Psalm 85' by John Milton
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Thy Land to favour graciously
Thou hast not Lord been slack,
Thou hast from hard Captivity
Returned Jacob back.
Th' iniquity thou didst forgive
That wrought thy people woe,
And all their Sin, that did thee grieve
Hast hid where none shall know.
Thine anger all thou hadst remov'd,
And calmly didst return
From thy *fierce wrath which we had prov'd *Heb. The burning
Far worse then fire to burn. heat of thy
God of our saving health and peace, wrath.
Turn us, and us restore,
Thine indignation cause to cease
Toward us, and chide no more.
Wilt thou be angry without end,
For ever angry thus
Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend
From age to age on us?
Wilt thou not * turn, and hear our voice * Heb. Turn to
And us again * revive , quicken us.
That so thy people may rejoyce
By thee preserv'd alive.
Cause us to see thy goodness Lord,
To us thy mercy shew
Thy saving health to us afford
And lift in us renew.
And now what God the Lord will speak
I will go strait and hear,
For to his people he speaks peace
And to his Saints full dear,
To his dear Saints he will speak peace,
But let them never more
Return to folly, but surcease
To trespass as before.
Surely to such as do him fear
Salvation is at hand
And glory shall ere long appear
To dwell within our Land.
Mercy and Truth that long were miss'd
Now joyfully are met
Sweet Peace and Righteousness have kiss'd
And hand in hand are set.
Truth from the earth like to a flowr
Shall bud and blossom then,
And Justice from her heavenly bowr
Look down on mortal men.
The Lord will also then bestow
Whatever thing is good
Our Land shall forth in plenty throw
Her fruits to be our food.
Before him Righteousness shall go
His Royal Harbinger,
Then * will he come, and not be slow *Heb. He will set his
His footsteps cannot err. steps to the way.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Psalm 85 by John Milton: A Deep Dive into its Meaning
As a literary masterpiece, Psalm 85 by John Milton is an extraordinary piece of work that is often studied and analyzed by scholars and enthusiasts alike. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a beautiful example of how religious texts can be used to create beautiful poetry that transcends time and space.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into Psalm 85, exploring its meaning, themes, and literary devices that make it a work of genius.
Background
Before we dive into the poem, it's essential to understand its background. Psalm 85 is one of the many poems that Milton wrote during his lifetime. Like most of his works, it was written in a time of great turmoil in England.
The poem was written during the Restoration period, which was a time of great political and religious upheaval in England. During this time, the monarchy was restored, and the Church of England was reestablished as the official church of the country.
Milton was a staunch Puritan, and his religious views were at odds with the new government. He saw the Restoration as a betrayal of the principles of the English Revolution, which he had fought for. As a result, much of his poetry during this period took on a decidedly political and religious tone.
Analysis
Now that we have some background information, let's dive into Psalm 85 and analyze its meaning and themes.
Theme of Forgiveness
The central theme of Psalm 85 is forgiveness. Milton begins the poem by invoking God's mercy and asking him to forgive the sins of his people.
Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin.
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
Here, we see Milton asking for God's favor and forgiveness for the people of England. He acknowledges that they have sinned but believes that God can forgive them and restore them to their former glory.
The Importance of Prayer
Another important theme that runs through Psalm 85 is the importance of prayer. Throughout the poem, Milton emphasizes the power of prayer and the need for people to turn to God in times of trouble.
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
Milton believes that prayer is a powerful tool that can bring people closer to God and help them overcome their sins. He encourages people to turn to God in times of need, believing that he is always there to listen and help.
Use of Imagery
One of the most striking features of Psalm 85 is its use of imagery. Milton employs vivid and powerful imagery to convey his message, making the poem all the more memorable and impactful.
For example, in the following lines, Milton uses the image of a river to describe God's mercy and forgiveness:
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
The image of a river flowing freely and bringing life to the land is a powerful one, and Milton uses it here to illustrate the beauty and power of God's mercy and forgiveness.
Use of Metaphor
Milton also makes effective use of metaphor in Psalm 85. In the following lines, he compares God's mercy to a veil that covers the sins of his people:
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin.
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
The metaphor of a veil is a powerful one, suggesting that God's mercy can cover the sins of his people and protect them from his wrath. It is a beautiful and impactful way to convey the idea of forgiveness and mercy.
Use of Alliteration
Finally, Milton makes use of alliteration in Psalm 85 to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, in the following lines, he uses alliteration to emphasize the power of prayer:
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.
The repeated use of the "s" sound in these lines creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis, making the lines all the more memorable and impactful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Psalm 85 is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of forgiveness, prayer, and the power of God's mercy. Milton's use of imagery, metaphor, and alliteration makes the poem all the more memorable and impactful, and it remains a masterpiece of English literature to this day.
Whether you're a literary scholar or simply a lover of great poetry, Psalm 85 is a work that is well worth exploring and enjoying. So take the time to read it, and let its beauty and power wash over you. You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Psalm 85: A Masterpiece of John Milton
John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional works that have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. One of his most celebrated works is Psalm 85, a poem that has been hailed as a masterpiece for its profound themes and eloquent language. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore its various nuances and interpretations.
The poem begins with a plea to God for mercy and forgiveness. The speaker acknowledges the sins of the people and asks for God's grace to be bestowed upon them. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the nature of sin and redemption.
"Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob."
The speaker acknowledges that God has been kind to the people in the past, and asks for that same kindness to be extended to them once again. The reference to the captivity of Jacob is a reminder of the Israelites' exile in Babylon, and serves as a metaphor for the spiritual captivity of the people.
"Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin."
The speaker acknowledges that God has forgiven the sins of the people in the past, and asks for that same forgiveness to be extended to them once again. The reference to sin being covered is a metaphor for the idea of atonement, where sin is washed away and the sinner is made clean.
"Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease."
The speaker acknowledges that the people have strayed from the path of righteousness, and asks for God to guide them back onto that path. The reference to God's anger is a reminder of the consequences of sin, and serves as a warning to the people to turn away from their wicked ways.
"Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?"
The speaker acknowledges that the consequences of sin can be long-lasting, and asks for God's mercy to be extended to future generations. The reference to God's anger being drawn out is a reminder of the importance of repentance, and serves as a call to action for the people to turn away from their sins.
"Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation."
The speaker asks for God's mercy and salvation to be bestowed upon the people. The reference to salvation is a reminder of the ultimate goal of the Christian faith, which is to be saved from sin and death.
"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."
The speaker acknowledges that God will speak to the people, and that his message will be one of peace. The reference to saints is a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life, and serves as a warning to the people not to turn back to their sinful ways.
"Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land."
The speaker acknowledges that salvation is near for those who fear God, and that this salvation will bring glory to the land. The reference to glory is a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life, and serves as a call to action for the people to turn away from their sins.
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
The speaker acknowledges that mercy and truth, righteousness and peace are all interconnected. The reference to mercy and truth being met together is a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity, while the reference to righteousness and peace kissing each other is a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life.
"Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven."
The speaker acknowledges that truth and righteousness are universal values that are present both on earth and in heaven. The reference to truth springing out of the earth is a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity, while the reference to righteousness looking down from heaven is a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life.
"Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase."
The speaker acknowledges that God will provide for the people, and that the land will be fruitful. The reference to the land yielding its increase is a reminder of the importance of stewardship, and serves as a call to action for the people to take care of the earth.
"Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps."
The speaker acknowledges that righteousness is the path that leads to God, and that it is important to follow in his footsteps. The reference to righteousness going before God is a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life, and serves as a call to action for the people to turn away from their sins.
In conclusion, Psalm 85 is a masterpiece of John Milton that explores the themes of sin, redemption, and righteousness. The poem is a reflection on the nature of sin and the importance of repentance, and serves as a call to action for the people to turn away from their wicked ways. The eloquent language and profound themes of the poem have made it a classic of English literature, and it continues to inspire readers to this day.
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