Psalm 85, another psalm of the sons of Korah, is a lamenting plea for national restoration. Its specific setting is unknown. God has here forgiven His people and returned them from captivity (verses 1-3) but the effects of His wrath—as the lingering consequences of their sins—are still being felt (verses 4-7). This could describe the end of some foreign oppression during the period of the judges. Or it could conceivably apply to the time of King Hezekiah's reforms following the captivity and return of 200,000 Jews at the hands of the northern kingdom of Israel in alliance with Syria during the reign of Hezekiah's father Ahaz (see 2 Chronicles 28). Yet it could also fit with the later return from Babylonian captivity. "Many believe that vv. 1-3 refer to the return from exile and that the troubles experienced are those alluded to by Nehemiah and Malachi. Verse 12 suggests that a drought has ravaged the land and may reflect the drought with which the Lord chastened his people in the time of Haggai (see Haggai 1:5-11)" (Zondervan NIV Study Bible, note on Psalm 85).

After pleading for revival, mercy and salvation (verses 6-7), the psalmist states that he will hear what God has to say, trusting that God will "speak peace" to His people—that is, with peaceful intent or directing them in the way to peace—as long as they don't ignore His words and turn back to the foolishness of their sins (verse 8). God's salvation, prayed for in verse 7, is available to those who fear Him (verse 9)—that is, who with the appropriate mind frame of awe and respect will heed and follow whatever God says.

In verse 10, "the union of God's mercy and truth and His righteousness and peace describes the way things ought to be, or the state of peace spoken of in v. 8. The blending of the ideals of truth and righteousness in v. 11 suggest a vision of the kingdom of God (see Isaiah11)" (The Nelson Study Bible, note on verses 10-13). As noted above, verse 12 may indicate a period of drought and assurance, on one level, that the land will yield physical produce. Yet the picture here is primarily figurative, as verse 11 shows truth as the crop that is produced—thanks to the figurative sunlight and rain of God's righteousness from above.

Truth springing out of the earth may also be a messianic reference (compare Isaiah 53:2). Notice the final words of Psalm 85, wherein God's righteous footsteps become the path for us to follow (verse 13). Jesus the Messiah has set the example for us of how to live, that we "should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). And this pathway, as the highway to Zion in the previous psalm (Psalm 84:5-7), leads to the glorious Kingdom of God—so that all of us may be part of the harvest of truth.