Show Us Your Steadfast Love!

Psalm 85:5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
    that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.

Psalm 86:3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,

    for to you do I cry all the day.

4 Gladden the soul of your servant,

    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

These two psalms were written by two different people, with the first being a corporate call to God and the second being a personal plea.  In the first one, the psalmist refers back to God's answering in the past, asking Him to show the same kind of love and faithfulness, depending upon His goodness and righteousness.  In the second one, David refers to God's goodness and forgiveness in the past as a basis for believing God will do it again.  Both psalms express a dependence upon God to do what is best and a willingness to accept His way of answering.  That is a key element whenever we call out to Him.