The psalmist leads the community that returned from exile in a lament and a prayer for complete restoration:
He remembers how God rescued Israel from exile (Psalm 85:1–3),
asks for clearer signs of God’s goodness, and
leads the people in prayer for full renewal (Psalm 85:4–7).
God answers with a message of peace (Psalm 85:8–9). The psalm ends with a poetic description of the greatness of God’s salvation (85:10–13).