The Sons of Korah: Week 9

A Devotion and Longing for God
​Psalm 85

The story of the Sons of Korah is one of remarkable redemption. Their ancestor, Korah, rebelled against God’s appointed leadership and perished under dramatic judgment (Num. 16). But “the sons of Korah did not die” (Num. 26:11). They lived—and from their lineage came some of the most heartfelt expressions of longing, worship, and devotion in the Psalms.

Though Korah sought to approach God on his own terms, his descendants teach us, through inspired song, what it means to approach God with reverence, humility, and awe. Let’s journey through the 11 psalms attributed to the Sons of Korah—Psalms 42, 44–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. These psalms reflect a deep yearning for God’s presence and a resilient trust in His goodness, even in times of sorrow and silence.

From “As the deer pants for the water” (Psalm 42) to “How lovely is Your dwelling place” (Psalm 84), their words invite us to examine our own hearts. Do we long for God in this way? Do we worship Him as holy? Can we trust His redeeming work, even in our failures?

Join us each week, August 5–October 14, as we explore 11 psalms and the legacy of worship that grew from these once-rebellious roots. Their story reminds us that no one is too far gone for God to redeem and use for His glory—The Sons of Korah: A Devotion and Longing for God.

"Lord, You were favorable to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all Your wrath; You turned from Your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away Your indignation toward us! Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps a way." Psalm 85:1-13

Psalm 85 is the eighth psalm attributed to the sons of Korah, a family of temple singers who devoted their lives to worship and the service of God. Their words often echo the tension of a people living between the memory of God’s past mercies and the hope of His future restoration. In this psalm, we see both gratitude for what God has done and deep yearning for what He has yet to do. It is a beautiful picture of devotion and longing for God’s presence.

The psalm begins with a remembrance: “Lord, You were favorable to Your land; You restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin” (Ps. 85:1-2). The sons of Korah recall God’s mercy and past acts of deliverance. He had forgiven, restored, and withheld His wrath. True devotion begins with remembering who God is and what He has done. Gratitude fuels longing.

The psalm quickly moves from remembrance to petition: “Restore us again, O God of our salvation… Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You” (Psalm 85:4-6)? Here is the heartbeat of Psalm 85: a longing for renewal, revival, and joy in God. The cry for revival is not simply about better circumstances, but about restored relationships. True revival always begins in the heart—when God’s people once again find their joy in Him.

The psalmist shifts to anticipation: “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints” (Psalm 85:8). Devotion is not only crying out to God but also waiting to listen. God promises peace, but the psalmist adds an important reminder: “let them not turn back to folly” (Psalm 85:8). God’s blessings are for those who remain faithful, walking in reverence and obedience.

The psalm closes with one of the most poetic pictures in all of Scripture: “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10). Here is the fullness of God’s character—His love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace—all working together in perfect harmony. It points us forward to Christ, where God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross. In Jesus, the longing of Psalm 85 finds its ultimate answer.

Psalm 85 reminds us that true devotion is both remembering and longing: remembering God’s past faithfulness while longing for His present and future work. It’s a prayer for revival that begins in the heart and spills over into the land, bringing peace, righteousness, and blessing.

Like the sons of Korah, we live in the “in-between”—between God’s past mercies and the fullness of His future promises. And so, we pray: “Revive us again, O Lord, that Your people may rejoice in You” (Psalm 85:6).

How does remembering God’s past faithfulness stir up a deeper longing in you today for His revival and presence in your own life?

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