'Psalm 85' by John Milton


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The Poetical Works of John Milton1648Thy 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 returnFrom 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 goodOur 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

Analyzing Psalm 85 by John Milton

As a literary masterpiece, Psalm 85 by John Milton has captured the hearts of many scholars and enthusiasts of poetry. Milton, who was one of the most celebrated poets of the 17th century, employed his genius in writing this poem. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices employed in Psalm 85 to gain a better understanding of the poem.

The Themes in Psalm 85

Psalm 85 is a prayer for forgiveness and restoration. The poem begins with a plea to God to show mercy and grace to his people. Milton recognizes that the people have sinned and acknowledges that they deserve punishment. However, he appeals to God's mercy, asking him to forgive their sins and restore their relationship with him. The theme of forgiveness is central to the poem, and Milton emphasizes its importance throughout.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the theme of hope. Despite the people's sins, Milton expresses confidence that God will hear their prayer and restore their fortunes. He speaks of the "salvation of our God" and expresses the hope that God's "righteousness may go before us." This theme of hope is crucial to the poem, as it underscores the importance of faith in God's goodness and mercy.

Finally, the theme of gratitude pervades the poem. Milton expresses gratitude for God's past acts of mercy and grace, acknowledging that he has forgiven the people's sins in the past. He asks God to show the same mercy and grace again, recognizing that it is only through God's goodness that the people can be saved.

Structure and Literary Devices

Psalm 85 is a structured poem, consisting of four stanzas of six lines each. Each stanza follows the same rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The fifth and sixth lines of each stanza also rhyme, giving the poem a consistent and pleasing structure.

Throughout the poem, Milton employs a variety of literary devices to enhance its beauty and meaning. One of the most striking of these devices is his use of imagery. He employs vivid images of nature, such as the "peaceful dew" and the "fruitful earth," to convey a sense of abundance and fertility. These images serve to underscore the theme of hope, suggesting that God's mercy can bring new life and growth to a people who have fallen into sin.

Milton also employs repetition as a literary device in the poem. The repetition of the phrase "will you not revive us again" in the second and fourth stanzas serves to emphasize the importance of restoration and renewal. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "restore us" in the first and third stanzas underscores the central theme of forgiveness.

Finally, Milton employs a variety of rhetorical devices to add emphasis and power to his words. He uses parallelism to create a sense of balance and harmony in the poem, such as in the lines "Mercy and truth are met together / Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." He also uses anaphora, beginning several lines with the same phrase to create a sense of momentum and urgency, such as in the repeated phrase "Show us your mercy, O Lord."

Interpretation

On a deeper level, Psalm 85 can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition. The poem speaks of a people who have fallen into sin and seek forgiveness and restoration. This struggle is universal, as all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Milton's poem serves as a reminder that we can all turn to God for forgiveness and grace, no matter how far we have strayed.

Additionally, the theme of hope in Psalm 85 speaks to the power of faith in the face of adversity. The poem suggests that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, there is always hope for renewal and restoration. This message is especially resonant in our current world, where so many people are struggling with the challenges of the pandemic and other crises.

Finally, the theme of gratitude in the poem reminds us of the importance of appreciating the blessings we have received. Milton expresses gratitude for God's past acts of mercy, recognizing that without them, the people would have been lost. This message is particularly relevant in a world where it is so easy to focus on the negative and forget the many blessings that we have been given.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Psalm 85 is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound way. Through its themes of forgiveness, hope, and gratitude, Milton's poem reminds us of the importance of turning to God for guidance and support. Its structure and literary devices serve to enhance its beauty and meaning, making it a true masterpiece of poetry. For anyone seeking inspiration and comfort in troubled times, Psalm 85 is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Psalm 85: A Masterpiece of John Milton

John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Psalm 85 is a classic that has captured the hearts of many readers. This poem is a beautiful expression of faith, hope, and redemption, and it is a testament to Milton's poetic genius. In this article, we will delve into the depths of Poetry Psalm 85 and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry Psalm 85 is the restoration of God's people. The poem begins with a plea for God's mercy and forgiveness, as the speaker acknowledges the sins of the people. The speaker then expresses hope for God's salvation, asking for His peace and righteousness to be restored. The poem ends with a declaration of faith in God's goodness and a call to trust in His mercy.

Another important theme in Poetry Psalm 85 is the power of prayer. The speaker's plea for God's mercy and forgiveness is a powerful example of the transformative power of prayer. Through prayer, the speaker is able to express their deepest fears and hopes, and to seek God's guidance and protection. The poem reminds us that prayer is a vital part of our spiritual lives, and that it can bring us closer to God and to each other.

Structure

Poetry Psalm 85 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is divided into two parts, an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the problem or situation, while the sestet offers a resolution or conclusion.

The rhyme scheme of Poetry Psalm 85 is ABBAABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. This rhyme scheme creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, and it helps to emphasize the central themes and ideas.

Literary Devices

Milton employs a variety of literary devices in Poetry Psalm 85 to create a rich and powerful poem. One of the most notable devices is imagery, which is used to create vivid and evocative descriptions of the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, in the first line of the poem, the speaker describes God's mercy as "sweet," which creates a sense of comfort and relief. Later in the poem, the speaker uses the image of a "river" to describe God's righteousness, which suggests a sense of flow and continuity.

Another important literary device in Poetry Psalm 85 is repetition, which is used to emphasize key words and phrases. For example, the word "restore" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of the phrase "will you not revive us again" also creates a sense of longing and hope.

Milton also uses allusion in Poetry Psalm 85, which is a reference to a well-known literary or historical event. In this poem, the speaker alludes to the story of the Israelites in the Old Testament, who were often punished for their sins but were ultimately redeemed by God's mercy. This allusion helps to connect the speaker's personal experiences with a larger spiritual tradition, and it creates a sense of continuity and community.

Conclusion

Poetry Psalm 85 is a masterpiece of John Milton's poetic genius. Through its themes of restoration, prayer, and faith, the poem offers a powerful message of hope and redemption. Its structure and literary devices create a sense of symmetry and balance, while its imagery and allusion create a rich and evocative portrait of the speaker's experiences. This poem is a testament to Milton's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets in the English language, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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