Psalms85
King James Version · Public Domain
1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Study
Psalms 85Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 85. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Prayers for the continuance of former mercies. (1–7). Trust in God's goodness. (8–13).
vv1-7
The sense of present afflictions should not do away the remembrance of former mercies. The favour of God is the fountain of happiness to nations, as well as to particular persons. When God forgives sin, he covers it; and when he covers the sin of his people, he covers it all. See what the pardon of sin is. In compassion to us, when Christ our Intercessor has stood before thee, thou hast turned away thine anger. When we are reconciled to God, then, and not till then, we may expect the comfort of his being reconciled to us. He shows mercy to those to whom he grants salvation; for salvation is of mere mercy. The Lord's people may expect sharp and tedious afflictions when they commit sin; but when they return to him with humble prayer, he will make them again to rejoice in him.
vv8-13
Sooner or later, God will speak peace to his people. If he do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace; speaking to their hearts by his Spirit. Peace is spoken only to those who turn from sin. All sin is folly, especially backsliding; it is the greatest folly to return to sin. Surely God's salvation is nigh, whatever our difficulties and distresses are. Also, his honour is secured, that glory may dwell in our land. And the truth of the promises is shown by the Divine mercy in sending the Redeemer. The Divine justice is now satisfied by the great atonement. Christ, the way, truth, and life, sprang out of the earth when he took our nature upon him, and Divine justice looked upon him well pleased and satisfied. For his sake all good things, especially his Holy Spirit, are given to those who ask him. Through Christ, the pardoned sinner becomes fruitful in good works, and by looking to and trusting in the Saviour's righteousness, finds his feet set in the way of his steps. Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting God, and in following him
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
קֹרַח: Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites
רָצָה: to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
שְׁבוּת: exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
יַעֲקֹב: Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
Psalms 85Christ's incarnation as the brightness of God's glory visibly dwelling ('tabernacling') in our land.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal echo of covering sin and not imputing iniquity as the ground of forgiveness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The petition to 'turn us' (convert/restore) as the prerequisite for ending divine anger.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The classic prayer for revival: 'Wilt thou not revive us again' parallel to 'revive thy work'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The meeting of mercy and truth as the characteristic paths of the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Christ's righteousness setting us in the way of His steps, leaving us an example to follow.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The formulaic expression for bringing back the captivity of Jacob and rejoicing in salvation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prayer for quickening/reviving so that the people will not turn away from God.
Supported by JFB
Grace (mercy) and truth came through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the personified meeting of verse 10.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God's righteousness and peace reconciled through Christ's propitiatory sacrifice satisfying divine justice.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The effect of righteousness will be peace, mirroring the kiss of righteousness and peace.
Supported by JFB
Prayer to 'turn our captivity' as streams in the South, pleading for further restoration.
Supported by Matthew Poole
In the rebuilt temple, God promises 'in this place I will give peace' to His people.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The promise that the Lord will give grace, glory, and 'that which is good'.
Supported by JFB