1 <To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah.> Lord, you were good to your land: changing the fate of Jacob.
2 The wrongdoing of your people had forgiveness; all their sin had been covered. (Selah.)
3 You were no longer angry: you were turned from the heat of your wrath.
4 Come back to us, O God of our salvation, and be angry with us no longer.
5 Will you go on being angry with us for ever? will you keep your wrath against us through all the long generations?
6 Will you not give us life again, so that your people may be glad in you?
7 Let us see your mercy, O Lord, and give us your salvation.
8 I will give ear to the voice of the Lord; for he will say words of peace to his people and to his saints; but let them not go back to their foolish ways.
9 Truly, his salvation is near to his worshippers; so that glory may be in our land.
10 Mercy and faith have come together; righteousness and peace have given one another a kiss.
11 Faith comes up from the earth like a plant; righteousness is looking down from heaven.
12 The Lord will give what is good; and our land will give its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, making a way for his footsteps.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 85
Commentary on Psalms 85 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 85
Ps 85:1-13. On the ground of former mercies, the Psalmist prays for renewed blessings, and, confidently expecting them, rejoices.
1. captivity—not necessarily the Babylonian, but any great evil (Ps 14:7).
2, 3. (Compare Ps 32:1-5).
3. To turn from the "fierceness," implies that He was reconcilable, though
4-7. having still occasion for the anger which is deprecated.
5. draw out—or, "prolong" (Ps 36:10).
8. He is confident God will favor His penitent people (Ps 51:17; 80:18).
saints—as in Ps 4:3, the "godly."
9. They are here termed "them that fear him"; and grace produces glory (Ps 84:11).
10. God's promises of "mercy" will be verified by His "truth" (compare Ps 25:10; 40:10); and the "work of righteousness" in His holy government shall be "peace" (Isa 32:17). There is an implied contrast with a dispensation under which God's truth sustains His threatened wrath, and His righteousness inflicts misery on the wicked.
11. Earth and heaven shall abound with the blessings of this government;
12, 13. and, under this, the deserted land shall be productive, and men be "set," or guided in God's holy ways. Doubtless, in this description of God's returning favor, the writer had in view that more glorious period, when Christ shall establish His government on God's reconciled justice and abounding mercy.