1 > Yahweh, you have been favorable to your land. You have restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people. You have covered all their sin. Selah.
3 You have taken away all your wrath. You have turned from the fierceness of your anger.
4 Turn us, God of our salvation, And cause your indignation toward us to cease.
5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you draw out your anger to all generations?
6 Won't you revive us again, That your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your loving kindness, Yahweh. Grant us your salvation.
8 I will hear what God, Yahweh, will speak, For he will speak peace to his people, his saints; But let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven.
12 Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.
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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.