Psalms 85:2-12

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 lovingkindness, LORD. Grant us your salvation.

8 I will hear what God, the LORD, will speak, For he will speak shalom to his people, his holy ones; 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 shalom have kissed each other.

11 Truth springs out of the eretz. Righteousness has looked down from heaven.

12 Yes, the LORD will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.

Psalms 85:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. This psalm is generally thought to have been composed after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; and yet when they were in some distress from their neighbours, either in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, or in the times of Antiochus; but then this deliverance from captivity must be considered as typical of redemption by Christ; for as the title of the Syriac version is, "it is a prophecy concerning Christ;" it speaks of his dwelling in the land, of his salvation being near, and of the glory of the divine perfections as displayed in it; and perhaps some parts of it may respect the conversion of the Jews in the latter day; and Aben Ezra and Kimchi say, it is concerning the captivity of Babylon, yet also of their present captivity.