Psalms 85:6-13

6 Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy loving-kindness, O Jehovah, and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God, Jehovah, will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his godly ones: 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 Loving-kindness 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 the heavens.

12 Jehovah also will give what is good, and our land shall yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set his footsteps on the way.

Psalms 85:6-13 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'saints' (chasid): see Note c and 2 Chron. 6.41,42.
• [b]. Or 'shall set [itself] in the way of his steps.'