Psalms 85:1-3

Prayer for God's Mercy upon the Nation.

1 O LORD, You showed 1favor to Your land; You 2restored the captivity of Jacob.
2 You 3forgave the iniquity of Your people; You 4covered all their sin. Selah.
3 You 5withdrew all Your fury; You 6turned away from Your burning anger.

Psalms 85:1-3 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Psalms 77:7; Psalms 106:4
  • 2. Ezra 1:11; Psalms 14:7; Psalms 126:1; Jeremiah 30:18; Ezekiel 39:25; Hosea 6:11; Joel 3:1
  • 3. Numbers 14:19; 1 Kings 8:34; Psalms 78:38; Psalms 103:3; Jeremiah 31:34
  • 4. Psalms 32:1
  • 5. Psalms 78:38; Psalms 106:23
  • 6. Exodus 32:12; Deuteronomy 13:17; Psalms 106:23; Jonah 3:9

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "restore the fortunes"
  • [b]. "Selah" may mean: "Pause, Crescendo" or "Musical interlude"
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