Psalms 85:2-4

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.[a]
3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.

Psalms 85:2-4 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. S Numbers 14:19
  • 2. S Exodus 32:30; S Psalms 78:38
  • 3. Psalms 106:23; Daniel 9:16
  • 4. Exodus 32:12; Deuteronomy 13:17; Psalms 78:38; John 3:9
  • 5. S Psalms 71:20; Psalms 80:3,7
  • 6. S Psalms 65:5

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
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