Psalm 85:1-3

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 ^[a]You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.^[b]

3 You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Psalm 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

• 1. S Deuteronomy 30:3; Psalms 14:7; Jeremiah 30:18; Ezekiel 39:25
• 2. S Numbers 14:19
• 3. S Exodus 32:30; S Psalms 78:38
• 4. Psalms 106:23; Daniel 9:16
• 5. Exodus 32:12; Deuteronomy 13:17; Psalms 78:38; John 3:9

Footnotes

• [a] In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14.
• [b] The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.