Psalms 85:1-7

1 <> LORD, Thou hast been favorable unto Thy land; Thou hast released the captives of Jacob.

2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah

3 Thou hast taken away all Thy wrath; Thou hast turned Thyself from the fierceness of Thine anger.

4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause Thine anger toward us to cease.

5 Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations?

6 Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

7 Show us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy salvation.

Psalms 85:1-7 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.