Psalms 85:1-8

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. LORD, thou wast favorable to thy land; thou didst restore the fortunes of Jacob.

2 Thou didst forgive the iniquity of thy people; thou didst pardon all their sin. [Selah]

3 Thou didst withdraw all thy wrath; thou didst turn from thy hot anger.

4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away thy indignation toward us!

5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou prolong thy anger to all generations?

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

7 Show us thy steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Psalms 85:1-8 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.