Psalms 85:9

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Psalms 85:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory.
The Message Bible (MSG)
9 See how close his salvation is to those who fear him? Our country is home base for Glory!
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 Indeed, his salvation is near those who fear him, and [his] glory will remain in our land.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 His salvation is very near those who fear Him, so that glory may dwell in our land.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 I know he's ready to save those who have respect for him. Then his glory can be seen in our land.

Psalms 85:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 85:9

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him
That have a true sense of sin and folly, are humbled for it, hate it, and depart from it, and do not return unto it; have a reverential affection for God, a sense of his goodness, particularly his pardoning grace and mercy, and fear him on account of it, and to offend him; and that serve him with reverence and godly fear: to these his salvation is nigh; temporal salvation, for that is his, it is of him, and from him; and he is a present help in time of trouble: spiritual and eternal salvation is his; it is of his contriving, settling, appointing, and giving; and was now near being accomplished by Christ; who also may be meant by God's salvation, being the Saviour of his providing, choosing, and sending, who, in a short time, would appear, and suddenly come to his temple, as Haggai and Malachi foretold, and as was fixed by Daniel's weeks, ( Haggai 2:6 Haggai 2:7 ) ( Malachi 3:1 ) ( Daniel 9:24 ) , and therefore the psalmist speaks of it with the utmost certainty; "surely": verily of a truth it is so; there can be no dispute about it; for this psalm, as is generally thought, was written after the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity; so that the coming of the Saviour was at hand, and the impetration of salvation not afar off; and the revelation of it in the Gospel was just ready to be made, or in a little time; see ( Isaiah 56:1 ) and this may be said to be nigh to sensible sinners, when it is brought unto them by the Gospel, and applied to their hearts by the Spirit of God, and they see their interest in it, the full possession of which in heaven is still nearer than when they believed; but then it is only so to them that fear the Lord; not to the wicked, from whom it is afar off, ( Psalms 119:155 ) , this character seems to design converted persons among the Gentiles, as well as among the Jews; see ( Acts 13:26 ) ( 10:35 )

that glory may dwell in our land;
Christ, who is the brightness of his Father's glory, having the same nature, names, worship, and honour; whose glory is the glory of the only begotten of the Father, and who also is the glory of his people Israel; who, when he was incarnate, dwelt among men, particularly in the land of Judea, where the writer of this psalm dwelt, and therefore calls it "our land"; and though his appearance was then but mean, in the form of a servant, yet he had a glory, which was manifest in his doctrine and miracles; and he was the Lord of glory, even when he was crucified; see ( Hebrews 1:3 ) ( John 1:14 ) ( Luke 2:32 ) ( Philippians 2:6 Philippians 2:7 ) ( 1 Corinthians 2:8 ) , or else the Gospel may be meant, which has a glory in it excelling that of the law; it containing glorious truths, and glorious promises; and which is the glory of a land where it is, and, when it departs, an "Ichabod" may be written on it: this came in consequence of Christ, the Saviour, and salvation by him, which it is a revelation of; and dwelt and abode in the land of Judea, till it was utterly despised and rejected: the whole of Gospel worship and ordinances may be intended also, together with a holy life and conversation becoming it.

Psalms 85:9 In-Context

7 Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 27:1; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 51:5; Isaiah 56:1; Isaiah 62:11
  • 2. S Exodus 29:43; Isaiah 60:19; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 2:5
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.