Psalms 85 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
PSALM 85
Psa 85:1-13. On the ground of former mercies, the Psalmist prays for renewed blessings, and, confidently expecting them, rejoices.
1. captivity--not necessarily the Babylonian, but any great evil (Psa 14:7).
2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
2-3. (Compare Psa 32:1-5).
3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
4-7. having still occasion for the anger which is deprecated.
5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
8I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
8. He is confident God will favor His penitent people (Psa 51:17; 80:18).
saints--as in Psa 4:3, the "godly."
9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
9. They are here termed "them that fear him"; and grace produces glory (Psa 84:11).
★10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
10. God's promises of "mercy" will be verified by His "truth" (compare Psa 25:10; 40:10); and the "work of righteousness" in His holy government shall be "peace" (Is 32:17). There is an implied contrast with a dispensation under which God's truth sustains His threatened wrath, and His righteousness inflicts misery on the wicked.
★11Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
11. Earth and heaven shall abound with the blessings of this government;
12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
12-13. and, under this, the deserted land shall be productive, and men be "set," or guided in God's holy ways. Doubtless, in this description of God's returning favor, the writer had in view that more glorious period, when Christ shall establish His government on God's reconciled justice and abounding mercy.
13Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
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