The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THIS is a psalm written after a signal display of God's mercy towards Israel, but when there was still much wanting to make the condition of the people altogether satisfactory. It consists of a thanksgiving for the deliverance vouchsafed (Psalms 85:1-3); a prayer for further and more complete restoration to favour (Psalms 85:4-7); and a joyful anticipation of the granting of the prayer, and of the bestowal on Israel, ultimately, of all temporal and spiritual blessings (Psalms 85:8-13). There are no such distinct and definite allusions in the psalm as to tie it down to any particular date; but, on the whole, it would seem to suit best either the time of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:1-13; Ezra 4:1-24.) or that of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 9:1-15; Ezra 10:1-44; Ne 2-6.).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 85:1-7The sense of present afflictions should not do away the remembrance of former mercies. The favour of God is the fountain of happiness to nations, as well as to particular persons. When God forgives sin, he covers it; an…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1Recognition of national mercies. This psalm belongs to the "sons of Korah," and we can hardly be wrong in associating it with the early years of the restoration from the Babylonish captivity. "The psalm shows that union…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land; or, "thou art become gracious" (Kay, Cheyne)—a preceding time during which God was not gracious is implied (comp. Psalms 77:7-9). Thou hast brought back the captivity of Ja…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13Temporal mercies of little avail without such as are spiritual. There had been great outward mercies (see Psalms 85:1-3). Probably the wonderful deliverance of Judah, Jerusalem, and Hezekiah from the threatened might of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-3The thanksgiving. God is thanked for two things especially: (1) for having granted his people forgiveness of their sins (Psalms 85:2, Psalms 85:3); andJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sin. God's remission of punishment, and restoration of his people to favour, was a full indication that he had "forgiven their iniquity" and "co…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath. Forgiveness of sins implies the cessation of wrath, though it does not necessarily imply the cessation of punishment. Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. This…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:3-5Incomplete redemptions. While thankfully acknowledging all that God has done for his people, the psalmist clearly sees that it was but the "fierceness" of God's wrath from which he had turned, and that some of his wrath…Joseph S. Exell and contributors