Psalms 85

The Psalmist representeth unto God the deliverance exhibited unto his people in former times, beseeching him to shew the like favour to his Church, still protesting that he will rely upon it.

1. A Psalm for the chief song-master, among the children of Korah. [See above Psa.84.]

2. Thou hast been favourable LORD unto thy land: [In former times, viz. Of old, when as thou didst recover the same from the enemies which had taken it. Or thou hast delighted, had pleasure in thy Land, to wit, the land of Canaan, which thou hast possessed thy people of, for to inhabit it] thou hast turned the captivity of Jacob: [i.e. of the posterity of Jacob, the Israelites; he will say, thou hast delivered the captive Jews out of their Babilonian captivity, whither they were carried away. Captivity for Captives is likewise used, Psalm 14.v.7. and Psa.63.v.19. and elsewhere.]

3. Thou hast taken away the transgression of thy people; thou hast covered all their sins, Sela.

4. Thou hast taken away [Or made to cease. Heb. Thou hast gathered] all thine indigation; [i.e. the plagues and punishments which thou useth to pour out upon me in thy wrath, see the annot. Job 21.on v.30.] Thou hast turned thy self from the heat of thine anger.

5. Bring us again [To our former state and condition. Oth. Turn us, or covert us] O God of our salvation: and annihilate (make void) thy wrathfulness over us.

6. Wilt thou be wroth against us forever? Wilt thou stretch out thine anger from generation to generation? [Heb. Upon generation and generation.]

7. Wilt not thou revive us again? [Heb. Wilt thou not turn again, revive us, to wit fully restoring us, where as now we like unto a dead people in this miserable captivity] that thy people may rejoice in thee. [viz. For thy goodness and kindness shewed unto them.]

8. Shew us thy kindness [Or let us see, &c. i.e. let us partake of and enjoy thy favour and goodness, as Psa.50.23.] O LORD, and give us thy salvation. [i.e. thy saving deliverance.]

9. I will hear what God the LORD will speak [i.e. I will attentively mark, what God doth testify unto us of his grace and favour to his church, as well by his word as by the manifold works of his power] for he shall speak of peace to his people, and to his favourites; But let them not turn again to folly. [i.e. to sin and transgression against Gods holy law, whereby they have haled Gods just wrath upon them, not hearkening unto, nor obeying the admonitions and instructions of the Prophets, as they ought to have done. See Psa.125.3.]

10. Assuredly his salvation is neer to them that fear him, that in our land (there may) dwell honour. [i.e. that our land may be brought again into that glorious and happy condition, which it enjoyed in former times.]

11. Kindness and truth [Or faithfulness, and so likewise v.12.] shall meet one another; or have met, etc.] the righteousness and peace shall kiss (each other.) [viz. As friends use to do when they meet, Exod.4.27. and 18.7. By these and the following sentences, which are 18.7. By these and the following sentences, which are partly delivered by way of similies or comparisons, the prophet describeth the blessed estate of the Kingdom of Christ, whose coming and glorious benefits are here glaunced at.]

12. The Truth shall sprout forth out of the Earth [i.e. it shall be enlarged and spread abroad, to the conversion of many to God, and their obedience to the gospel] and righteousness shall look down from heaven [i.e. it shall be given and imparted unto men by God.]

13. Also the LORD shall give (that which is) good; [Understand here the good and perfect gifts, which come from above, from the father of lights, Jam.1.17.] and our land shall yield its fruit.

14. Righteousness shall go on before his face; [The Psalmist giveth to understand by these words, that Christ shall bring with him to all places, where he cometh with the preaching of the holy Gospel the righteousness of faith, spoken of v.11.] and he shall set it [viz. That same righteousness; or he shall set (us)] upon the way of his footsteps.