1.
LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
Title. A Psalm. Hebrew mizmor. App-65 .
for the sons of Korah. The eighth of eleven so ascribed. See note on Psalms 42 , Title, and App-4 .
LORD. Hebrew Jehovah. App-4 . Thy land. Compare connection with "People" (Psalms 85:2 ), as in Deuteronomy 32:43 . Note "our" in Psalms 85:12 .
brought back the captivity = restored the fortunes, as in Psalms 126:1 .Job 42:10 . No reference to the Babylonian captivity, but to the restoration of David's fortunes after Absalom's revolt.
Jacob. Refers to the natural seed, and to the earthly and material standpoint. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .
2.
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
iniquity = perverseness. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .
covered = concealed. Hebrew. kasah; not kaphar, to atone.
sin. Hebrew. chata' . App-44 .
Selah. Connecting forgiveness with (as being the basis of) millennial blessing. See App-66 .
3.
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4.
Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
Turn us. Compare "Thou hast turned" (verses: Psalms 85:2 , Psalms 85:3 ).
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
5.
Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6.
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7.
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
8.
I 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.
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
peace. Referring to the war with Absalom.
saints = graced ones.
not turn again: i.e. rebel, as in Absalom's case.
9.
Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
glory may dwell: i.e. the glory of Jehovah's presence in the Shekinah, in the Tabernacle.
10.
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
met. kissed. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
11.
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
earth = land. Same word as verses: Psalms 85:1 , Psalms 85:9 , Psalms 85:12 .
12.
Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
our land, &c. Note "Thy land" in Psalms 85:1 . Compare Psalms 67:6 .
13.
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.