Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 9 ▾
Redemption 1 Exile and Return 1 Blessing and Curse 1 Forgiveness 8 Obedience and Disobedience 8 Peace 8, 10 Glory of God 9 Righteousness 10 Justice and Mercy 10
People 2 ▾
Jacob Patriarchal 1 Jacob Life of Christ 1
Historic voices 5 ▾
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2× 11-12 Homilies on the First Epistle to the Corinthians 1× 17 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-13 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 4, 8, 11 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 8
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 148 ▾
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What is Psalms 85 about?

Recalling that the LORD has been favorable to His land and brought back the captivity of Jacob, the sons of Korah pray that He would revive His people again and cause His salvation to draw near. They ask God to turn from His displeasure and let them hear what He will speak, for He will speak peace to His people who turn to Him. The psalm rises to a shining promise: mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other, truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. This meeting of God's mercy and His justice, longed for by a restored but struggling people, finds its full answer in the redemption accomplished in Christ.

Historical backdrop

These are the songbook of a nation, sung across a thousand years of Israel's worship, from Moses in the wilderness to the exiles returned from Babylon. They were carried from the tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the second temple rebuilt under Persia, set to the lyre and the harp and the clash of cymbals in the courts of the LORD.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 85
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 85
The Church Fathers on Psalms 85

Psalms 85

Psalms Chapter 85
85
1Jehovah, thou hast been favorable unto thy land; Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin. [Selah
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 indignation toward us to cease.
5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6Wilt thou not quicken us again, That thy people may rejoice in thee?
7Show us thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, And grant us thy salvation.
8I will hear what God Jehovah will speak; For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.
9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12Yea, Jehovah will give that which is good; And our land shall yield its increase.
13Righteousness shall go before him, And shall make his footsteps a way to walk in.
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What is Psalms 85 about?

Recalling that the LORD has been favorable to His land and brought back the captivity of Jacob, the sons of Korah pray that He would revive His people again and cause His salvation to draw near. They ask God to turn from His displeasure and let them hear what He will speak, for He will speak peace to His people who turn to Him. The psalm rises to a shining promise: mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other, truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. This meeting of God's mercy and His justice, longed for by a restored but struggling people, finds its full answer in the redemption accomplished in Christ.