Psalm 85

Introduction.—Ps. 85 consists of a thanksgiving for the deliverance of Israel from the captor (vs. 1–3); a prayer for more complete restoration (vs. 4–7); and a foretaste of the answer to the psalmist’s prayer in the ultimate bestowal of spiritual and material blessings. There is insufficient evidence to tie the psalm to any particular date. Among the supreme personifications of the book of Psalms are the vivid images presented in Ps. 85:10–13. It is said that the psalm was a favorite of Oliver Cromwell’s.

On the superscription see pp. 617, 627.

1. Been favourable. God had been pleased to turn the calamities of the Jews into blessings. The statement implies that the psalmist felt there were times when God had not been gracious (see Ps. 77:7–9).

Forgiven. Captivity came as a result of sin; God’s remission of punishment was considered to be evidence that God had forgiven national sin.

Covered. See on Ps. 32:1.

Selah. See p. 629.

4. Turn. God has graciously turned toward His people. The psalmist’s prayer now is that God will bring His people to repentance. We cannot turn of our own selves; we need the grace of God (see Ps. 80:3, 7, 19).

God of our salvation. See Ps. 27:9; 51:14.

To cease. Verbally this statement seems to contradict the statement of v. 3, but it may be understood as referring to the effects of God’s anger. The captivity had been restored, but the land was still in a state of desolation.

5. To all generations. Literally, “from generation to generation.”

6. Thou. God alone can revive His people.

Revive. Ezra prayed for “a little reviving in our bondage” (Ezra 9:8).

May rejoice. A revival of religion brings rejoicing (see Neh. 12:27).

In thee. Not in earthly blessings alone, but in God, the giver of all.

8. I will hear. The psalmist has expressed his sorrow and has prayed; now he will wait calmly, quietly, for an answer of peace. What God says to us is more important than what we say to Him.

Peace. Heb. shalom. Few Hebrew words are sweeter in their connotations than the word “peace” (see Ps. 29:11; 72:3, 7; 122:6–8; Num. 6:26; Isa. 9:6, 7; Zech. 6:13).

Saints. Heb. chasidim (see Additional Note on Ps. 36). The chasidim show their love for God by their way of life, and God shows His love to them (see Ps. 4:3).

Folly. If, after deliverance, Israel should return to her folly, her latter end would be still worse (see Matt. 12:45; John 5:14). Instead of “let them not turn again to folly,” the LXX reads “to those who turn the heart unto him.”

9. Glory. Here, evidently, the return of earthly glory and prosperity, as of old.

10. Mercy and truth. The exquisite example of synonymous parallelism displayed in this verse joins in each clause the two cardinal attributes of God’s character (see Ps. 25:10; 72:3). In picturesque figures of personification the whole plan of salvation is epitomized (see 5T 633; PP 349; DA 762).

Have kissed. Justice and pardon, seemingly alienated from each other, embrace as loving friends (see DA 762).

11. Look down from heaven. To meet “truth” (cf. Ps. 85:10; Isa. 45:8).

12. Good. See Ps. 84:11.

13. Shall go before him. See Isa. 58:8. Righteousness is personified as preparing the way for restoration to divine favor (see Matt. 3:3).

Shall set us. Righteousness, as a herald, prepares the way for the coming of Jehovah, who brings salvation to His people.

Ellen G. White comments

10 AH 311; CSW 171; DA 762, 834; Ev 292; GW 156; PP 349; 5T 633; 6T 60; 7T 209