Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 85

Prayer for Restoration and MercyIn this psalm, the church is going through trouble and distress. They are taught to come to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers. God helps His people to pray by giving them the right words and desires in their hearts. Even when times are hard, God's people should remember and be thankful for His past kindness. This psalm teaches us how to pray when we are feeling weak and low.v. 1: The people start by thanking God for what He has done before. They say, You, Lord

v. 2: Next, they remember how God brought them back from captivity. They say, You have brought back the captivity of Jacob (Psalm 85:1 ). God rescued them from their enemies and let them return home. Even when the captivity lasted a long time, God finally brought them back.They also praise God for forgiving their sins. They say, You have forgiven the iniquity of your people; you have covered all their sin . God did not punish them as they deserved. When God forgives, He covers all our sins. His mercy in bringing them home included the pardon of their wrongdoing.

v. 3: The people recognize that God did not stay angry with them. They say, You have taken away all your wrath; you have turned from the fierceness of your anger . God's anger stopped when their sin was forgiven. He did not let His wrath destroy them, but had compassion on them when someone prayed and asked for mercy.

v. 4: Now, they ask God to turn their hearts back to Him. Turn us, O God of our salvation . They know that if God changes them, they can truly return to Him and be saved. Without turning to God, there can be no salvation.

v. 5: The people beg God to stop being angry with them. Will you be angry with us forever? . They hope God will not stay angry through all generations. God is merciful and does not remain angry forever, so they trust He will forgive them as He did their ancestors.

v. 6: They ask God to revive them. Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? . They want God to bring them comfort and deliverance, just as He did in the past. When God brought them out of captivity, it was like new life (Ezra 9:8; Ezekiel 37:11–12 ). Now they ask for revival again so they can rejoice in God and give Him glory.

v. 7: Finally, they pray for God's mercy to be shown clearly. Show us your mercy, O Lord

Divine Answer to Prayer; Blessings Given in Answer to PrayerThis section gives God's answer to the prayers made in the earlier verses (Psalm 85:1-7 ). The psalmist listens carefully for God's response, expecting comfort and peace. He teaches us to wait quietly for God's answer after we pray, and to be ready to obey what God says. The blessings described here are not only for the people returning from captivity, but also for everyone who fears God and does what is right. These verses also point forward to the blessings of the Messiah's kingdom.v. 8: The psalmist says, I will hear what God the Lord

v. 9: He is sure that God's salvation is close. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him . Even when trouble seems great, God's help is not far away. This was true for the people returning from captivity, and it is true for everyone who respects God. It also points to Jesus, who brings eternal salvation.

v. 10: The psalmist describes a time when good things come together. Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other . This means that God's kindness and faithfulness, His justice and peace, all work together. When people and leaders are honest, kind, and fair, the whole land is blessed. This also shows how, through Jesus, God can forgive sinners and still be just.

v. 11: He continues, Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven . When people are truthful and faithful, God sends His goodness from above. In the Messiah's kingdom, these qualities will grow everywhere.

v. 12: The psalmist says, Yes, the Lord

v. 13: Finally, he says, Righteousness will go before him, and shall make his footsteps our pathway (Psalm 85:13 ). God's righteousness leads the way, preparing us to receive His blessings. When we follow God's ways, He guides us and brings us closer to Him. Jesus, the "Sun of Righteousness," leads us to God and shows us how to live.