Bible Commentaries
Psalms 85

Verses 1-13

This Ps. looks back upon the mercy which God has shown to His people in bringing them back from captivity (Psalms 85:1-3), entreats Him to remove the displeasure that has again fallen on them, and to deliver them f6rom present troubles (Psalms 85:4-7), and ends with a hopeful picture of the blessings that will follow the answering of the prayer (Psalms 85:8-13). It evidently belongs to a time soon after the return from the Babylonian exile—either the days of discouragement before the building of the second Temple (Ezra 4:4-5, Ezra 4:24; Haggai 1 Zechariah 1:12-21), or the period of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:3). The Ps. is one of those for Christmas Day.

2. Selah] see on Psalms 3:4.

9. That glory may dwell] The reference is to the Shechinah, the symbol of God’s presence.

10, 11. Mercy.. truth, etc.] These characteristics, which are thus personified, are, first of all, attributes of God, but they are also to be reflected in the lives of His people. This is shown by the mention of earth as well as heaven in v.

11. 12. Material prosperity will accompany spiritual blessings.

13. Set us.. steps] RV ’make his footsteps a way to walk in.’