851 Lord, you were good to your land: changing the fate of Jacob. 2 The wrongdoing of your people had forgiveness; all their sin had been covered. (Selah.) 3 You were no longer angry: you were turned from the heat of your wrath. 4 Come back to us, O God of our salvation, and be angry with us no longer. 5 Will you go on being angry with us for ever? will you keep your wrath against us through all the long generations? 6 Will you not give us life again, so that your people may be glad in you? 7 Let us see your mercy, O Lord, and give us your salvation.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 85:1-7
Commentary on Psalm 85:1-7
(Read Psalm 85:1-7)
The sense of present afflictions should not do away the remembrance of former mercies. The favour of God is the fountain of happiness to nations, as well as to particular persons. When God forgives sin, he covers it; and when he covers the sin of his people, he covers it all. See what the pardon of sin is. In compassion to us, when Christ our Intercessor has stood before thee, thou hast turned away thine anger. When we are reconciled to God, then, and not till then, we may expect the comfort of his being reconciled to us. He shows mercy to those to whom he grants salvation; for salvation is of mere mercy. The Lord's people may expect sharp and tedious afflictions when they commit sin; but when they return to him with humble prayer, he will make them again to rejoice in him.