851 Thou hast accepted, O Jehovah, Thy land, Thou hast turned 'to' the captivity of Jacob. 2 Thou hast borne away the iniquity of Thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. 3 Thou hast gathered up all Thy wrath, Thou hast turned back from the fierceness of Thine anger. 4 Turn back 'to' us, O God of our salvation, And make void Thine anger with us. 5 To the age art Thou angry against us? Dost Thou draw out Thine anger To generation and generation? 6 Dost Thou not turn back? Thou revivest us, And Thy people do rejoice in Thee. 7 Show us, O Jehovah, thy kindness, And Thy salvation Thou dost give to us.
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.