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Psalm Ps. 85. This is a community lament. It occurs at a time when God has shown his displeasure over his people’s unfaithfulness, perhaps by withholding fruitfulness from the land (vv. 1, 12). The people singing this are seeking forgiveness for the whole people (“us”), asking God to show the steadfast love and faithfulness he proclaimed in Ex. 34:6. Because God is righteous (Ps. 85:10–11, 13)—that is, reliable about his promises—the psalm closes with confidence.
Ps. 85:1–3 The verbs in this section are all past tense, looking back to what God has done for the people. Forgave the iniquity recalls Ex. 34:7. Turned from your hot anger (see Ex. 32:12) implies that God forgave his people after they repented of serious unfaithfulness. God has done this in the past for his people, because he is exceedingly kind.
Ps. 85:4–7 The next section appeals to the compassion God has claimed and shown, asking him to restore us again, that is, put away your indignation toward us. For God to be angry with us forever would be contrary to this revealed character. Therefore the people pray, show us your steadfast love (proclaimed in Ex. 34:6), and grant us your salvation.
Ps. 85:8–9 Now the members of the congregation declare their patience in watching for God to act on their prayer. The song has shifted from the plural “we” to the singular “I”: let me hear. Each member is thus making this pledge. There is confidence that God will speak peace to his people, that is, he will agree to the reconciliation they have asked for in vv. 4–7. At the same time, the psalmist prays, let them not turn back to folly. The people who are appealing to God’s kindness should make sure that their repentance is genuine.
Ps. 85:9 glory may dwell in our land. The “glory” is God’s special presence with his people (see note on 63:1–2); see Ex. 24:16 for the same expression.
Ps. 85:10–13 The psalm closes with confidence that God will hear their prayer and give them what they ask. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet, that is, in God they are in harmony. God’s righteousness here is his reliability in keeping his promises (especially to his people), and therefore it guarantees the peace (see v. 8). They kiss each other like the affectionate greeting of relatives (e.g., Gen. 29:13; 45:15).
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