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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 85:8-13

We have here an answer to the prayers and expostulations in the Ps. 85:1-7. I. In general, it is an answer of peace. This the psalmist is soon aware of (Ps. 85:8), for he stands upon his watch-tower to hear what God will say unto him, as the prophet, Hab. 2:1, 2. I will hear what God the Lord will speak. This intimates, 1. The stilling of his passions?his grief, his fear?and the tumult of his spirit which they occasioned: ?Compose thyself, O my soul! in a humble silence to attend upon God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 85:9

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him ,.... That have a true sense of sin and folly, are humbled for it, hate it, and depart from it, and do not return unto it; have a reverential affection for God, a sense of his goodness, particularly his pardoning grace and mercy, and fear him on account of it, and to offend him; and that serve him with reverence and godly fear: to these his salvation is nigh; temporal salvation, for that is his, it is of him, and from him; and he is a present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together ,.... Or "grace and truth" F16 חסד ואמת "gratia et veritas", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. , which are in Christ, and come by him; and so may be said to meet in him, the glorious Person, the Author of salvation, before mentioned, John 1:14 , these may be considered as perfections in God, displayed in salvation by Christ: "mercy" is the original of it; it is owing to that that the dayspring from on high visited us, or glory dwelt in our land, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 85:11

Truth shall spring out of the earth ,.... Either the Gospel, the word of truth, which sprung up at once in the land of Judea, as if it came out of the earth; and from Zion and Jerusalem it came forth into the Gentile world: or else the truth of grace God desires in the inward parts, and which springs up in such who are like cultivated earth, or good ground, being made so by the Spirit and grace of God, particularly the grace of "faith"; by which some render the word F17 אמת fides.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:9

Surely his salvation is nigh - To him who fears God, and trembles at his word, his salvation is nigh at hand. That glory may dwell in our land - That thy worship may be restored, the temple rebuilt, and the Divine shechinah, or symbol of the presence of God, resume its place. The pure and undefiled religion of God preached, professed, and experienced in a nation, is the glory of that land. The Prophet Haggai had said that the glory of the latter house - the temple built after their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together - It would be more simple to translate the original: - נפגשונ ואמת חסד נשקו ושלום צדק Chesed veemeth niphgashu ; Tsedek veshalom nashaku , - " Mercy and truth have met on the way Righteousness and peace have embraced." This is a remarkable text, and much has been said on it: but there is a beauty in it which, I think, has not been noticed. Mercy and peace are on one side; truth and righteousness on the other. Truth requires... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:11

Truth shall spring out of the earth - In consequence of this wonderful reconciliation, the truth of God shall prevail among men. The seeds of it shall be so plentifully sown by the preaching of Christ and his apostles that true religion shall be diffused over the world. And righteousness shall look down from heaven - And be delighted with the reformation of the sons of Adam; and shall be so satisfled with the glorious work which is carried forward, that, read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:9

Verse 9 9Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him. Here the Psalmist confirms the statement made in the preceding verse. He encourages both himself and other servants of God in the hope, that although to outward appearance God was far off from his people, yet deliverance was near at hand; because it is certain, that God secretly regards those whom he seems openly to neglect. If it is considered preferable to take the particle אך, ach, adversatively, Yet his salvation, etc., — a sense... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:10

Verse 10 10.Mercy and truth shall meet together. Here the verbs are in the past tense; but it is evident from the scope of the passage, that they should be translated into the future. I cordially embrace the opinion which is held by many, that we have here a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ. There is no doubt, that the faithful lifted up their eyes to Him, when their faith had need of encouragement and support in reference to the restoration of the Church; and especially after their... read more

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