Psalms 85:1-13 - Homilies By S. Conway

Temporal mercies of little avail without such as are spiritual.

There had been great outward mercies (see Psalms 85:1-3 ). Probably the wonderful deliverance of Judah, Jerusalem, and Hezekiah from the threatened might of Assyria was the occasion of this burst of thanksgiving. But the psalmist—it may have been Isaiah himself—whilst grateful, indeed, for God's deliverance, as he well might be, was nevertheless sore distressed at the spiritual condition of his countrymen (see Isaiah's denunciations of the wickedness of his people, Isaiah 1:1-31 . and passim ) . There needed, therefore, to be an inward conversion as well as an outward deliverance such as they had experienced. And until this spiritual reformation was brought about, the anger of God rested on them still. Hence the prayer, "Revive us again," etc. In this psalm we have—

I. THANKFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MERCIES RECEIVED , (Verses 1-3.)

II. EARNEST PRAYERS FOR YET GREATER ONES , (Verses 4-7.)

III. CONFIDENT BELIEF THAT THE LORD WILL ANSWER , (Verse 8)

IV. JOYFUL ANTICIPATION OF THE BLESSINGS THE LORD WILL GIVE . (Verses 9-13)—S.C.