Title.—See title, Psalms 4, 42

Verse 1

(1) Thou hast brought back.—See Psalms 14:7; Psalms 68:18. The expression might only imply generally a return to a state of former prosperity, as in Job 42:10, but the context directs us to refer especially to the return from exile. (See Introduction.)

Verse 2

(2) Forgiven.—Rather, taken away. (See Psalms 32:1.)

Verse 4

(4) Turn us.—Here equivalent to restore us once more. If, the poet felt, the captivity had taught its lesson, why, on the restoration, did not complete freedom from misfortune ensue? It is this which supplies the motive of his song.

Verse 8

(8) Speak peace . . .—This word “peace” comprehends all that the nation sighed for:

“Peace,

Dear nurse of arts, plenties, and joyful truth.”

To Christians the word has a higher meaning still, which directed the choice of this psalm for Christmas Day.

Folly.—See Psalms 14:1; Psalms 49:13. Here it most probably implies idolatry.

Verses 9-11

(9-11) The exquisite personification of these verses is, it has been truly remarked, exactly in Isaiah’s manner. (See Isaiah 32:16 seq., Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 59:14.) It is an allegory of completed national happiness, which, though presented in language peculiar to Hebrew thought, is none the less universal in its application. Nor does it stop at material blessings, but lends itself to the expression of the highest truths. The poet sees once more the glory which had so long deserted the land come back—as its symbol, the ark, once came back—and take up its abode there. He sees the covenant favour once more descend and meet the divine faithfulness of which, lately, perplexed minds were doubting, but which the return of prosperity has now proved sure. Righteousness and peace, or prosperity, these inseparable brothers, kiss each other, and fall lovingly into each other’s arms.

Verse 10

(10) Met together.—The word is used of those who should be friends, but whom circumstances have sundered (Proverbs 22:2).

Verse 11

(11) Truth, or “faithfulness,” is here depicted as springing out of the earth, because the renewal of fertility has re-established the conviction of the faithfulness of Jehovah towards His people, which had been shaken.

Look down.—Used of bending forwards as from a window or battlement (Song of Solomon 6:10, Note).

This “righteousness” (here in direct parallelism with faithfulness) had, as it were, been hidden like the sun behind a cloud, but now is seen showing its benign face once more in the skies.

Verse 13

(13) Righteousness shall . . .—Better, Righteousness shall walk in front of Him, and follow in His steps.

Nothing is more instructive than the blending in Psalms 85:12-13 of material and moral blessings. They do go together, as experience, especially national testifies. In the same spirit is Wordsworth’s well-known Ode to Duty:

“Stern Law-giver! Yet thou dost wear

The Godhead’s most benignant grace,

Nor know we anything so fair

As is the smile upon thy face.

Flowers laugh before thee on their beds,

And fragrance in thy footing treads:

Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong,

And the most ancient heavens through Thee are

fresh and strong.”