The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The prayer. Two things are prayed for—first, that God will turn the hearts of his people wholly towards himself (Psalms 85:4); and secondly, that he will complete his work of deliverance by removing the traces, that still exist, of his past anger (Psalms 85:5-7).

Israel is still in a state of great distress and weakness, suffering from the natural consequences of its sins, which keep it depressed and sad.

More for Psalms 85:4-7

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 85:1-7Psalms 85:1-7 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe 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; an…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13Psalms 85:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is a psalm written after a signal display of God's mercy towards Israel, but when there was still much wanting to make the condition of the people altogether satisfactory. It consists of a thanksgiving f…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13Psalms 85:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryTemporal 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:3-5Psalms 85:3-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryIncomplete redemptions. While thankfully acknowledging all that God has done for his people, the psalmist clearly sees that it was but the "fierceness" of God's wrath from which he had turned, and that some of his wrath…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:4Psalms 85:4 · The Pulpit CommentaryTurn us, O God of our salvation. Thou art turned to us (Psalms 85:1); let us also be turned to thee. We cannot turn of our own mere wish to turn; we need thy helping grace (comp. Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:19).…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 85:1-7The 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; an…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13EXPOSITION THIS is a psalm written after a signal display of God's mercy towards Israel, but when there was still much wanting to make the condition of the people altogether satisfactory. It consists of a thanksgiving f…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:1-13Temporal 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:3-5Incomplete redemptions. While thankfully acknowledging all that God has done for his people, the psalmist clearly sees that it was but the "fierceness" of God's wrath from which he had turned, and that some of his wrath…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:4Turn us, O God of our salvation. Thou art turned to us (Psalms 85:1); let us also be turned to thee. We cannot turn of our own mere wish to turn; we need thy helping grace (comp. Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:19).…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:5Wilt thou be angry with us forever? This is equivalent to "Wilt thou still go on punishing us?" Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? or, "from generation to generation?" This suits well the first period af…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:6Wilt thou not revive us again! literally, wilt thou not return and revive us? (comp. Psalms 71:20). So Ezra prays God to "give Israel a little reviving in their bondage" (Ezra 9:8). That thy people may rejoice in thee.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 85:6Quickening as God's work. In his very striking image of the dry bones in the valley, the Prophet Ezekiel, in a most emphatic way, declares that "quickening," "requickening," is the work of God, and of God alone. When ma…Joseph S. Exell and contributors