Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 85
Overview:
Prayers for the continuance of former mercies.
(1-7) Trust in
God's
Goodness.
(8-13)
1-7 The 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; and when he covers the
Sin of
his people, he covers it all. See what the
Pardon of
Sin is. In
compassion to us, when
Christ our Intercessor has stood before
thee, thou hast turned away thine
Anger. When we are reconciled
to
God, then, and not till then, we may expect the comfort of
his being reconciled to us. He shows
Mercy to those to whom he
grants
Salvation; for
Salvation is of mere
Mercy. The
Lord's
people may expect sharp and tedious
Afflictions when they commit
Sin; but when they return to him with humble
Prayer, he will
make them again to rejoice in him.
8-13 Sooner or later,
God will speak peace to his people. If he
do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace;
speaking to their hearts
By his
Spirit. Peace is spoken only to
those who turn from
Sin. All
Sin is folly, especially
backsliding; it is the greatest folly to return to
Sin. Surely
God's
Salvation is nigh, whatever our difficulties and
distresses are. Also, his honour is secured, that
Glory may
Dwell in our land. And the
Truth of the promises is shown
By the
Divine
Mercy in sending the
Redeemer. The Divine
Justice is now
satisfied
By the great
Atonement.
Christ, the way,
Truth, and
Life, sprang out of the
Earth when he took our nature upon him,
and Divine
Justice looked upon him
Well pleased and satisfied.
For his sake all good things, especially his Holy
Spirit, are
given to those who ask him. Through
Christ, the pardoned sinner
becomes fruitful in good
Works, and
By looking to and trusting
in the
Saviour's
Righteousness, finds his feet set in the way of
his steps.
Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting
God,
and in following him