The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 3 · Psalm 85
PSALM LXXXV.
To the chief Muſician. A Pſalm for the Sons of Korah.
ARGUMENT.
It is thought by many that this Pſalm was compoſed by ſome of the Sons of Korah, after David's baniſhment from Jeruſalem by his Son Abſalom (called a Captivity as we rea… Pſal. XIV. ult.) and his happy reſtauration to his Kingdom; though not to ſuch a ſettlement as they deſired. But it may be as well, or better, applied to the miraculous providence, which drove Senacherib out of the Land (who had taken many Captives V. Iſa. 13.) and reſtored them to the happy liberty; whoſe loſs they bewailed in the Pſalm foregoing.
Which way ſoever we underſtand it, the compoſure is ſuch; that it might be much better uſed by them after their return from the Captivity of Babylon, then at any other time: when they were infeſted with many enemies, who diſturbed their peaceable injoyment, of their Country and Religion. And therefore it is poſſible it might be reviewed, if not made, in thoſe days; and delivered to the chief Maſter of Muſick in the Temple: to be ſung preſently after the Foundation of it was laid; (III. Ezr. 10, 11, &c.) but the Work hindred from proceeding by the oppoſition of their enemies. And ſo I ſhall interpret it.
1. LORD, thou haſt been favourable unto thy land: thou haſt brought back the captivity of Jacob.
1. THou haſt been exceeding kind unto us, O Lord; and we moſt thankfully acknowledge the favour Thou haſt done us: in delivering us, the poſterity of Jacob, out of our ſad Captivity; and reſtoring us to the Land, in which Thou thy ſelf haſt choſen to dwell, I. Ezra.
2. Thou haſt forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou haſt covered all their ſin. Selah.
2. Our ſins kept us from it, in baniſhment, a long time; but now Thou haſt graciouſly pardoned, both our Idolatry, and all the other crimes, for which we juſtly ſuffered.
3. Thou haſt taken away all thy wrath: thou haſt turned thy ſelf from the fierceneſs of thine anger.
3. Thou haſt put an end to the ſore puniſhments, which in thy heavy diſpleaſure Thou inflictedſt on us: and turned thy ſeverity, which, like ſire, had almoſt conſumed us; into great clemency and mercy toward us.
4. Turn us, O God of our ſalvation, and cauſe thine anger towards us to ceaſe.
4. Compleat, good Lord, our deliverance, which Thou haſt thus graciouſly begun: and let not our ingratitude provoke Thee, to continue this new vexation and trouble that is befaln us, IV. Ezra 4, 5, 21, 23.
5. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
5. Which forces us to ſigh, and ſay, in the anguiſh of our Souls, will there never be an end of our miſeries? Is it not enough that the foregoing generation hath felt the ſad effects of thine anger; but it muſt extend it ſelf to us alſo, and our poſterity?
6. Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
6. Will it not be more for thy honour, not onelyonly to preſerve this feeble life which Thou haſt beſtowed on us but, to give us a perfect recovery? that thy people may have nothing to damp their joy, and intire ſatisfaction, in thy goodneſs to them?
7. Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy ſalvation.
7. Make us ſo happy, good Lord; and, though we deſerve indeed to be more miſerable then we are yet, let thy mercy prevail with Thee, to grant us a compleat deliverance.
8. I will hear what God the LORD will ſpeak: for he will ſpeak peace unto his people, and to his ſaints: but let them not turn again to folly.
8. I will wait patiently upon the Lord, the Judge of the world, for a gracious Anſwer to theſe Prayers: hoping that He will not condemn us to further puniſhment; but ſettle his people, who devoutly worſhip Him, in a proſperous tranquillity; provided they return not again to their old Idolatry.
9. Surely his ſalvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
9. He will be ſo far from deſerting thoſe, who fear to offend Him; that I am confident the time approaches, when He will finiſh what He hath begun to doe for us: in rebuilding our Temple, (V. Ezra 2, 8. VI. 7, 8, &c.) and reſtoring our Country to its ancient dignity and ſplendour.
10. Mercy and truth are met together: righteouſneſs and peace have kiſſed each other.
10. For, methinks, I ſee goodneſs and fidelity, juſtice and concord (which are the principal glory of a Kingdom) meeting together, like ancient Friends, which have been long abſent, and embracing each other.
11. Truth ſhall ſpring out of the earth: and righteouſneſs ſhall look down from heaven.
11. And as Truth and Honeſty, with all other Vertues, ſhall grow and flouriſh among us (like Flowers and Herbs in the Spring, after a tedious Winter) ſo God ſhall faithfully fulfill his promiſes to us, and exerciſe a moſt gracious providence over us.
12. Yea, the LORD ſhall give that which is good: and our land ſhall yield her increaſe.
12. Yea, the Lord will doe us good beyond our expectation: and reward our fruitfulneſs in good works, with ſuch a large and plentifull increaſe of the fruits of the earth; as ſhall demonſtrate the bounty of heaven to us.
13. Righteouſneſs ſhall go before him: and ſhall ſet us in the way of his ſteps.
13. He will govern us with great juſtice and mercy; having his faithfull promiſes always before his eyes; from that rule He will never ſwerve; but ſtedfaſtly proceed by it, as the conſtant method He will hold, in his Divine Adminiſtrations.