Psalms 85:8

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak, etc.] This the psalmist says in the name of the people of the Jews, whom he represents, in all the foregoing expostulations and petitions, refusing to be still and quiet, and wait and listen for an answer to the above request from the Lord, who speaks by his providences, word, and Spirit; (see <350201>Habakkuk 2:1), for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; as he does in his word, which is the Gospel of peace; and by his ministers, who bring the good tidings of it, and publish it; and by the blood and righteousness of his Son, which both procure, call for, and produce it; and by his Spirit, the fruit of which is peace: it is an…”

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak - I, the psalmist; I, representing the people as looking to God. The state of mind here is that of patient listening; of a willingness to hear God, whatever God should say; of confidence in him that what he would say would be favorable to his people - would be words of mercy and of peace. Whatever God should command, the speaker was willing to yield to it; whatever God should say, he would believe; whatever God should enjoin, he would do; whatever God should ask him to surrender, he would resign. There was no other resource but God, and there was entire confidence in him that whatever he should say, require, or do, would be right. For he will speak…”

“Will hear - Diligently observe. Will speak - What answer God will give to my prayers. Peace - He will give an answer of peace. Saints - Not to all that are called God's people, but only to those who are truly such. Psalms 85:9”

“85:8-9 When God the Lord speaks, his faithful people listen. He promises them peace, meaning wholeness and well-being (see 37:11). They fear the Lord and know that he and his salvation are near to them. • The Lord does not tolerate foolish ways, such as those that resulted in the Exile.”

“hear: Hab 2:1; Heb 12:25 for he: Psa 29:11; Isa 57:19; Zac 9:10; Joh 14:27, Joh 20:19, Joh 20:26; Act 10:36; Co2 5:18-20; Eph 2:17; Th2 3:16 unto his: Psa 50:5; Eph 1:1, Eph 1:2 but: Psa 130:4; Joh 5:14, Joh 8:11; Act 3:26; Gal 4:9; Ti2 2:19; Heb 10:26-29; Pe2 2:20-22; Rev 2:4, Rev 2:5, Rev 3:19 folly: Gen 34:7; Sa1 25:25; Pro 25:11, Pro 27:22 Psalms 85:9”

“The prayer is followed by attention to the divine answer, and by the answer itself. The poet stirs himself up to give ear to the words of God, like Habakkuk, Hab 2:1. Beside אשׁמעה we find the reading אשׁמעה, vid., on Psa 39:13. The construction of האל ה is appositional, like המּלך דּוד, Ges. 113. כּי neither introduces the divine answer in express words, nor states the ground on which he hearkens, but rather supports the fact that God speaks from that which He has to speak. Peace is the substance of that which He speaks to His people, and that (the particularizing Waw) to His saints; but with the addition of an admonition. אל is dehortative. It is not to be assumed in connection with this…”