Psalms 85:9

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 85:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.
Psalms 85:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 85

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, etc.] That have a true sense of sin and folly, are humbled for it, hate it, and depart from it, and do not return unto it; have a reverential affection for God, a sense of his goodness, particularly his pardoning grace and mercy, and fear him on account of it, and to offend him; and that serve him with reverence and godly fear: to these his salvation is nigh; temporal salvation, for that is his, it is of him, and from him; and he is a present help in time of trouble: spiritual and eternal salvation is his; it is of his contriving, settling, appointing, and giving; and was now near being accomplished by Christ; who also may be meant by God’s…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Surely his salvation - His help; his aid. The word here does not mean salvation in the restricted use of the term as applied to the future life, but it means deliverance of all kinds - rescue from trouble, danger, calamity. Is nigh them that fear him - All who truly reverence him, and look to him in a proper manner. They may expect his aid; they may be sure that he will soon come to help them. This expresses the confident assurance of the author of the psalm that God would interpose in the troubles of the nation, and would deliver them. That glory may dwell in our land - (a) The glory or honor of having such a God to dwell among them; and (b) the peace, the prosperity, the happiness, which…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His salvation - That compleat salvation for which all the Israel of God wait; even the redemption by the Messiah; of which not only Christian, but even Jewish writers understand this place; and to which the following passages properly belong. And the psalmist might well say this salvation was nigh, because the seventy weeks determined by Daniel were begun. Glory - The glorious presence of God, and the God of glory himself, even Christ, who is the brightness of his father's glory. Psalms 85:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Surely: Psa 24:4, Psa 24:5, Psa 50:23, Psa 119:155; Isa 46:13; Mar 12:32-34; Joh 7:17; Act 10:2-4; Act 11:13, Act 11:14, Act 13:16 glory: Isa 4:5; Eze 26:20; Hag 2:7-9; Zac 2:5, Zac 2:8; Luk 2:32; Joh 1:14 Psalms 85:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification