Psalm 85 9

Psalm 85:9 kjv

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:9 nkjv

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:9 niv

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:9 esv

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Psalm 85:9 nlt

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
so our land will be filled with his glory.

Psalm 85 verses

Psalm 85 9 Meaning

Psalm 85:9 expresses a confident declaration that the deliverance and salvation of the Almighty are not far off, but readily available and soon to be manifested for those who sincerely revere and obey Him. The ultimate purpose and result of this divine proximity and salvation is for God's own splendor and manifest presence to reside permanently in the land of His people, thereby restoring their prosperity, honor, and covenant relationship with Him. It's a hopeful statement of imminent divine intervention and restorative presence.

Psalm 85 9 Context

Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for national restoration, likely composed after the Babylonian exile when some Jewish exiles had returned to the land of Judah (e.g., in the time of Ezra or Nehemiah). The earlier verses (vv. 1-3) acknowledge God's past favor, remembering when He restored their fortunes and forgave their sins. However, the present situation is marked by a continued sense of divine displeasure (vv. 4-7), evidenced by ongoing struggles or unfulfilled hopes for complete restoration. The Psalmist pleads for God to revive them. Verse 9 directly follows the Psalmist's confident declaration in verse 8, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly." This verse is thus a faith-filled affirmation based on an expectation of God's word of peace, proclaiming the certainty of His restorative salvation for those who remain faithful. Historically, the returned exiles still faced significant challenges in rebuilding Jerusalem and establishing their national life, and this Psalm expresses their yearning for God's full manifest presence and blessing in their land.

Psalm 85 9 Word analysis

• Surely (אך, 'ak): This Hebrew particle conveys emphasis, certainty, and affirmation. It implies "indeed," "truly," or "without a doubt." In this context, it elevates the statement from a mere hope to a confident conviction, marking a transition in the Psalm from petition to assurance.
• his salvation (יִשְׁעוֹ, yish'o): The root (יֶשַׁע, yesha') signifies deliverance, victory, help, or spiritual salvation. It encompasses both rescue from distress and the deeper, redemptive work of God. The possessive suffix "-o" indicates it is God's salvation, stemming from His nature and power, not human effort. It implies a comprehensive well-being and rescue.
• is near (קָרוֹב, qarov): Means physically close, temporally imminent, or relationally intimate. Here, it denotes that God's deliverance is not distant or abstract, but readily accessible and approaching fulfillment. It signifies an active, accessible, and forthcoming intervention.
• to those who fear him (לִירֵאָיו, liyr'av): The verb (יָרֵא, yare') means "to fear," but in this biblical context, it refers to reverent awe, obedience, respect, and devotion towards God, not servile terror. These are individuals who acknowledge God's authority, honor His commands, and live in humble submission to Him. They are the covenant people who consistently demonstrate faithful adherence.
• that glory (כָּבוֹד, kavod): Refers to the divine majesty, honor, splendor, and manifest presence of God. It often symbolizes His divine attributes, His revealed character, and His active dwelling among His people. It points to God's weight, substance, and power being clearly displayed. This "glory" can be God's own radiant presence (Shekinah) or the resulting honor bestowed upon His people because of His presence.
• may dwell (לִשְׁכּוֹן, lishkon): From (שָׁכַן, shakan), meaning to settle, abide, inhabit, or reside. It is the root word for "Mishkan" (Tabernacle) and relates to God making His permanent dwelling among His people. It implies a stable, secure, and established presence, signifying God's faithful commitment and intimate relationship.
• in our land (בְּאַרְצֵנוּ, be'artzenu): Refers specifically to the land of Israel, the covenant inheritance. For the returned exiles, the land was central to their identity and divine promises. The return of "glory" to the land signifies not only spiritual restoration but also physical well-being, national prosperity, security, and the complete fulfillment of God's promises related to their territorial inheritance.

Words-group analysis:

• "Surely his salvation is near": This phrase carries a profound assurance. It's a statement of faith, declaring God's active involvement and readiness to intervene. It reassures the disheartened community that their plight is not unnoticed, and divine help is approaching, underscoring God's unfailing commitment to His covenant.
• "to those who fear him": This clause highlights the condition or prerequisite for experiencing this imminent salvation and dwelling glory. It emphasizes the importance of a right relationship with God, characterized by reverent obedience and devotion. It underscores the covenantal reciprocality: God acts on behalf of those who align their lives with His will.
• "that glory may dwell in our land": This states the ultimate purpose and result of God's salvation. It's not just a transient act of rescue but a fundamental transformation where God's glorious presence permanently indwells the community and their territory. This is a desire for God's manifested power, blessing, and honor to fill the entire sphere of their national existence, signifying full restoration and flourishing. It alludes to the ancient Tabernacle and Temple, where God's glory previously dwelt, now yearned to fill the land once again.

Psalm 85 9 Bonus section

• The structure of Psalm 85 often mirrors other Psalms of communal lament, moving from praise (for past actions) to petition (for present need) and then to prophecy or confident hope (for future intervention). Verse 9 clearly belongs to the "hopeful assurance" section, demonstrating the Psalmist's faith despite ongoing challenges.
• The "land" (aretz) in this verse is not merely geographical space but carries significant theological weight in the Old Testament as the arena of God's covenant promises, where blessing and curse operate. For the exiles, the absence of God's full "glory" in the land implied an incompleteness in the restoration.
• The proximity of "salvation" and the dwelling of "glory" directly addresses a perceived "farness" of God's favor during periods of distress. This verse reassures the people that divine restoration is not beyond reach or delayed indefinitely but is active and forthcoming for those in a right standing with Him.

Psalm 85 9 Commentary

Psalm 85:9 stands as a pivotal affirmation of faith and a theological bridge within the Psalm. Having remembered God's past mercies and poured out present petitions, the Psalmist moves to a confident declaration, born out of a listening heart (v. 8). The emphasis on "surely" underscores the certainty of God's forthcoming intervention, not as a mere possibility but as a definite future event. This divine "salvation" (yeshua) is comprehensive, encompassing both deliverance from national distress (physical well-being, security, peace after exile) and spiritual restoration (forgiveness, renewed favor). Its "nearness" speaks to God's immediate attentiveness and prompt action, reminding the faithful that God is never distant from His suffering people.

However, this salvation is specifically "to those who fear Him." This covenantal condition is crucial. "Fear of the Lord" is the bedrock of a right relationship with God, denoting worshipful reverence, humble obedience, and sincere devotion. It's not a transactional exchange, but a reflection of a life lived in alignment with God's will, recognizing His sovereignty and holiness. For those who walk in this reverent fear, God's salvation is accessible and promised.

The purpose clause, "that glory may dwell in our land," reveals the ultimate yearning. "Glory" (kavod) represents God's manifest presence, His divine radiance, power, and honor. The desire for this glory to "dwell" (shakan, echoing the Tabernacle/Temple's Mishkan/Shekinah) signifies a yearning for God's established and abiding presence, filling the entire land. This would reverse the exile's spiritual desolation, bringing not just peace but a profound manifestation of God's blessings—fertility, security, righteousness, and enduring favor. It implies a restored relationship where God fully inhabits and blesses His people in their homeland, leading to national flourishing and the true realization of His covenant promises. This verse looks forward to a time of comprehensive divine habitation, prefiguring the New Testament reality where Christ, the very "glory of God," dwelt among us (John 1:14), and ultimately, God dwelling eternally with humanity in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:3).