Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Lord, thou hast been favourable ] Literally, Thou hast been well pleased with thy land.
Thou hast brought back the captivity ] This seems to fix the time of the Psalm to be after the return of the Jews from Babylon.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 ou Intercessor has stood before thee, thou hast turned away thine anger When we are reconciled to God, then, and not till then, we may expec 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' people may expect sharp and tedious afflictions when they commit sin but when they return to him with humble prayer, he will make them agai to rejoice in him.
Original Hebrew למנצח5329 לבני1121 קרח7141 מזמור׃4210 רצית7521 יהוה3068 ארצך776 שׁבת7725 שׁבות7622 יעקב׃3290
