On the phrase in the title, "To the chief Musician," see the notes on the title to Psalm 4:1-8. On the expression, "for the sons of Korah," see the notes at the title to Psalm 42:1-11. Neither of these expressions determines anything in regard to the authorship of the psalm, or the occasion on which it was composed, and conjecture on these points would be useless. There were in the Jewish history, as there have been in the Christian church, numerous occasions to which the sentiments of the psalm would be appropriate. It was evidently composed in view of the fact that God had, on some former occasion, interposed when his people were in trouble, but that now for similar causes he was again angry with them, and they were suffering similar calamities. The psalm contains a fervent prayer that God would again appear for them, and it implies a confident expectation that he would do this, so that the calamities which had come upon them would be removed - even as by a miraculous interposition. There is nothing to make it absolutely certain that it pertains to the Babylonian captivity, as DeWette supposes, but the language is so general that it might refer to any captivity.
The psalm consists essentially of three parts:
I. An allusion to God's gracious interposition in former times, as the ground of the present appeal to him, Psalm 85:1-3. In those times, when his people had been conquered, he had restored to them the possession of their own land; he had forgiven their iniquity; he had turned himself from the fierceness of his anger. These acts of mercy were now remembered; and this was the ground of confident hope in the present trouble.
II. A description of the state of the people at the time when the psalm was composed, as demanding help from God, Psalm 85:4-7. It is clear that the nation was suffering from some calamity; that the anger of God seemed to be upon them; that it appeared as if his wrath would never be turned away; and that unless he should interpose the nation must perish.
III. The expression of a confident hope that God would deliver his people, Psalm 85:8-13.
(a) The psalmist represents himself as willing to hear what God would say, with the hope that he would speak peace to his people; Psalm 85:8.
(b) He declares his belief that God is near to them who fear him Psalm 85:9, and that in the present case - in the manner in which he would meet the present emergency - there would be a mingling of mercy and truth - of righteousness and peace: that each of these, in proper proportions, and without collision, would meet and mingle in the divine dealings; that is, it would be seen, in his dealings with his people, that God was merciful and just - righteous and disposed to peace Psalm 85:10.
(c) He expresses his assurance that, dark as things now appeared, there would be a divine interposition as if truth (or, a just solution of these difficulties) should spring out of the very earth - as if it would come from some unknown quarter and in some unexpected manner, as mysterious, and as incomprehensible, and as far removed from human agency as if it came up suddenly from the ground - or as if the heavens opened themselves, and it looked down from the sky Psalm 85:11; and
(d) he, in conclusion, expresses his confident belief that the Lord would give that which was truly good; that the land would again yield its increase; that righteousness would attend his march through the land, going as it were before him, and causing all the people to walk in his steps, Psalm 85:12-13.
There does not appear to have been in this psalm any original reference to the Messiah, or to his work: that is, all that there is in the psalm can be explained on the supposition that it has no such reference. But it must be obvious to every one that the language is such as is suited most beautifully and appropriately to describe many things in the plan of redemption, and especially to express the fact that in that work the attributes of God, some of which seem not easy to be reconciled, have been most perfectly and beautifully manifested and blended.

Thanksgiving to God for restoration to the Divine favor, Psalm 85:1-3; prayer for farther mercies, Psalm 85:4-7; the psalmist waits for a gracious answer in full confidence of receiving it, Psalm 85:8. He receives the assurance of the greatest blessings, and exults in the prospect, Psalm 85:9-13.
The title of this Psalm we have seen before, Psalm 42:1-11 : As to the time, it seems to have been written during, or even after, the return from the Babylonish captivity. In the three first verses the psalmist acknowledges the goodness of God in bringing the people back to their own land; he next prays to God to restore them to their ancient prosperity. In the spirit of prophecy, he waits on God, and hears him promise to do it; and then exults in the prospect of so great a good. The whole Psalm seems also to have a reference to the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 85
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. This psalm is generally thought to have been composed after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; and yet when they were in some distress from their neighbours, either in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, or in the times of Antiochus; but then this deliverance from captivity must be considered as typical of redemption by Christ; for as the title of the Syriac version is,
"it is a prophecy concerning Christ;''
it speaks of his dwelling in the land, of his salvation being near, and of the glory of the divine perfections as displayed in it; and perhaps some parts of it may respect the conversion of the Jews in the latter day; and Aben Ezra and Kimchi say, it is concerning the captivity of Babylon, yet also of their present captivity.

(Psalm 85:1-7) Prayers for the continuance of former mercies.
(Psalm 85:8-13) Trust in God's goodness.

Petition of the Hitherto Favoured People for a Restoration of Favour
The second part of the Book of Isaiah is written for the Israel of the Exile. It was the incidents of the Exile that first unsealed this great and indivisible prophecy, which in its compass is without any parallel. And after it had been unsealed there sprang up out of it those numerous songs of the Psalm-collection which remind us of their common model, partly by their allegorizing figurative language, partly by their lofty prophetic thoughts of consolation. This first Korahitic Jahve-Psalm (in Psalm 85:13 coming into contact with Psalm 84:1-12, cf. Psalm 84:12)), which more particularly by its allegorizing figurative language points to Isaiah 40:1, belongs to the number of these so-called deutero-Isaianic Psalm. The reference of Psalm 85:1-13 to the period after the Exile and to the restoration of the state, says Dursch, is clearly expressed in the Psalm. On the other hand, Hengstenberg maintains that "the Psalm does not admit of any historical interpretation," and is sure only of this one fact, that Psalm 85:2-4 do not relate to the deliverance out of the Exile. Even this Psalm, however, is not a formulary belonging to no express period, but has a special historical basis; and Psalm 85:2-4 certainly sound as though they came from the lips of a people restored to their fatherland.