THAT GLORY MAY DWELL IN OUR LAND

Like yesterday’s psalm, this psalm is of (or for) the sons of Korah. The favourable times promised in the previous psalm have not continued because there had been wilful disobedience and no trust in the Lord of hosts, Psa. 84. 12.

The writer recalls that in the past God had acted favourably to His land and its rebellious people. He had forgiven their iniquity and covered all their sin, vv. 1, 2. Now some new sin had distanced the people from their God, who in His indignation had chastened them. However, He is still “the God of our salvation”, who was yet able to bring revival to His people, vv. 4, 6. The mercy of God in salvation was longed for, v. 7; God is certain to respond to such a request. When sin and failure are acknowledged, He is swift to return His withdrawn blessings. He is bound to speak, and then with a message of peace. However, along with the blessing comes a warning, “But let them not turn again to folly”, v. 8.

The end result of salvation is glory, “salvation … that glory may dwell in our land”. In this favoured state, every blessing is enjoyed; there is complete harmony between things hitherto estranged, v. 10, and then heaven and earth too will be reconciled, v. 11. “Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase”, v. 12. All this blessing will take place in the millennium.

There must be revival among the people of God before there can be glory in the land. If we are concerned about the state of spiritual things in our land, then we must first look at the state of things in our own hearts. God must deal with His people before He can use them.

When God moves, “righteousness shall go before him; and shall make his footsteps a way to walk in”, v. 13 R.V. The word footstep occurs three times in our N.T.: in Romans 4. 12 we are told of those “who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham”; these are the footsteps of saving faith left firmly implanted in the O.T. Paul’s footprints became the guide for Titus’ selfless service in 2 Corinthians 12. 18. And those supreme footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ are plainly seen in 1 Peter 2. 21, showing us the path of suffering for righteousness sake; in them may we plant our own.