Exposition of Psalm 85:9-13 and God's Guidance in Believers
Psalm 85:9-13 describes God's salvation and the resulting flourishing of righteousness and peace on earth. The passage reads:
"Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way" (Psalm 85:9-13, ESV).
This section concludes Psalm 85, which is a post-exilic lament and prayer for full redemption, acknowledging God's past rescue of Israel while longing for greater evidence of His goodness [10]. The psalmist leads the community in prayer for restoration, and God responds with a message of peace [10].
Verse 9 emphasizes that God's salvation is "near those who fear him," implying that reverence for God is a prerequisite for experiencing His saving presence and the dwelling of His glory in the land [4, 5]. The "fear of the Lord" here signifies a faithful people who listen when God speaks and know that His salvation is close [5].
Verses 10-11 employ vivid personification to describe the harmonious interaction of divine attributes: "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven." This imagery portrays a reconciliation and perfect alignment of these virtues. The meeting of steadfast love (or mercy) and faithfulness (or truth) suggests that God's covenant promises are being fulfilled [2]. The "kiss" between righteousness and peace signifies their intimate connection and mutual embrace, indicating that true peace is founded upon righteousness [8]. Augustine, in his exposition on the Psalms, often speaks of God's hidden presence and the obscurity of sacraments as His "hiding place" in the hearts of believers, which can be seen as a reflection of these divine attributes at work [9].
The idea that "faithfulness springs up from the earth" implies a human response of trust and obedience, while "righteousness looks down from heaven" indicates God's divine approval and active involvement [8]. This interaction between divine initiative and human response leads to blessing.
Verse 12 promises material and spiritual prosperity: "The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase." This echoes the blessings promised in Deuteronomy for obedience and faithfulness, where the land would produce abundantly [10]. It suggests that when God's attributes are manifest and His people respond in faithfulness, both spiritual and physical well-being follow.
Finally, verse 13 states, "Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way" [3]. This verse portrays righteousness as a herald or messenger, preparing the path for God's coming [7]. It suggests that God's righteous character precedes His actions, guiding His steps and ensuring that His interventions are just and lead to salvation [7]. This concept of righteousness as a guide is also seen in other biblical texts, where light and truth are viewed as guides [8]. For instance, Psalm 23:3 speaks of God leading in "paths of righteousness" [1]. The Westminster Confession of Faith, a Reformed theological document, affirms God's active governance, stating that He is "everywhere present, and everywhere active, governing all creatures and all their actions in a way suited to their nature" [6]. This divine guidance, particularly through righteousness, ensures that God's will is accomplished.
The passage as a whole functions as a lyrical outburst celebrating the grandeur of God's salvation and the restoration it brings [10]. It connects God's past acts of deliverance with a future hope of complete redemption, where divine attributes are harmoniously displayed, leading to peace, prosperity, and guidance for His people [10].
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.23.3 → Ps.85.13 (confidence: 19 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.85.10 → Ps.89.14 (confidence: 11 votes)”
- Psalms “Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps. -- Psalms 85:13”
- Psalms “Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. -- Psalms 85:9”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 85:8: 85:8-9 When God the Lord speaks, his faithful people listen. He promises them peace, meaning wholeness and well-being (see 37:11). They fear the Lord and know that he and his salvation are near to them. • The Lord does not tolerate foolish ways, such as those that resulted in the Exile.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 140: department of the universe of God. He is everywhere present, and everywhere active, governing all creatures and all their actions in a way suited to their nature, working in, with, through, or without second causes, or instrumental agency, as seems good in his sight. Argument from Ephesians i. 17-19 . 3. A third argument on this subject is founded on Ephesians i. 17-19 . The truth involved in this doctrine was so important in the eyes of the Apostle Paul, that he earnestly prayed that God would enable the Ephesians by his Spirit to under”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 85:13: 85:13 Righteousness is like a messenger preparing the world for God’s coming in response to the prayers of his people (85:4-7; 89:14).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 43:3: 43:3 In this prayer for God’s redemption, light and truth are viewed as guides (see 18:25-29; 27:1; 85:10-13; 89:14-18; see also 119:105; John 3:19; Eph 5:8; 1 Thes 5:5-7). • The Temple on the mountain in Jerusalem symbolized God’s holy presence among his people (Pss 15:1; 43:3; 99:5, 9; 132:7).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — TO THE END, FOR THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, (part 3): that He is incomprehensible, lest they should suppose that He is comprehended by corporeal imaginations. "He flew above the wings of the winds." But that swiftness, whereby He showed Himself to be incomprehensible, is above the powers of souls, whereon as upon wings they raise themselves from earthly fears into the air of liberty. 12. "And hath made darkness His hiding place" (ver. 11). And hath settled the obscurity of the Sacraments, and the hidden hope in the heart of believers, where He may l”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 85:1: Ps 85 The psalmist leads the postexilic community in lament and prayer for full redemption. He ponders God’s past rescue of Israel from exile (85:1-3), longs for greater evidence of God’s goodness, and leads the community in prayer for full restoration (85:4-7). God responds with a message of peace (85:8-9), and the psalm concludes with a lyrical outburst at the grandeur of God’s salvation (85:10-13). 85:1-5 Though the psalmist gratefully acknowledges God’s goodness, he also asks God whether his wrath will last forever. 85:1 God restored the fortunes of Israel by ”