Psalms 85:10

Psalm 85:10, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other]," is a profound declaration of God's harmonious attributes, particularly in the context of salvation and restoration. This verse stands as a poetic centerpiece in a psalm that begins with a plea for divine favor and ends with a confident hope in God's goodness.

Context

Psalm 85 is a communal prayer, likely composed during the post-exilic period when the Israelites had returned to their land but were still facing challenges and longing for full restoration and spiritual revival. The psalmist recalls God's past mercies (Psalm 85:1-3) and implores Him to renew His favor. Verse 10, along with verses 11-13, paints a picture of a renewed land and a reconciled relationship between God and His people, where divine justice and love perfectly converge.

Key Themes

• Divine Harmony and Reconciliation: The core message is the beautiful convergence of seemingly distinct divine attributes. God's mercy (His compassionate love) and truth (His faithfulness and integrity) are not at odds but perfectly aligned. Similarly, His righteousness (His justice and moral perfection) and peace (the holistic well-being and shalom that results from His reign) embrace each other.
• God's Character in Salvation: This verse beautifully encapsulates how God's holy character works together to bring about salvation. It foreshadows the ultimate reconciliation achieved through redemption in Christ, where God's justice is satisfied, and His mercy is extended.
• Hope for Restoration: For the psalmist, this harmony of attributes was the foundation for hope that God would indeed restore His people and bring lasting peace and prosperity.

Linguistic Insights

• "Met together" (Hebrew: pagash - פגש): This word signifies an encounter or convergence. It suggests that mercy and truth, rather than operating independently, come into a direct and purposeful meeting.
• "Kissed" (Hebrew: nashaq - נשק): This anthropomorphic verb powerfully conveys intimacy, affection, and reconciliation. It's not merely a casual meeting but a deep, loving embrace, signifying complete agreement and unity between righteousness and peace. This imagery emphasizes that God's justice and His desire for peace are not in conflict but are in perfect accord.

Practical Application

Psalm 85:10 offers profound assurance and a foundation for faith today:

• Assurance of God's Character: We can trust that God's justice never negates His mercy, nor does His mercy compromise His truth. His attributes are in perfect unity, revealing a consistent and trustworthy divine nature.
• Understanding Salvation: This verse helps us appreciate the depth of God's plan for salvation. Through Christ, the demands of righteousness were met, allowing God's mercy to flow freely, resulting in peace with Him.
• Call to Emulate: As followers of God, we are called to pursue these same virtues in our lives and communities. Striving for truth, extending mercy, living righteously, and promoting peace should be hallmarks of our interactions.

This verse ultimately points to the gospel, where God's ultimate act of love brought together His justice and mercy, making peace possible for all who believe.