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Commentary on Psalms 85 verses 8–13
We have here an answer to the prayers and expostulations in the foregoing verses.
I. In general, it is an answer of peace. This the psalmist is soon aware of (Psa 85:8), for he stands upon his watch-tower to hear what God will say unto him, as the prophet, Hab 2:1, Hab 2:2. I will hear what God the Lord will speak. This intimates, 1. The stilling of his passions - his grief, his fear - and the tumult of his spirit which they occasioned: "Compose thyself, O my soul! in a humble silence to attend upon God and wait his motions. I have spoken enough, or too much; now I will hear what God will speak, and welcome his holy will. What saith my Lord unto his servant?" If we would have God to hear what we say to him by prayer, we must be ready to hear what he says to us by his word. 2. The raising of his expectation; now that he has been at prayer he looks for something very great, and very kind, from the God that hears prayer. When we have prayed we should look after our prayers, and stay for an answer. Now observe here, (1.) What it is that he promises himself from God, in answer to his prayers: He will speak peace to his people, and to his saints. There are a people in the world who are God's people, set apart for him, subject to him, and who shall be saved by him. All his people are his saints, sanctified by his grace and devoted to his glory; these may sometimes want peace, when without are fightings and within are fears; but, sooner or later, God will speak peace to them; if he do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace, speaking that to their hearts by his Spirit which he has spoken to their ears by his word and ministers and making them to hear joy and gladness. (2.) What use he makes of this expectation. [1.] He takes the comfort of it; and so must we: "I will hear what God the Lord will speak, hear the assurances he gives of peace, in answer to prayer." When God speaks peace we must not be deaf to it, but with all humility and thankfulness receive it. [2.] He cautions the saints to do the duty which this calls for: But let them not turn again to folly; for it is on these terms, and no other, that peace is to be expected. To those, and those only, peace is spoken, who turn from sin; but, if they return to it again, it is at their peril. All sin is folly, but especially backsliding; it is egregious folly to turn to sin after we have seemed to turn from it, to turn to it after God has spoken peace. God is for peace, but, when he speaks, such are for war.
II. Here are the particulars of this answer of peace. He doubts not but all will be well in a little time, and therefore gives us the pleasing prospect of the flourishing estate of the church in the last five verses of the psalm, which describe the peace and prosperity that God, at length, blessed the children of the captivity with, when, after a great deal of toil and agitation, at length they gained a settlement in their own land. But it may be taken both as a promise also to all who fear God and work righteousness, that they shall be easy and happy, and as a prophecy of the kingdom of the Messiah and the blessings with which that kingdom should be enriched. Here is,
1.Help at hand (Psa 85:9): "Surely his salvation is nigh, nigh to us, nigher than we think it is: it will soon be effected, how great soever our difficulties and distresses are, when God's time shall come, and that time is not far off." When the tale of bricks is doubled, then Moses comes. It is nigh to all who fear him; when trouble is nigh salvation is nigh, for God is a very present help in time of trouble to all who are his; whereas salvation is far from the wicked, Psa 119:155. This may fitly be applied to Christ the author of eternal salvation: it was the comfort of the Old Testament saints that, though they lived not to see that redemption in Jerusalem which they waited for, yet they were sure it was nigh, and would be welcome, to all that fear God.
2.Honour secured: "That glory may dwell in our land, that we may have the worship of God settled and established among us; for that is the glory of a land. When that goes, Ichabod - the glory has departed; when that stays glory dwells." This may refer to the Messiah, who was to be the glory of his people Israel, and who came and dwelt among them (Joh 1:4), for which reason their land is called Immanuel's land, Isa 8:8.
3.Graces meeting, and happily embracing (Psa 85:10, Psa 85:11): Mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, kiss each other. This may be understood, (1.) Of the reformation of the people and of the government, in the administration of which all those graces should be conspicuous and commanding. The rulers and ruled shall all be merciful and true, righteous and peaceable. When there is no truth nor mercy all goes to ruin (Hos 4:1; Isa 59:14, Isa 59:15); but when these meet in the management of all affairs, when these give aim, when these give law, when there is such plenty of truth that it sprouts up like the grass of the earth, and of righteousness that it is showered down like rain from heaven, then things go well. When in every congress mercy and truth meet, in every embrace righteousness and peace kiss, and common honesty is indeed common, then glory dwells in a land, as the sin of reigning dishonesty is a reproach to any people. (2.) Of the return of God's favour, and the continuance of it, thereupon. When a people return to God and adhere to him in a way of duty he will return to them and abide with them in a way of mercy. So some understand this, man's truth and God's mercy, man's righteousness and God's peace, meet together. If God find us true to him, to one another, to ourselves, we shall find him merciful. If we make conscience of righteousness, we shall have the comfort of peace. If truth spring out of the earth, that is (as Dr. Hammond expounds it), out of the hearts of men, the proper soil for it to grow in, righteousness (that is, God's mercy) shall look down from heaven, as the sun does upon the world when it sheds its influences on the productions of the earth and cherishes them. (3.) Of the harmony of the divine attributes in the Messiah's undertaking. In him who is both our salvation and our glory mercy and truth have met together; God's mercy and truth, and his righteousness and peace, have kissed each other; that is, the great affair of our salvation is so well contrived, so well concerted, that God may have mercy upon poor sinners, and be at peace with them, without any wrong to his truth and righteousness. He is true to the threatening, and just in his government, and yet pardons sinners and takes them into covenant with himself. Christ, as Mediator, brings heaven and earth together again, which sin had set at variance; through him truth springs out of the earth, that truth which God desires in the inward part, and then righteousness looks down from heaven; for God is just, and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. Or it may denote that in the kingdom of the Messiah these graces shall flourish and prevail and have a universal command.
4.Great plenty of every thing desirable (Psa 85:12): The Lord shall give that which is good, every thing that he sees to be good for us. All good comes from God's goodness; and when mercy, truth, and righteousness, have a sovereign influence on men's hearts and lives, all good may be expected. If we thus seek the righteousness of God's kingdom, other things shall be added; Mat 6:33. When the glory of the gospel dwells in our land, then it shall yield its increase, for soul-prosperity will either bring outward prosperity along with it or sweeten the want of it. See Psa 67:6.
5.A sure guidance in the good way (Psa 85:13): The righteousness of his promise which he has made to us, assuring us of happiness, and the righteousness of sanctification, that good work which he has wrought in us, these shall go before him to prepare his way, both to raise our expectations of his favour and to qualify us for it; and these shall go before us also, and be our guide to set us in the way of his steps, that is, to encourage our hopes and guide our practice, that we may go forth to meet him when he is coming towards us in ways of mercy. Christ, the sun of righteousness, shall bring us to God, and put us into the way that leads to him. John Baptist, a preacher of righteousness, shall go before Christ to prepare his way. Righteousness is a sure guide both in meeting God and in following him.
"Truth has sprung out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heaven" [Psalm 85:11]. "Truth has sprung out of the earth:" Christ is born of a woman. The Son of God has come forth of the flesh. What is truth? The Son of God. What is the earth? Flesh. Ask whence Christ was born, and you see that "Truth is sprung out of the earth." But the Truth which sprang out of the earth was before the earth, and by It the heaven and the earth were made: but in order that righteousness might look down from heaven, that is, in order that men might be justified by Divine grace, Truth was born of the Virgin Mary; that He might be able to offer a sacrifice to justify them, the sacrifice of suffering, the sacrifice of the Cross. And how could He offer a sacrifice for our sins, except He died? How could He die, except He received from us that wherein He might die; that is, unless He received from us mortal flesh, Christ could not have died: because the Word of God dies not, Godhead dies not, the Virtue and Wisdom of God does not die. How should He offer a sacrifice, a healing victim, if He died not? How should He die, unless He clothed Himself with flesh? How should He put on flesh, except truth sprang out of the earth?
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SUMMARY
Psalm 85:11 presents a profound poetic vision of divine attributes converging to bring about restoration and blessing. It vividly portrays "truth," representing God's unwavering faithfulness and reality, organically emerging from the earthly realm, while "righteousness," God's perfect justice and moral perfection, benevolently looks down from heaven. This powerful verse encapsulates the harmonious interaction between God's character and His redemptive work, anticipating a future where divine standards are fully manifest and experienced by humanity within a renewed creation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 85:11 is rich in Personification, a literary device where human qualities or actions are attributed to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. "Truth" is depicted as "springing out of the earth," an action typically associated with plants or living things, conveying vitality, organic growth, and an inherent, life-giving power. Similarly, "righteousness" is said to "look down from heaven," an act of observation, care, and engagement characteristic of a conscious, benevolent being. This personification imbues these abstract divine attributes with dynamic agency, making them tangible and active participants in God's redemptive and restorative work. Furthermore, the verse employs Parallelism, specifically a synthetic or complementary parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. While not strictly synonymous, both clauses describe a harmonious interaction between divine attributes and the earthly realm, with truth emerging from below and righteousness descending from above, creating a unified and holistic vision of divine restoration. The vivid imagery evokes a powerful sense of divine presence and active engagement in the world, transforming it.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates the biblical hope for a renewed creation where God's character is fully revealed and embraced. It speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's faithfulness and justice, assuring believers that despite present struggles or spiritual barrenness, God's truth will ultimately prevail and His righteousness will establish a new order. This divine initiative is foundational to all true salvation and restoration, as humanity cannot generate perfect truth or righteousness on its own; they are gifts from God. The verse points to a future where the chasm between the divine and human is bridged, and God's attributes are not only recognized but also experienced in tangible ways, leading to flourishing and peace. It underscores the active, sovereign role of God in bringing about His kingdom, where His perfect standards are manifested on earth as they are in heaven, culminating in a state of perfect shalom.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 85:11 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It grounds our hope in the unwavering character of God, reminding us that His truth and righteousness are not distant ideals but active, transformative forces that will ultimately prevail and bring about comprehensive restoration. In a world often marked by deception, injustice, and moral compromise, this verse assures us that God's faithfulness will indeed "spring out of the earth," becoming evident and transforming the landscape of human experience. It challenges us to be active participants in this divine process, living authentically, speaking truth with integrity, and upholding righteousness in our daily lives, thereby reflecting God's character to a watching world. Simultaneously, it reminds us that true righteousness ultimately originates from heaven as a divine gift. While we are called to pursue righteousness, our ultimate hope rests in God's sovereign work to establish His perfect justice. This prompts us to look to Him for guidance, strength, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises, including the establishment of His kingdom where righteousness fully dwells and transforms all things.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How does Psalm 85:11 relate to the preceding verse, Psalm 85:10?
Answer: Psalm 85:11 serves as a powerful continuation and concrete manifestation of the theological harmony expressed in Psalm 85:10. While verse 10 states that "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other," portraying an abstract, almost personified, union of divine attributes, verse 11 describes the result of this divine harmony in the earthly realm. It shows how that meeting and kissing will be experienced: truth will become visible and active ("spring out of the earth"), and righteousness will actively engage with humanity ("look down from heaven"). Together, these verses paint a complete picture of God's character leading to tangible and transformative restoration on earth.
Is the "truth" mentioned here primarily human truth or divine truth?
Answer: While the verse describes truth "springing out of the earth," implying its manifestation in the human sphere, the ultimate source and nature of this "truth" are profoundly divine. It is God's truth—His faithfulness, reliability, covenant fidelity, and the very reality of His being—that becomes evident and active among humanity. The "earth" here represents the realm where human life unfolds, where God's promises are tested, and where His character is ultimately revealed and experienced. So, it's divine truth made manifest and experienced by humanity, rather than originating from humanity itself. This is consistent with the broader biblical understanding that all true and enduring truth flows from the character and Word of God.
What does "spring out of the earth" imply for believers in their daily lives?
Answer: For believers, "truth shall spring out of the earth" implies a call to be instruments through whom God's truth is made visible and impactful in the world. It means living with integrity, authenticity, and transparency, allowing God's character and the truth of His Word to be reflected in our actions and words. It suggests that our lives, when aligned with God's will, can become fertile ground from which His faithfulness, justice, and reality organically emerge for others to see. This is not about generating truth ourselves, but about being conduits for the divine truth that transforms and renews, contributing to the spiritual flourishing that God desires for His creation. It encourages us to embody the truth of the Gospel in practical, everyday ways, making God's reality undeniable to those around us.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 85:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "truth" that springs out of the earth. As John 1:14 declares, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Jesus, God's eternal faithfulness, reliability, and ultimate reality were made tangible and accessible to humanity, walking among us. His life, teachings, atoning death, and glorious resurrection perfectly reveal God's character and His comprehensive redemptive plan. Simultaneously, Jesus is the perfect manifestation of "righteousness looking down from heaven." He is our righteousness, as 1 Corinthians 1:30 states, "Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice on the cross represent the ultimate act of divine righteousness, looking down from heaven to justify sinful humanity and bring us into right relationship with God (Romans 3:21-26). The harmonious meeting of truth and righteousness, longed for in the psalm, is fully realized in Christ, who perfectly unites God's character with His redemptive action, bringing about the new creation where God's presence and attributes are fully and eternally manifested (Revelation 22:3-5).