Psalms 85:11

KJV

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

Truth {H571} shall spring out {H6779}{H8799)} of the earth {H776}; and righteousness {H6664} shall look down {H8259}{H8738)} from heaven {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Truth springs up from the earth, and justice looks down from heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

American Standard Version

Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 85:11 presents a vivid poetic image of divine attributes converging to bring about restoration and blessing. It envisions "truth" (God's faithfulness and reality) emerging from the earthly realm, while "righteousness" (God's justice and moral perfection) descends from heaven. This profound verse encapsulates the harmonious interaction between God's character and His redemptive work, promising a future where divine standards are fully manifest and experienced by humanity in a renewed creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for national restoration, likely composed after the return from Babylonian exile (cf. [Psalm 85:1-3](/psalms/85-1 "Psalm 85:1-3 - God's Past Favor")). The psalmist recalls God's past favor and deliverance, then transitions to an earnest plea for renewed mercy and salvation in the present ([Psalm 85:4-7](/psalms/85-4 "Psalm 85:4-7 - Plea for Restoration")). Verse 11 belongs to the concluding section of the psalm ([Psalm 85:8-13](/psalms/85-8 "Psalm 85:8-13 - Confident Hope in God's Salvation")), which expresses confident hope in God's coming salvation. It builds directly upon the profound theological statement in [Psalm 85:10](/psalms/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Mercy and Truth Meet"), "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other," extending the imagery of divine attributes in harmonious union. This verse anticipates the tangible manifestation of God's character on earth, a direct result of His promised salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 85 is generally understood to be the post-exilic period, following the return of the Jewish people from Babylon. While the initial return brought joy, the reality was often challenging, marked by economic hardship, opposition, and a sense of unfulfilled promises (cf. Haggai and Zechariah). The nation had experienced God's discipline through exile, and now, though back in their land, they yearned for a deeper, more complete spiritual and national restoration. The "earth" in the verse can represent the land of Israel, which had been desolate but was now expected to flourish under God's renewed favor. The longing for righteousness to "look down from heaven" reflects the deep desire for divine approval, justice, and the full re-establishment of God's covenant blessings, reminiscent of the covenant promises of prosperity and peace for obedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")).
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 85:11 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Harmony**, portraying God's attributes—truth, righteousness, mercy, and peace—not as isolated concepts but as perfectly integrated and active forces in His redemptive plan. The imagery of truth "springing" and righteousness "looking down" emphasizes their dynamic and interactive nature. Secondly, it speaks to **Spiritual and National Restoration**, envisioning a time when God's character is fully manifest on earth, leading to reconciliation, blessing, and the flourishing of His people. This suggests a future where divine standards are not only upheld but also experienced by humanity, bringing about a renewed state of being. Finally, the verse carries significant **Messianic Foreshadowing**. Many commentators interpret this verse as pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Christ. In Jesus, God's truth was embodied on earth, as [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares that "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." His life, death, and resurrection perfectly displayed and offered God's righteousness from heaven, making it accessible to humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Truth (Hebrew, _'emet'_):** This word (אֱמֶת) signifies faithfulness, reliability, stability, and reality. It refers to God's unwavering fidelity to His covenant promises and His inherent nature as the source of all that is real and true. When truth "springs out of the earth," it implies that God's faithfulness will not merely be a theological concept but will become visibly and tangibly demonstrated within the earthly realm, manifesting in the lives and circumstances of His people. It suggests a flourishing of integrity, reliability, and divine revelation on the human plane.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tzedeq'_):** The term (צֶדֶק) denotes justice, moral rectitude, conformity to God's holy standard, and saving righteousness. It encompasses both God's just character and His acts of bringing things into right relationship with Himself. When righteousness "looks down from heaven," it suggests divine oversight, approval, and active intervention. It is a posture of divine beneficence and judgment, implying that God's perfect justice and saving grace are not only observed from above but are also actively bestowed and established upon the earth, bringing order and alignment with His divine will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Truth shall spring out of the earth":** This phrase paints a vivid picture of organic growth and vitality. "Truth" is personified as something alive, emerging from the ground, suggesting that God's faithfulness and reality will not be imposed from without but will organically manifest within the human sphere. It implies a natural, visible, and undeniable demonstration of God's integrity and covenant fidelity, becoming evident in the experience of His people and the world. This is a promise of God's character becoming manifest and fruitful in the very places where humanity dwells and struggles.
* **"and righteousness shall look down from heaven":** This clause describes a divine posture of active observation and benevolent engagement. "Righteousness" is personified as a divine gaze, implying that God's perfect justice and saving power are attentive to the earthly realm. This "looking down" is not passive; it suggests divine approval, a readiness to act, and the ultimate source of all true righteousness. It signifies that the standard and power for true justice and right living originate from God's heavenly throne and are extended to humanity as a gift and a guiding light.

#### 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 and organic growth. Similarly, "righteousness" is said to "look down from heaven," an act of observation and engagement characteristic of a conscious being. This personification imbues these abstract divine attributes with dynamic agency, making them tangible and active participants in God's redemptive 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 vision of divine restoration. The vivid imagery evokes a sense of divine presence and active engagement in the world.

### 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. 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 role of God in bringing about His kingdom, where His perfect standards are manifested on earth as they are in heaven.

* [Isaiah 45:8](/isaiah/45-8 "Isaiah 45:8 - Righteousness Rains Down")
* [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")
* [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")

### 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 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. 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 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community do you long to see God's "truth spring out of the earth"?**
* **How does the concept of "righteousness looking down from heaven" shape your understanding of God's active involvement in the world?**
* **What practical steps can you take to embody God's truth and righteousness in your daily interactions and decisions?**
* **How does the harmony of God's attributes (truth, righteousness, mercy, peace) in this psalm encourage you in times of personal or societal brokenness?**

### 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](/psalms/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Mercy and Truth Meet"). 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 restoration.

**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 divine. It is God's truth—His faithfulness, reliability, and covenant fidelity—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. So, it's divine truth made manifest and experienced by humanity, rather than originating from humanity itself. This is consistent with the biblical understanding that all true and enduring truth flows from 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 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 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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 85:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "truth" that springs out of the earth. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") 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 and reality were made tangible and accessible to humanity. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection perfectly reveal God's character and His redemptive plan. Simultaneously, Jesus is the perfect manifestation of "righteousness looking down from heaven." He is our righteousness, as [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption") 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. Through Him, God's saving justice descends, making reconciliation possible. 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](/revelation/22-3-5 "Revelation 22:3-5 - God's Throne and Lamb's Light")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Isaiah 45:8

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

1 John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Isaiah 4:2

¶ In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.