Psalms 85:13

KJV

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set [us] in the way of his steps.

KJV (with Strong's)

Righteousness {H6664} shall go {H1980}{H8762)} before {H6440} him; and shall set {H7760}{H8799)} us in the way {H1870} of his steps {H6471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Justice will walk before him and make his footsteps a path.

Berean Standard Bible

Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.

American Standard Version

Righteousness shall go before him, And shall make his footsteps a way to walk in.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 85:13 culminates a fervent prayer for national restoration and revival, painting a vivid picture of God's inherent righteousness actively preceding Him, preparing the path and ensuring His people are firmly established in the very footsteps of His divine will and character. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's profound hope that God's faithful and just nature will not only lead the way but also empower His people to walk in alignment with His holy standards, thereby ushering in true spiritual and communal flourishing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 85 is a communal lament and prayer for restoration, structured in three distinct movements. It opens with a grateful recollection of God's past favor, specifically the end of the Babylonian exile and the return to the promised land, acknowledging His forgiveness and turning away from wrath ([Psalms 85:1-3](/psalms/85-1-3 "Psalm 85:1-3 - God's Past Deliverance")). This is followed by an earnest plea for renewed divine favor and revival, as the community grapples with present distress and seeks an end to God's lingering displeasure over their sins ([Psalms 85:4-7](/psalms/85-4-7 "Psalm 85:4-7 - Prayer for Revival and Restoration")). The psalm then shifts to an anticipation of God's gracious response, culminating in a beautiful depiction of divine attributes meeting in harmony: "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" ([Psalms 85:10](/psalms/85-10 "Psalm 85:10 - Divine Attributes in Harmony")). Verse 13 serves as the powerful conclusion to this prophetic vision, emphasizing that the manifestation of God's righteousness is the very means by which His people will be guided and established in His ways, leading to the promised blessing and fruitfulness mentioned in the preceding verses, where "truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven" ([Psalms 85:11-12](/psalms/85-11-12 "Psalm 85:11-12 - Truth and Righteousness Converge")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely originates from the post-exilic period, after a remnant of Israel had returned from the Babylonian captivity. While the physical return had occurred, the people faced significant challenges: a ruined land, persistent opposition from surrounding nations, and a lingering sense of God's displeasure due to past sins and ongoing spiritual apathy. The "captivity" mentioned in [Psalms 85:1](/psalms/85-1 "Psalm 85:1 - End of Captivity") refers to this historical exile. In this context, "righteousness" (Hebrew: _tzedeq_) was not merely an abstract moral quality but deeply tied to God's covenant faithfulness, His just governance of His people, and His actions to uphold His promises. The community longed for a full spiritual and national restoration, not just a physical one. They sought for God to act righteously on their behalf, fulfilling His promises and re-establishing their proper relationship with Him, which would in turn enable them to live righteously within the covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 85 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Divine Righteousness** as an active, guiding force. It's not merely an attribute of God, but a dynamic principle that goes before Him, ensuring the integrity and justice of His actions and plans. Closely related is the theme of **God's Perfect Leading and Guidance**, where His character guarantees that the path He lays out for His people is impeccable and ultimately beneficial. This leads to the theme of **Human Response and Obedience**, as the verse implies that as God's righteousness leads, His people are enabled to "walk in the way of his steps," aligning their lives with His will and example. Finally, in the context of the entire psalm, this verse speaks to **Restoration and Blessing**, indicating that true communal and individual flourishing is inextricably linked to the manifestation of God's righteousness and His people's adherence to His ways, echoing the promises of blessings for obedience found throughout the Torah, such as in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedeq'_ H6664):** This multifaceted Hebrew term encompasses more than mere moral rectitude. It denotes justice, conformity to a divine standard, faithfulness to a covenant, and the right order of things. When attributed to God, _tzedeq_ refers to His inherent character as just and fair, His fidelity to His promises, and His actions that uphold His divine order. Here, it is personified as an active agent, preceding God, signifying His unswerving commitment to what is right and true.
* **Go (Hebrew, _hâlak'_ H1980):** A primitive root meaning "to walk," used in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively. In this context, combined with "before him" (Hebrew, _pânîym'_ H6440), it signifies acting as a vanguard, preparing the way, or leading. It implies that God's righteousness is not a static quality but a dynamic force that takes the initiative, ensuring that all subsequent actions and paths are in perfect alignment with His just and faithful nature. It is the very foundation and direction of God's movement.
* **Way (Hebrew, _derek'_ H1870):** From a root meaning "to tread," this noun signifies a road, path, or course. Figuratively, it represents a course of life, a mode of action, or a manner of conduct. In the phrase "way of his steps," _derek_ emphasizes the specific, defined path that God Himself walks and desires His people to follow, implying a pattern of life and conduct consistent with His character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Righteousness shall go before him;":** This clause establishes God's righteousness as the primary, active agent. It is not merely that God *is* righteous and then acts, but that His righteousness *itself* leads the way, taking the initiative in all His dealings. This means that every action, every plan, and every path God takes is fundamentally grounded in His perfect justice, faithfulness, and moral integrity. It assures the worshiper that God's future dealings will be entirely just and true, preparing the ground for His subsequent actions.
* **"and shall set [us] in the way of his steps.":** This second clause describes the direct, divinely enabled consequence of God's righteousness going before Him. Because His righteousness leads, it then establishes or places His people firmly on the path that He Himself walks. The verb "set" (Hebrew, _sûwm'_ H7760) means to place, appoint, or establish. This is a profound promise of divine guidance and enablement. It implies that following God is not a blind walk but a journey along a clearly defined path, made accessible and navigable by His leading righteousness, allowing believers to imitate His character and obey His will. The "us" (implied, as indicated by the KJV brackets) highlights the communal and personal impact of this divine leading.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Personification** is prominently featured as "Righteousness" is given the active capacity to "go before him" and "set [us] in the way of his steps." This imbues an abstract divine attribute with agency, making its role in guiding God's actions and His people more tangible and dynamic. The phrase "way of his steps" functions as a potent **metaphor**, representing God's moral conduct, His divine will, and the path of obedience He desires for His people. It vividly portrays the idea of following closely in God's exact trajectory, implying imitation and adherence. Furthermore, there is a clear **cause-and-effect parallelism** between the two clauses: because righteousness goes before God, it consequently enables His people to walk in His ways. This structure emphasizes the divine initiative in guidance and the resulting human alignment and enablement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 85:13 is a profound statement about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the foundational truth that God's actions are always consistent with His perfect nature, particularly His righteousness. This divine attribute is not merely a static quality but an active, guiding force that precedes His every move, ensuring that His plans are just and His ways are true. For believers, this means that the path God lays out for them is inherently righteous, leading to life and flourishing. The verse also highlights the interplay between divine initiative and human response: God's righteousness leads, and in so doing, it enables His people to walk in alignment with His will, fostering a life of obedience and imitation. This concept resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true blessedness comes from walking in God's ways, which are always righteous and ultimately for our good.

* [Psalms 23:3](/psalms/23-3 "Psalm 23:3 - He Leads in Paths of Righteousness")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")
* [Isaiah 48:17](/isaiah/48-17 "Isaiah 48:17 - The Lord Teaches You to Profit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 85:13 offers profound comfort and direction for believers today, reminding us that God's character is the ultimate guarantee of our path. In a world often characterized by moral ambiguity, shifting values, and uncertain futures, this verse assures us that God's plans for us are always grounded in His perfect righteousness. We are called to trust that His leading is impeccable, even when we cannot fully discern the way ahead or understand His immediate purposes. This trust should translate into an active seeking of His guidance in all areas of life, allowing His Word and Spirit to illuminate our steps. Furthermore, the promise that His righteousness "shall set [us] in the way of his steps" implies not only divine guidance but also divine enablement. It is a powerful call to live a life that reflects His character, imitating Christ's example, not by our own strength alone, but through the empowering grace that flows from His righteous leading. As we surrender to His guidance, we are progressively transformed to walk in holiness, participating in His ongoing work of restoration in the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's righteousness as an active, guiding force impact your trust in His plans for your life, especially when facing uncertainty?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to intentionally allow God's righteousness to "go before you" and set your path, rather than relying on your own understanding?**
* **What does it practically mean to be "set in the way of his steps" in your daily walk with God, and how can you be more intentional about this?**
* **How does the promise of divine enablement in this verse encourage you in your pursuit of a righteous and obedient life, particularly when you feel inadequate?**

### FAQ

**What does "Righteousness shall go before him" truly mean in a practical sense for believers?**

Answer: Practically, this means that God's inherent justice, faithfulness, and moral perfection precede and define all His actions and plans concerning us. For believers, it assures us that any path God leads us on, any command He gives, or any circumstance He allows is ultimately rooted in His perfect character. It implies that we can trust His guidance implicitly because His righteousness is the vanguard, ensuring that the way is good, just, and aligned with His divine will. It's a profound promise that God's leading is always for our ultimate good and His glory, as He is incapable of leading us astray from what is right and true ([Psalms 23:3](/psalms/23-3 "Psalm 23:3 - He Leads in Paths of Righteousness")).

**How does Psalms 85:13 relate to the concept of human free will and responsibility?**

Answer: While the verse strongly emphasizes God's active leading ("Righteousness shall go before him"), it also implies human responsibility in the phrase "and shall set [us] in the way of his steps." God's righteousness prepares the path and enables us to walk it, but we are still called to respond in faith and obedience. It's not a passive experience where we are dragged along, but an active alignment with the path God reveals. Our free will is exercised in choosing to trust His righteous leading and to intentionally follow in the footsteps He sets before us, as seen in numerous passages that call for walking in His ways and keeping His commandments ([Deuteronomy 5:33](/deuteronomy/5-33 "Deuteronomy 5:33 - Walk in All the Way")). God provides the way, but we must choose to walk in it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 85:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's righteousness, the one in whom all divine attributes perfectly dwell. When the psalmist speaks of "Righteousness shall go before him," we see this perfectly realized in Christ, who perfectly walked the path of righteousness, fulfilling all the Father's will and demonstrating perfect obedience in His earthly life ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")). Jesus declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), making Him the living embodiment of the "way of his steps." Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ became our righteousness, imputing His perfect standing before God to all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, by His indwelling Spirit, we are not only shown the way but also empowered to walk in newness of life, following in His footsteps and fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled") and [1 Peter 2:21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ's Example")). Thus, Psalms 85:13 is a prophetic glimpse of the Messiah who would perfectly manifest God's righteousness and enable His people to truly walk in divine alignment, leading them to the Father.

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

Psalms 89:14

Justice and judgment [are] the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

1 Peter 4:1

¶ Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1 John 2:6

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Isaiah 58:8

¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.