Psalms 85:13

Verse Psalms 85:13. Righteousness shall go before him] Perhaps this verse may receive its best solution from Romans 3:25: "Whom God hath set for a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his RIGHTEOUSNESS for the remission of sins that are past." This term the apostle uses to point out God's method of justifying or saving mankind. And this, in the preaching of the pure Gospel, is ever going before to point out the Lord Jesus, and the redemption that is in his blood. And thus going before him, the sinner, who feels his need of salvation, is Set - in the way of his steps; as Bartimeus sat by the way-side begging, by which way Jesus walked; and when he came where he was, heard his prayer, and restored him his sight. Or, righteousness - the pure and holy law of God, must be proclaimed as broken by sinners, and calling aloud for vengeance, before they can see and feel their need of Christ crucified. By the preaching of the law they are prepared to receive the grace of the Gospel.

ANALYSIS OF THE EIGHTY-FIFTH PSALM

Mystically, this Psalm may be considered as treating of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. It has the three following parts: -

I. An acknowledgment of God's former mercies, Psalms 85:1.

II. A petition on that ground that he would repeat them, Psalms 85:4.

III. A profession of obedience, and an advice to continue in it, Psalms 85:8. That men may be partakers of the promises, both spiritual, Psalms 85:9; and temporal, Psalms 85:12, which shall be fulfilled to those who keep in the ways of God, Psalms 85:13.

I. In the three first verses, the psalmist commemorates God's mercies to his people; of which his good will or favour is the Fountain. These mercies are, 1. Temporal: "Thou hast been favourable unto thy land," c., Psalms 85:1. 2. Spiritual: 1. "Thou hast forgiven the iniquities of thy people:" Justification. 2. "Thou hast taken away all thy wrath:" Reconciliation.

II. Upon this he founds a prayer: "Turn us, O God."

1. Thou hast turned away the captivity. Restore and convert us.

2. Thou hast brought us back. Revive our hearts, that they may rejoice in thee.

3. Thou hast been reconciled to our fathers. Be reconciled to us.

4. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people. Save us.

III. He promises obedience: "I will hear what God will speak" and I shall hear nothing from him but what is for his own glory, and his people's good.

1. "He will speak peace:" He will turn all their sufferings to their advantage.

2. But they must hear, and be steady. They must "not turn again to folly;" let them remember this.

3. To such his promise is sure: "His salvation is nigh them."

4. And it comes, that "glory may dwell in our land;" that it may be crowned with peace and plenty.

In this prosperity of theirs, there shall be a combination of mercy, truth, justice, and peace.

1. "Justice and peace shall embrace;" for there is such a league between these two, that where peace is made without justice, it cannot long continue: and mercy and truth must; for it is inconsistent with mercy to be in concord with falsehood.

2. "Truth shall spring out of the earth." Men shall observe it in all their transactions, contracts, and promises.

3. "Righteousness shall look down from heaven." God will smile on this state of things, and pour out upon them the continual dew of his blessing.

4. In a word, 1. They shall enjoy all spiritual blessings; for the "Lord shall give that which is good." 2. And all temporal; "for the land shall yield her increase."

For these mercies he sets down our duty: -

1. "Righteousness shall go before him." All his saints shall walk before him in righteousness and true holiness.

"And this righteousness shall set them in the way of his steps." It shall teach them to walk constantly and steadily in the way of his commandments all the days of their life.

By manor of the ancients and moderns the whole of this Psalm has been applied to Christ and his salvation. See the preceding notes.