What is the meaning of Psalm 85:13? Righteousness Will Go • The psalmist personifies righteousness as if it were a herald marching at the front of God’s procession. Because the Lord is intrinsically righteous (Psalm 145:17), any movement He makes is characterized by perfect moral integrity. • Psalm 89:14 declares, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne,” emphasizing that righteousness is not an accessory but the very ground He stands on. • This truth reassures believers that God never acts arbitrarily; every promise of restoration in Psalm 85 rests on His unwavering righteousness (Isaiah 45:19). Before Him • “Before Him” pictures righteousness clearing the path, much like an advance guard. Isaiah 58:8 uses similar language: “Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.” • God’s own righteousness is out front, guaranteeing that nothing opposing His holy nature can stand in His way (Habakkuk 1:13). • For His people, this means any deliverance He brings is fully compatible with His justice (Romans 3:26). To Prepare the Way • The phrase echoes Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, passages later applied to John the Baptist (Luke 1:76), showing how God’s advance work paves the road for His redemptive actions. • Here, righteousness is the “road grader,” leveling obstacles so God’s blessings in Psalm 85—revival, forgiveness, peace—can arrive unhindered. • It reminds believers that when God prepares to move, He first aligns circumstances with His character; nothing proceeds until the way is morally ready (Psalm 25:10). For His Steps • The verse ends with movement: God is not static. “Your procession, O God, has come into view” (Psalm 68:24). • As righteousness lays down the path, God takes tangible steps—answering prayer, restoring the land (Psalm 85:1), granting peace (Psalm 85:8). • Believers can trust that every divine footfall is deliberate and purposeful (Psalm 37:23). His steps always arrive exactly where righteousness has already marked the trail. summary Psalm 85:13 teaches that God’s own righteousness precedes Him like a herald, ensuring the way is morally cleared before He advances. Because His steps never deviate from perfect justice, His people can confidently expect restoration, blessing, and peace whenever He moves. |
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