Psalms 85:11

11 Faith comes up from the earth like a plant; righteousness is looking down from heaven.

Psalms 85:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 85:11

Truth shall spring out of the earth
Either the Gospel, the word of truth, which sprung up at once in the land of Judea, as if it came out of the earth; and from Zion and Jerusalem it came forth into the Gentile world: or else the truth of grace God desires in the inward parts, and which springs up in such who are like cultivated earth, or good ground, being made so by the Spirit and grace of God, particularly the grace of "faith"; by which some render the word F17 here, which springs up in the heart, and, with it, man believes to righteousness: or rather Christ himself, "who is the way, the truth, and the life"; who, though he is the Lord from heaven, yet may be said, with respect to his incarnation, to spring out of the earth, he taking flesh of the virgin: hence his human nature is said to be "curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth"; and "that new thing created in the earth", ( Psalms 139:15 ) ( Jeremiah 31:22 )

and righteousness shall look down from heaven:
the justice of God, or the righteous God, shall look down from heaven on Christ, the truth, in our nature on earth, with pleasure beholding his obedience, sufferings and death, sacrifice and righteousness; being well pleased with him, and with all he did and suffered, and with all his people, considered in him: these upright and righteous ones his countenance beholds with delight, as they are clothed with Christ's righteousness, washed in his blood, and their sins expiated by his sacrifice, and as they are hoping in his mercy, and trusting in his Son.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (tma) fides. Tigurine version, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius.

Psalms 85:11 In-Context

9 Truly, his salvation is near to his worshippers; so that glory may be in our land.
10 Mercy and faith have come together; righteousness and peace have given one another a kiss.
11 Faith comes up from the earth like a plant; righteousness is looking down from heaven.
12 The Lord will give what is good; and our land will give its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him, making a way for his footsteps.
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