Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 85:13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set [us] in the way of his steps.
13. Jehovah Himself appears to lead His people forward. Before Him as a herald goes the righteousness which moves Him to the salvation of His people; and (it) shall make his footsteps a way (to walk in); so that His people may follow without let or hindrance; an allusion possibly to the ‘way’ so often spoken of in the later chapters of Isaiah (Isa 35:8; Isa 42:16; Isa 48:17; Isa 49:11; Isa 51:10; Isa 57:14; Isa 62:10). The words are obscure, but this rendering, adopted by R.V., is the best. Other renderings are; (1) and shall set its footsteps in the way of his footsteps, i.e. follow Him closely, cp. Isa 58:8; Isa 52:12; or, (2) which gives a similar sense, shall give heed to the way of his footsteps; or (3) and shall set its footsteps in the way, march forward freely and unrestrainedly, in contrast to the gloomy picture of Isa 49:14; or (4) shall set his footsteps in the way, move God to march forth in saving might.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Righteousness shall go before him – Shall anticipate his coming, and prepare his way. The idea seems to be, that in order to his appearing, there would be a proclamation of righteousness, and a preparation for his advent by the diffusion of righteousness among the people; in other words, the nation, in the prospect of his coming, would turn from sin, and would seek to be prepared for his appearing. Thus John proclaimed the coining of the Redeemer, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 3:2. So also The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mat 3:3.
And shall set us in the way of his steps – This might be rendered, and set its steps for a way; that is, the steps which would be taken by him would indicate the way in which his people should walk. Perhaps, however, the common interpretation best expresses the sense of the passage. According to that, the idea is, that the effect of his coming would be to dispose people to walk in the way of the steps which he took; to be his imitators and followers. The general thought is, that his coming would have the effect of turning the people to the paths of righteousness and truth. This is the designed effect of all the visitations of God to our world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 85:13
Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps.
Right steps
I. The essential steps of the Lords dealings with us. The first thing in Gods dealing towards us is that He gives His well-beloved Son; and the first thing in His manifestation of Himself to us is to open our eyes to see our need of this, and thus to bring us into the same way, the way of His steps. The next step in a way of detail as given in this psalm is that of forgiveness. The steps now described in a way of detail naturally follow. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people. That is one of the sweetest features of the Gospel. Thou hast covered all their sin. Here is Satans universal and entire defeat, seeing He has covered all their sins; and who shall lay anything to the charge of Gods elect? Is not this a step in loving-kindness, is not this a step of grace, is not this an infinitely and an eternally advantageous step,–thus to receive Christ Jesus as to receive the forgiveness of sins?
II. The reasons why the Lord setteth us in the way of his steps.
1. That we may be supported when we fall into tribulations, adversities, and trials. If some of you are so placed at present that you may not exactly feel in your minds the force of this reason, you will before you die, because trouble is the lot of us all, affliction is the lot of us all, and the Lord brings us into His steps that we may be with Him, and be supported.
2. That He might foreshow us what we should do under difficult and trying circumstances. See Daniel in the lions den; see Mordecai. The Lord doth in ten thousand ways stir up His children, give them the spirit of prayer, make them look to Him to deliver them from their troubles; thus they shall escape ten thousand evils that they must have been entangled fatally by but for the reigning grace, power, and interposition of the blessed God.
3. The Lord keeps His people with Himself that they may be like Him. (James Wells.)
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Psa 86:1-17
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 13. Righteousness shall go before him] Perhaps this verse may receive its best solution from Ro 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, Ps 85:1-3.
II. A petition on that ground that he would repeat them, Ps 85:4-7.
III. A profession of obedience, and an advice to continue in it, Ps 85:8. That men may be partakers of the promises, both spiritual, Ps 85:9-11; and temporal, Ps 85:12, which shall be fulfilled to those who keep in the ways of God, Ps 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., Ps 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Go before him, as his harbinger or attendant. He shall work and fulfil all righteousness, he shall glorify and satisfy the righteousness of God, and shall advance the practice of righteousness and holiness among men.
Shall set us in the way of his steps, i.e. shall cause us to walk in those righteous ways wherein he walketh, and which he hath prescribed to us. But this us is not in the Hebrew, and may seem too liberal a supplement. And the words may be, and are by almost all other interpreters, rendered otherwise, he (i.e. God) shall set (which may note his stability and constancy in so doing) it (to wit, righteousness last mentioned) in the way of his steps, i.e. in the way wherein he walketh. So the sense of this last clause is the same for substance with the former, as is very usual in this book; righteousness in that clause goes before him, and in this it goes along with him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Righteousness shall go before him,…. The incarnate Saviour, the increase of our land, and fruit of the virgin’s womb; and righteousness may be put for a righteous person, as Aben Ezra interprets it; and may design John the Baptist, a holy and just man, Mr 6:20, who was the forerunner and harbinger of Christ, went before him, and prepared the way for him, Lu 1:76
and shall set us in the way of his steps; the business of John the Baptist being not only to prepare the way of Christ by his doctrine and baptism, but to guide the feet of his people into the way of peace; or to direct them to believe in Christ, and to be followers of him, the Lamb of God, whithersoever he went; who has left an example of grace and duty, that we should tread in his steps, Lu 1:79, the Targum renders it, “in the good way”; and such a way John taught men to walk in.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
13. Righteousness shall go before him. The word righteousness is taken by some for a righteous person; but this is unnatural. Viewed in this light, the passage, indeed, contains the useful and important truth, That the righteous man will walk before God, and will make it his object to regulate all his actions according to the principles of moral rectitude. But there being no necessity for wresting the word righteousness so violently, it will be better to adopt the more correct and simple view, which is, that under the reign of Christ order will be so well established, that righteousness will walk before God, and occupy every path. The prophet seems thus to call back the attention of the faithful to what constitutes the chief elements of blessedness; for although God may grant to his servants an abundant supply of sustenance for the body, it is unbecoming for them to have their hearts set upon this. And in truth, one difference between us and the lower animals is, that God, instead of pampering and stuffing our bellies, for the mere gratification of our animal appetites, directs our views to higher and more important objects. When it is said that righteousness shall go before God, the meaning is, that the prevalence and unobstructed course of righteousness, which is equivalent to setting her steps in the way, is to be attributed to the appointment of God. Isaiah, on the contrary, complains that equity, instead of setting her steps in the way, is prohibited from making her appearance in public, and meets with a universal repulse. “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter,” (Isa 59:14.) In this psalm prayers and holy meditations, engaged in with the view of nourishing and confirming faith, together with praises and thanksgivings, are intermingled. It having been difficult in the judgment of carnal reason for David to escape from the distresses with which he was environed, he sets in opposition to its conclusions the infinite goodness and power of God. Nor does he simply request deliverance from his enemies; but he also prays that the fear of God may be implanted and firmly established in his heart.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(13) Righteousness shall . . .Better, Righteousness shall walk in front of Him, and follow in His steps.
Nothing is more instructive than the blending in Psa. 85:12-13 of material and moral blessings. They do go together, as experience, especially national testifies. In the same spirit is Wordsworths well-known Ode to Duty:
Stern Law-giver! Yet thou dost wear
The Godheads most benignant grace,
Nor know we anything so fair
As is the smile upon thy face.
Flowers laugh before thee on their beds,
And fragrance in thy footing treads:
Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong,
And the most ancient heavens through Thee are
fresh and strong.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Righteousness shall go before him That is, shall, as a herald, go before God. Psa 89:14.
And shall set us in the way of his steps Literally, And shall set his feet to the way; that is, God shall set his feet to “the way” which his “righteousness” prepares, or in which, as a herald, it leads; and, by implication, if we would receive the blessings referred to in the previous verses, we must walk in the same steps. Thus we learn that there can be no individual or national peace and prosperity without the “truth” and “righteousness” of God being implanted and living in the hearts or men.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 85:13. Righteousness shall go before him, &c. Before him righteousness shall walk; and that’s the path his feet shall tread: Hebrew: he shall set his feet in the way; that way of righteousness, says Fenwick, (referring the psalm to Christ) in which his harbinger, the Baptist, shall go before him. This blessed way he will adorn by setting his feet, and walking therein himself. In a general view, the righteousness or goodness of God is here poetically represented as going before him, like a prodromus, or usher, when he comes in a gracious manner to visit the earth, and as directing his people likewise to walk in the steps of that righteousness. We may render the last clause, And shall set, or imprint its footsteps in the way.
REFLECTIONS.1st, Experience of past mercies gives encouragement under present distress. Thus the people of God here draw near to him.
1. They thankfully acknowledge his great goodness in time past, and this in many particulars: in his favour shewn them, which is the chief blessing and the spring of all the rest; in the restoration of them from captivity, in the full and free forgiveness of their manifold transgressions; and in the blessed effects thereof, the removal of all that wrath and indignation which they had so highly provoked. Note; (1.) Present distress should never obliterate the grateful memory of past mercies. (2.) What can so deservedly engage our thanks, as the deliverance wrought by Jesus for his faithful people, from the captivity of sin and Satan? (3.) When God pardons, he does it fully as freely; the blood of Jesus sprinkled on the conscience covers all sin. (4.) When guilt is removed, wrath ceases of course.
2. They cry for mercy and salvation under their present troubles. Turn us, O God of our salvation: they had backslidden, and suffered for their faithlessness: therefore they beg of God to turn them from their sins, that their sufferings may be removed; and plead the covenant of mercy, which still affords them grounds of hope: and cause thine anger toward us to cease, sin, the cause of it, being removed. Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, how thy grace abounds beyond all our demerit, and grant us thy salvation; appear for our deliverance, and make us know that thou art able to save to the uttermost. Note; (1.) Though we may have been unfaithful, God is not inexorable; when we are led to cry, Turn us, he will return in mercy. (2.) No salvation can be hoped for, while we continue in our sins, and without desire to part from them. (3.) All that a sinner can ever ask at God’s hands is mercy: unless he save freely without respect to our deserts, we are undone eternally.
3. They humbly expostulate on his displeasure now testified towards them. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? That we have deserved thy anger we own, but must perish if it be not removed. Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? no; thou art still, though our offended, yet our covenant God, and wilt not retain thine anger for ever towards returning penitents. Wilt thou not revive us again with words of consolation, with the light of thy countenance, and the interposition of thy grace and providence, raising us from our state of languishing through our backsliding, and from the sufferings under which we are oppressed; that thy people may rejoice in thee, experiencing thy love, power, and faithfulness, and ascribing to thee the entire glory of their salvation? Note; They who experience the power of restoring grace, will rejoice in God their Saviour, and speak, to his glory, of the wonders of his grace.
2nd, The Psalmist’s prayer quickly meets an answer of peace.
1. He waits in confidence of being heard and answered. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, patiently, composedly, and confidently expecting a reply to his petitions; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; they are his, separated for his blessed work and service. But let them not turn again to folly, to sin and backsliding. Note; (1.) They who pray, should expect an answer. (2.) When God has spoken peace to our souls, let us be careful not to provoke him again to withdraw it from us, through our folly.
2. He enlarges on the blessings which in faith he expects to receive, and seems particularly to have in view the coming of the glorious Messiah and his kingdom, the great hope and happiness of Israel. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; his salvation, for from God alone cometh our help; and it is nigh; when believers are most oppressed he is at hand; and those who fear him will not be forsaken by him in any of their distresses: and this may refer to the Lord Jesus, whose day, by faith, the believers of old beheld approaching, and rejoiced in his salvation; that glory may dwell in our land, honourable as well as safe, under the divine protection, and most eminently glorious by the appearing of Immanuel, and the preaching of the everlasting gospel. Mercy, or grace, and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other; so full of these good fruits is their land, and such harmony maintained among the Israel of God; or rather in the Redeemer’s person grace and truth are met, Joh 14:17 grace in the most transcendant manner shewn to perishing sinners, and God’s faithfulness to all his promises eminently manifested; the salvation of God now fully revealed and magnified, and peace on earth and good will to men restored, Luk 2:14. The punishment of sin is exacted, yet the sinner saved; the justice of God awfully executed, and withal abounding grace extended to the fallen sons of Adam. Truth shall spring out of the earth, either the gospel-word, so universally spread abroad, as grass covers the earth watered with vernal showers; or the truth of divine grace springing up in the heart, through the enlightening and sanctifying influences of the Spirit of truth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven, the righteous God being well pleased with beholding the Redeemer executing his work of redemption, and regarding with delight all those who, washed in his blood, are now entirely justified. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; not merely temporal gifts, but the greater spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, of pardon, grace, and glory; and our land shall yield her increase; not only abundance of corn and wine and oil, but those fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God; or the Saviour himself born on earth, the most blessed fruit it ever produced. Righteousness shall go before him, in perfect righteousness all his ways will be directed; or it may signify a righteous person, as John the Baptist, sent to prepare the way of the Lord; and shall set us in the way of his steps, pointing us to the Lamb of God, and teaching us to be the followers of him in faithfulness and truth, that we may be led into the paths of everlasting peace.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
MY soul, read again and again this blessed Psalm; and so read and meditate concerning the most glorious things spoken of in it, until thy whole affections are led out in holy rapture, praise, and love, to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the wonders of redemption so beautifully and largely set forth in it. See, my soul, how all the attributes of Jehovah meet to accomplish salvation, by the union of what nothing but divine love could have proposed, and nothing but divine power could have accomplished! See how all the sacred Persons assemble to crown Jesus, King of Glory! Here God and man meet in one person, Christ. Here law and gospel, justice and mercy, are found harmonizing! Here heaven and earth are brought together, rather than poor man shall be lost! Here a covenant of works and a covenant of grace meet in the wonderful person of Jesus! And here we learn an evident proof, that God can be just to his own glory, and yet gracious to a poor sinner’s transgressions, in justifying the ungodly.
Look up, my soul, look up, and contemplate thy Jesus, thy Redeemer, thy Saviour. Surely thou hast never done this as thou ought, if thou dost not behold in him what this Psalm records, mercy and truth meeting together, righteousness and peace kissing each other. In him, and his righteousness, his blood, and the graces of his Holy Spirit, do thou seek for the Father’s honour and glory, and the assurance of thine own everlasting salvation. And oh! let the consciousness of everything centering in Christ for grace here, lead thee to the blessed hope and confidence, that everything for glory hereafter must centre in him also. In Christ, Jehovah meets the sinner with pardon and mercy in this life; and in Christ all the manifestations of Jehovah meet to give happiness and glory to the church to all eternity. Hallelujah! Salvation to God and the Lamb. Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set [us] in the way of his steps.
Ver. 13. Righteousness shall go before him ] Men shall walk before God in holiness and righteousness all the days of their lives, Luk 1:75 ; they shall not rest in outward blessings, Psa 85:12 , or be satisfied with such low things, but be led up thereby to the care of higher.
And shall set us in the way of his steps
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Righteousness: Psa 72:2, Psa 72:3, Psa 89:14, Isa 58:8
shall set: Psa 119:35, Mat 20:27, Mat 20:28, Joh 13:14-16, Joh 13:34, 2Co 3:18, Gal 2:20, Eph 5:1, Eph 5:2, Phi 2:5-8, Heb 12:1, Heb 12:2, 1Pe 2:18-24, 1Pe 4:1, 1Jo 2:6
Reciprocal: Psa 37:23 – steps 1Pe 2:21 – leaving Rev 14:13 – and their
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
85:13 {h} Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set [us] in the way of his steps.
(h) Justice will then flourish and have free course and passage in every place.