85:10 The answer to the prayer for revival is given in the closing verses. They describe the idyllic conditions which will prevail when the Lord Jesus reigns over restored Israel in the coming age of glory. But in a broader poetic sense they tell what it is always like when revival fires are burning.
Mercy and truth have met together. In human affairs strict adherence to the claims of truth usually prevent the display of love and mercy. But God can shower His steadfast love on His people because all the claims of truth were fully met by the Lord Jesus on the cross. In the same sense, righteousness and peace have kissed. Believers enjoy peace with God because all the claims of divine justice were met by the substitutionary work of the Savior.
Our sins were placed on Jesus’ head.
’Twas in His blood our debt was paid.
Stern justice can demand no more,
And mercy can dispense her store.
—Albert Midlane[1]
85:10 Lovingkindness … truth … Righteousness … peace. These 4 spiritual qualities characterizing the atmosphere of the future kingdom of Christ, will relate to each other in perfect harmony and will saturate kingdom life (cf. vv. 10, 13).[2]
85:10Loyal love and faithfulness will meet one another The psalmist portrays mutual faithfulness between Yahweh and Israel. God’s chesed (“steadfast love”; see note on 6:4) is His defining characteristic (see Exod 34:6).
righteousness and peace Israel’s unfaithfulness has made it impossible for righteousness and peace to exist together because Yahweh’s righteousness could not tolerate Israel’s waywardness (see Ps 85:8). Israel’s unrighteousness offended God and caused injustice within the nation.[3]
85:10 meet … kiss each other. This verse has long been interpreted to refer to the reconciliation that Jesus Christ effected between God’s justice, that cannot tolerate sin, and His mercy, that does not rejoice in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9). Justice and mercy came together in the cross of Christ. See “God Is Light: Divine Holiness and Justice” at Lev. 11:44.[4]
[1] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 680). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ps 85:10). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[3] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 85:10). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (p. 812). Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries.
