Meaning of Psalms 85:11

This verse from Psalm 85 paints a beautiful and profound picture of divine interaction with humanity, depicting a reciprocal relationship where God's faithfulness and righteousness are met by human faithfulness and the flourishing of good works on earth. The imagery of "faithfulness springs forth from the earth" suggests that human obedience, loyalty, and righteous actions are not spontaneous but rather cultivated and nurtured, like plants growing from the soil. This human response, in turn, is met by "righteousness looks down from heaven," implying that God's own character and justice are actively engaged with and bless the earth in response to human faithfulness. It speaks to a covenantal dynamic where God's grace and human responsibility are intertwined, leading to a blessed and ordered existence.

Context and Background

Psalm 85 is a psalm of thanksgiving and petition, likely composed during or after the Babylonian exile. The people of Israel have experienced God's deliverance from their captivity, and they are now praying for a full restoration of God's favor and presence. The psalm recalls God's past mercies, acknowledges their sinfulness, and anticipates a future renewal and blessing. In this context, verse 11 serves as a declaration of the conditions for this anticipated renewal: a flourishing of faithfulness on earth, met by God's abundant righteousness from above. The exile itself was a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, so their return to God's favor necessitates a renewed commitment to faithfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine-Human Reciprocity: The verse highlights a dynamic relationship between God and humanity. Human actions are not isolated but have a direct impact on God's engagement with them.
• Faithfulness as Cultivated: "Springs forth from the earth" suggests that faithfulness is not an innate, automatic quality but something that must be sown, nurtured, and grown through deliberate choices and actions. It is a fruit of the spirit and a result of diligent practice.
• God's Active Righteousness: "Righteousness looks down from heaven" signifies God's active participation and blessing. His justice and truth are not distant or indifferent but are directed towards and manifested in the world.
• Restoration and Blessing: The verse implies that when humanity is faithful, God responds with His righteousness, leading to a state of blessing, peace, and prosperity, which is the ultimate desire of the psalm.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse calls believers to cultivate a life of active faithfulness. It is a reminder that our obedience, our commitment to God's commands, and our love for our neighbors are not merely passive states but active expressions that have a profound impact on our spiritual well-being and our relationship with God. When we strive for righteousness in our daily lives, we create an environment where God's grace and blessings can flow more freely. Conversely, a lack of faithfulness on our part can hinder the manifestation of God's favor. This verse encourages a proactive spiritual life, where faith is not just believed but lived out.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalm 85:11 resonates deeply with the overarching narrative of the Bible, particularly the concept of the covenant. God's covenants with Israel were conditional on their obedience and faithfulness. The Law given at Sinai, the promises made to David, and the prophecies of a New Covenant all speak to this reciprocal relationship. The New Testament further emphasizes this, with Jesus Christ fulfilling the demands of righteousness and establishing a new covenant where God's Spirit empowers believers to live faithfully. The eschatological vision of a renewed heaven and earth in Revelation also echoes this verse, where God's perfect righteousness will be fully realized, and His people will live in perfect faithfulness.

Analogies

• Gardening: Faithfulness is like planting seeds and tending a garden. The seeds (acts of obedience) are sown in the "earth" of our lives. With consistent care (practice and reliance on God), the plants (faithfulness) grow and flourish. God's righteousness is then like the sun and rain that nourish the growing plants, causing them to bear fruit.
• A Bridge: Human faithfulness is like one side of a bridge being built, and God's righteousness is the other side being built from heaven. When both sides are constructed and meet, a pathway is created for communion and blessing to flow between God and humanity.
• A Responding Echo: Human faithfulness is like a sound sent out into a canyon, and God's righteousness is the echo that returns, amplified and perfect.

Relation to Other Verses

• Deuteronomy 28:1-14: This passage outlines the blessings that will come upon Israel if they obey the Lord their God, directly correlating obedience (faithfulness) with divine favor and prosperity.
• Galatians 5:22-23: The "fruit of the Spirit" includes faithfulness (pistis), suggesting that true faithfulness is not solely human effort but a divine gift that matures within believers.
• Hebrews 12:1-2: This verse speaks of running the race of faith with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the "pioneer and perfecter of faith." This highlights the ongoing nature of faithfulness and the divine source of strength for it.
• 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This demonstrates God's faithfulness responding to human confession and repentance.