Psalm 85:10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 85:8-13

We have here an answer to the prayers and expostulations in the Ps. 85:1-7. I. In general, it is an answer of peace. This the psalmist is soon aware of (Ps. 85:8), for he stands upon his watch-tower to hear what God will say unto him, as the prophet, Hab. 2:1, 2. I will hear what God the Lord will speak. This intimates, 1. The stilling of his passions?his grief, his fear?and the tumult of his spirit which they occasioned: ?Compose thyself, O my soul! in a humble silence to attend upon God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together ,.... Or "grace and truth" F16 חסד ואמת "gratia et veritas", Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. , which are in Christ, and come by him; and so may be said to meet in him, the glorious Person, the Author of salvation, before mentioned, John 1:14 , these may be considered as perfections in God, displayed in salvation by Christ: "mercy" is the original of it; it is owing to that that the dayspring from on high visited us, or glory dwelt in our land, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together - It would be more simple to translate the original: - נפגשונ ואמת חסד נשקו ושלום צדק Chesed veemeth niphgashu ; Tsedek veshalom nashaku , - " Mercy and truth have met on the way Righteousness and peace have embraced." This is a remarkable text, and much has been said on it: but there is a beauty in it which, I think, has not been noticed. Mercy and peace are on one side; truth and righteousness on the other. Truth requires... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 85:10

Verse 10 10.Mercy and truth shall meet together. Here the verbs are in the past tense; but it is evident from the scope of the passage, that they should be translated into the future. I cordially embrace the opinion which is held by many, that we have here a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ. There is no doubt, that the faithful lifted up their eyes to Him, when their faith had need of encouragement and support in reference to the restoration of the Church; and especially after their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 85:1-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 85:1-13

Temporal mercies of little avail without such as are spiritual. There had been great outward mercies (see Psalms 85:1-3 ). Probably the wonderful deliverance of Judah, Jerusalem, and Hezekiah from the threatened might of Assyria was the occasion of this burst of thanksgiving. But the psalmist—it may have been Isaiah himself—whilst grateful, indeed, for God's deliverance, as he well might be, was nevertheless sore distressed at the spiritual condition of his countrymen (see Isaiah's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 85:8-13

The joyful anticipation. The psalmist anticipates a favourable answer to his prayer, and proceeds to note down the chief points of it. God will "speak peace to his people" ( Psalms 85:8 ), bring his salvation near to them ( Psalms 85:9 ), contrive a way by which "mercy and truth," "righteousness and peace," shall be reconciled ( Psalms 85:10 , Psalms 85:11 ), shower blessings on his land ( Psalms 85:12 ), and guide his people in the way marked out by his own footsteps ( Psalms 85:13... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together. God's mercy and God's truth are reconciled and brought into harmony. The psalmist does not say—probably does not know—how, He accepts the fact of the reconciliation, which is revealed to him ( Psalms 85:8 ) by faith, and boldly announces it. The explanation was reserved for the coming and teaching of Christ. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. "Righteousness" and "peace" are synonymous with "mercy" and "truth." Here they are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 85:10

Our foes become our friends. It is difficult, indeed impossible, to say what was the actual thought of the writer when he penned the words of our text; for they are true in several ways. He represents mercy and truth as going in different directions, and with opposite intent, but they meet, and are brought into harmony as though at variance before. And it is the same with righteousness and peace; there seemed no common course of action open to them; they must be opposed; but, lo! they... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together - That is, in the divine dealings referred to in the psalm. There has been a blending of mercy and truth in those dealings; or, both have been manifested; truth, in the divine statements, threatenings, and promises; and mercy, in forgiving sin, and in sparing the people. There is no necessary contradiction between truth and mercy; that is, the one does not necessarily conflict with the other, though the one seems to conflict with the other when punishment is... read more

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