◄ Psalm 85:11 ►
Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
Study Bible
Faithfulness sprouts from the earth
This phrase suggests a divine interaction where human faithfulness emerges as a response to God's grace. The imagery of "sprouting" evokes agricultural growth, symbolizing new life and renewal. In biblical context, the earth often represents humanity or the physical realm. This can be seen in Genesis 2:7, where God forms man from the dust of the ground. The idea of faithfulness emerging from the earth may also reflect the covenant relationship between God and His people, where human faithfulness is a response to divine faithfulness. The agricultural metaphor aligns with passages like Hosea 10:12, which calls for sowing righteousness and reaping steadfast love. This phrase can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate expression of faithfulness and truth, as He came to earth to fulfill God's promises.

and righteousness looks down from heaven
This part of the verse portrays righteousness as a divine attribute that originates from God. The imagery of "looking down" suggests oversight, care, and the bestowal of blessings from above. In the biblical narrative, heaven is often depicted as God's dwelling place, where His will and righteousness are perfectly established. This aligns with passages like Isaiah 45:8, which speaks of righteousness pouring down from the skies. The connection between heaven and earth in this verse reflects the biblical theme of God's kingdom coming to earth, as seen in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10). Righteousness looking down can also be seen as a prophetic anticipation of Christ, who embodies divine righteousness and brings it to humanity. This dual imagery of faithfulness and righteousness highlights the harmonious relationship between God's actions and human response, emphasizing the covenantal theme throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Sons of Korah
The authors of Psalm 85, a group of Levitical singers and musicians who played a significant role in temple worship.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the Psalm is addressed, reflecting on their relationship with God and their longing for restoration.

3. Heaven and Earth
Symbolic places representing the divine (heaven) and the human or earthly realm (earth), highlighting the interaction between God and His creation.
Teaching Points
The Harmony of Truth and Righteousness
Truth and righteousness are depicted as working in harmony, with truth emerging from the earth and righteousness descending from heaven. This illustrates the divine partnership between God and humanity in the pursuit of holiness.

The Role of Believers in Manifesting Truth
As truth sprouts from the earth, believers are called to be vessels of truth in the world. This involves living out the truth of the Gospel in daily life and being a witness to others.

God's Sovereign Righteousness
Righteousness looking down from heaven signifies God's sovereign oversight and His desire to impart righteousness to His people. Believers can trust in God's righteous judgment and His provision of righteousness through Christ.

The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus Christ embodies the fulfillment of this verse, as He is the truth that came to earth and the righteousness that comes from God. Believers find their ultimate hope and restoration in Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of truth sprouting from the earth and righteousness looking down from heaven enhance your understanding of God's interaction with the world?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in allowing truth to "sprout" in your own life and community?

3. How does the concept of righteousness looking down from heaven provide comfort and assurance in your spiritual journey?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the harmony of truth and righteousness in your life. How did it impact your relationship with God and others?

5. How can the fulfillment of this verse in Jesus Christ inspire you to live out your faith more boldly and authentically?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 2:7
The creation of man from the earth, connecting the idea of truth sprouting from the earth to God's original creation.

Isaiah 45:8
A call for righteousness to rain down from heaven, paralleling the imagery of righteousness looking down from heaven in Psalm 85:11.

John 1:14
The Word becoming flesh, illustrating the ultimate truth sprouting from the earth in the person of Jesus Christ.

James 3:18
The fruit of righteousness sown in peace, connecting the themes of truth and righteousness in the believer's life.
Sermons
God and Man Working TogetherR. Tuck Psalm 85:11
God's Purpose Concerning the WorldJohn Stoughton.Psalm 85:11
The Moral Prosperity of Earth the Joy of HeavenHomilistPsalm 85:11
A Psalm of Deliverance; Songs and SighsA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 85:1-13
Genuine PietyHomilistPsalm 85:1-13
Temporal Mercies of Little Avail Without Such as are SpiritualS. Conway Psalm 85:1-13
The Responsibility of Favoured NationsF. H. Darlow.Psalm 85:1-13
A Blessed CoalitionHomilistPsalm 85:10-13
Divine Perfections United to Save SinnersPsalm 85:10-13
Mercy and Truth Meeting TogetherJ. F. Clarke.Psalm 85:10-13
Rigorousness and Clemency in God's Procedure with ManHomilistPsalm 85:10-13
The Bridal of the Earth and SkyA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 85:10-13
The Tenderness of God's RuleA. Mackennal, D. D.Psalm 85:10-13
True Peace is Inseparable from RighteousnessJohn Ruskin.Psalm 85:10-13
People
Jacob, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Faith, Faithfulness, Forth, Ground, Heaven, Heavens, Looks, Plant, Righteousness, Sky, Spring, Springeth, Springs, Truth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 85:11

     4203   earth, the

Psalm 85:8-13

     4824   famine, spiritual

Library
'The Bridal of the Earth and Sky'
'Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13. Righteousness shall go before Him, and shall set us in the way of His steps.'--PSALM lxxxv. 10-13. This is a lovely and highly imaginative picture of the reconciliation and reunion of God and man, 'the bridal of the earth and sky.' The Poet-Psalmist, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
"Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. IN THESE two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable, and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered, to his surprise and dismay, that he was naked, and he set about at once to make himself a covering. It was a poor attempt which our first parents made, and it proved a miserable failure. "They sewed fig-leaves together." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

The Coming Revival
"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. lxxxv. 6. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. iii. 2. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. cxxxviii. 7. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. lvii. 15. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. He will revive us."--HOS. vi. 1, 2. The Coming …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul I Will Hearken what the Lord God Shall Say Within Me. (1) Blessed is the Soul Which
CHAPTER I Of the inward voice of Christ to the faithful soul I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me.(1) Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

When a Revival is to be Expected.
Text.--Wilt thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee?--Psalm lxxxv. 6. THIS Psalm seems to have been written soon after the return of the people of Israel from the Babylonish captivity; as you will easily see from the language at the commencement of it. The Psalmist felt that God had been very favorable to the people, and while contemplating the goodness of the Lord in bringing them back from the land where they had been carried away captive, and while looking at the prospects …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
We have spoken of the meaning of this term, inquired into the nature of the change, and noted its essential elements. We have also learned that there are some who do not need it because they are in a converted state, and that all who are not in such a state of Grace, do need conversion, regardless of anything that may or may not have taken place in the past. We inquire now as to the agencies or means by which this change is brought about. For it is a change which man can certainly not effect by his …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

This Conflict None Experience in Themselves, Save Such as War on the Side Of...
7. This conflict none experience in themselves, save such as war on the side of the virtues, and war down the vices: nor doth any thing storm the evil of lust, save the good of Continence. But there are, who, being utterly ignorant of the law of God, account not evil lusts among their enemies, and through wretched blindness being slaves to them, over and above think themselves also blessed, by satisfying them rather than taming them. But whoso through the Law have come to know them, ("For through …
St. Augustine—On Continence

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Angel's Message and Song
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD . And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

"And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,",
1 John ii. 1.--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,", &c. It is the natural office of the conscience to accuse a man in evil doing. As every man by sin is liable to the judgment of the supreme court of heaven, so he is likewise subject to the inferior court of his own conscience, for the most high God hath a deputy within every man's breast, that not only is a witness, but a judge, to fasten an accusation, and pronounce a sentence upon him according to the law of God. And while …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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