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Advent Season · Second Sunday of Advent · Year B

Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)

Steadfast Love and Faithfulness Meet

December 6, 2026

Justice and Peace Embracing, Antonio Balestra
Justice and Peace Embracing, Antonio Balestra, c. 1700Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
A crowned woman holding a bundle of rods bends to embrace a younger one who carries an olive branch, while a small winged child clings to them both.Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.Antonio BalestraA painter from Verona who trained in Venice, Bologna and Rome and became the leading history painter of his home city.Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, GlasgowKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, the city’s great free museum.Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Roman Lectionary
GospelMark 1:1-8Mk 1:1-8
Second Reading2 Pet. 3:8-142 Pt 3:8-14
First ReadingIsa. 40:1-5, 9-11Is 40:1-5, 9-11
Responsorial PsalmPs. 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)

Overview & Insights

“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” (Psalm 85:10)

This psalm reflects the tension of living between promise and fulfillment. When the people of God had experienced the beginnings of his grace in the return from exile (vv. 1–3), they still suffered hardships in the early postexilic period (vv. 4–7). At the same time, they were still hearing future blessings promised to them (vv. 8–13). It reflects the tension of having been forgiven and still being in need of forgiveness. This psalm also shows us that OT worship consisted of more than a mere monologue; Yahweh was expected to answer. The first half consists of prayer addressed to him (vv. 1–7) and the second half of an anticipation of his answer (vv. 8–13). The enveloping concern of the psalm is that of the land and its harvest (vv. 1, 12).

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Take it further: Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 (8)

Commentary

Psalm 85:1-3, 8-13 CommentaryPs 85:1-3, 8-13 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed reflection on steadfast love and faithfulness meeting, righteousness and peace kissing.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 85Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ps 85 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the prayer for revival and the promise of God's salvation.

BibleHub Commentaries on Psalm 85BibleHub Commentaries on Ps 85 BibleHub

Classic commentators on the meeting of mercy and truth in this psalm of restoration.

Background & Word Study

Sefaria: Psalms 85 (Hebrew and English)Sefaria: Ps 85 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

Hebrew text with Jewish translations for study of hesed and shalom in the psalm.

The Church Fathers

Catena Bible: Church Fathers on Psalm 85Catena Bible: Church Fathers on Ps 85 Catena

Patristic comment gathered verse by verse for Psalm 85.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Psalm 85 an Advent psalm?

It prays for God to restore his people and revive them again, waiting for the salvation that is near, where his love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace, meet as one.

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