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Advent · The Third Sunday in Advent

Psalm 85

Steadfast Love and Faithfulness Meet

December 14, 2025

Justice Embracing Peace, Artemisia Gentileschi
Justice Embracing Peace, Artemisia Gentileschi, c. 1635–1638Wikimedia Commons
Gentileschi paints the two allegorical figures as real women leaning into each other, with the scales and the olive branch almost incidental.Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.Artemisia GentileschiThe most accomplished woman painter of the Baroque, who won a court case against her rapist under torture and built an international career afterwards.Wikimedia CommonsNo holding institution is recorded with the image; it is known from the public domain reproduction.Wikimedia Commons
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 11:2-10 (11)Mt 11:2-10 (11)
Epistle1 Cor. 4:1-51 Cor 4:1-5
Old TestamentIsa. 40:1-8 (9-11)Is 40:1-8 (9-11)
PsalterPs. 85Ps 85

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

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (Working Preacher)Commentary on Ps 85:1-2, 8-13 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher

Luther Seminary on the prayer for restoration where righteousness and peace meet.

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

David Guzik's notes on the plea for revival and mercy.

Psalm 85:1 CommentariesPs 85:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic parallel commentaries on the psalm.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 85 (Sefaria)Ps 85 (Sefaria) Sefaria

Hebrew and English with Jewish commentary links.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 85 (Catena Bible)Ps 85 (Catena Bible) Catena

Church Fathers' reflections on the psalm.

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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