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Epiphany · The Baptism of Our Lord

Psalm 85

Steadfast Love and Faithfulness Meet

January 11, 2026

Christ and the Adulteress, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop
Christ and the Adulteress, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop, ca. 1545–50The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Cranach's son repeats a composition the workshop made many times: the woman held by the wrist, the accusers crowding in, and Christ's hand on her shoulder.Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Psalm 85 wants both at once, and this scene is where they meet.Lucas Cranach the Younger and WorkshopCranach's son, who took over the Wittenberg workshop and continued its Reformation subjects for another generation.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe largest art museum in the Americas, founded in 1870 by a group of New Yorkers who wanted one and had no collection to start from.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 3:13-17Mt 3:13-17
Epistle1 Cor. 1:26-311 Cor 1:26-31
Old TestamentJosh. 3:1-3, 7-8, 13-17Jos 3:1-3, 7-8, 13-17Alt. OTIsa. 42:1-7Is 42:1-7
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

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

David Guzik on the prayer for restoration where steadfast love and faithfulness meet, righteousness and peace kiss.

Psalm 85:1 CommentariesPs 85:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on Lord, you were favorable to your land, you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 85 | SefariaPs 85 | Sefaria Sefaria

Hebrew text with translation and Jewish commentary for this psalm of the sons of Korah.

Psalm 85:1 InterlinearPs 85:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word-by-word interlinear with parsing for the opening remembrance of God's favor to the land.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 85 - Catena Bible & CommentariesPs 85 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the meeting of mercy and truth and the kiss of righteousness and peace.

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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