Psalms 85:11

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 85:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
Psalms 85:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 85

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Truth shall spring out of the earth, etc.] Either the Gospel, the word of truth, which sprung up at once in the land of Judea, as if it came out of the earth; and from Zion and Jerusalem it came forth into the Gentile world: or else the truth of grace God desires in the inward parts, and which springs up in such who are like cultivated earth, or good ground, being made so by the Spirit and grace of God, particularly the grace of “faith”; by which some render the word f1223 here, which springs up in the heart, and, with it, man believes to righteousness: or rather Christ himself, “who is the way, the truth, and the life”; who, though he is the Lord from heaven, yet may be said, with respect…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Truth shall spring out of the earth - As plants do - for this is the meaning of the word. The blessings of truth and righteousness would be like the grass, the shrubs, the flowers, which spring up from the ground - and like the, rain and the sunbeams which come from heaven. Truth would spring up everywhere, and abound in all lands, as plants, and shrubs, and grass spring up all over the earth. There is not an intended contrast between the two clauses of this verse, as if truth came from the earth, and righteousness from heaven; but the idea is that they would come in a manner that might be compared with the way in which God’s other abundant blessings are bestowed, as springing, on the one…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Truth - Truth among men. Righteousness - And God's justice shall be satisfied: he shall look down upon sinful men with a smiling countenance. Psalms 85:13”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Truth: Isa 4:2, Isa 45:8, Isa 53:2; Joh 14:6; Jo1 5:20, Jo1 5:21 righteousness: Isa 42:21; Mat 3:17, Mat 17:5; Luk 2:14; Co2 5:21; Eph 1:6 Psalms 85:12”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The poet pursues this charming picture of the future further. After God's אמת, i.e., faithfulness to the promises, has descended like dew, אמת, i.e., faithfulness to the covenant, springs up out of the land, the fruit of that fertilizing influence. And צדקה, gracious justice, looks down from heaven, smiling favour and dispensing blessing. גּם in Psa 85:13 places these two prospects in reciprocal relation to one another (cf. Psa 84:7); it is found once instead of twice. Jahve gives הטּוב, everything that is only and always good and that imparts true happiness, and the land, corresponding to it, yields יבוּלהּ, the increase which might be expected from a land so richly blessed (cf. Psa 67:7…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification