Psalms 85:13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Original Language Analysis
צֶ֭דֶק
Righteousness
H6664
צֶ֭דֶק
Righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
1 of 6
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
לְפָנָ֣יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֣יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהַלֵּ֑ךְ
shall go
H1980
יְהַלֵּ֑ךְ
shall go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
3 of 6
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְיָשֵׂ֖ם
him and shall set
H7760
וְיָשֵׂ֖ם
him and shall set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 6
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Psalms 89:14Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.Isaiah 58:8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.1 John 2:6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.1 Peter 4:1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;Psalms 119:35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Historical Context
Written after return from Babylonian exile, Psalm 85 reflects both gratitude for restoration and longing for complete renewal. The community had rebuilt the temple but still faced opposition, poverty, and spiritual apathy. They needed God's righteousness to lead them forward.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's righteousness "going before" you provide security and direction for your path?
- In what ways do you need God's righteous character to prepare the way in current circumstances?
- How does this verse connect personal holiness with following in God's footsteps?
Analysis & Commentary
Righteousness shall go before him (צֶדֶק לְפָנָיו יְהַלֵּךְ, tzedek lefanav yehalekh)—Tzedek means righteousness, justice; lefanav means before his face; halakh means walk, go. And shall set us in the way of his steps (וְיָשֵׂם לְדֶרֶךְ פְּעָמָיו, ve-yasem le-derekh pe'amav)—Yasem means set, place; derekh means way, path; pe'amav means his steps, footsteps.
Psalm 85 prays for restoration after exile. Verses 10-11 picture cosmic reconciliation: "Mercy and truth meet together; righteousness and peace kiss." Verse 13 continues this vision—God's righteousness doesn't just accompany him but goes before him, preparing the way. This anticipates John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus (Mark 1:2-3). God's righteous character shapes the path his people walk.