In the meeting of love and faithfulness,
Righteousness and peace embrace,
God’s attributes in perfect harmony,
A reflection of His grace.
His nature, balanced and divine,
Calls us to reflect these ways,
To live righteously, seek His guidance,
And follow Him all our days.
Faithfulness and righteousness,
Ever-present, ever true,
Virtues we must cultivate,
In everything we do.
God provides what is good,
Our land yields its harvest in time,
Trust in His provision, be grateful,
For His blessings so sublime.
Let us walk the path He sets,
With hearts full of love and grace,
Living lives that honor Him,
In every moment, every place.
REFLECTION:
I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for He proclaims peace. (Psalm 85:9)
The meeting of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace illustrates how God’s attributes work together harmoniously. God’s nature is perfectly balanced and that we should strive to reflect these qualities in our lives.
Living righteously paves the way for God’s guidance in our lives. When we follow His righteous ways, we are on the right path. His faithfulness and righteousness are ever-present and that we should cultivate these virtues. God will provide what is good and that our land will yield its harvest.
Let us trust in God’s provision and to be grateful for His blessings.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You in awe of Your perfect nature, where love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace meet in harmony. Help us to reflect these divine qualities in our lives, striving to live righteously and seeking Your guidance in all we do.
Lord, we acknowledge that Your faithfulness and righteousness are ever-present. Teach us to cultivate these virtues within ourselves, so that we may walk the path You have set before us.
We trust in Your provision, knowing that You will provide what is good and that our land will yield its harvest in due season. Fill our hearts with gratitude for Your blessings, and help us to always be thankful for Your abundant grace.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Pericope:
Third Book of Psalms 73-89
PRAYER FOR DIVINE FAVOR
Psalm 85:1-14
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
9 I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord—for he proclaims peace. 10 Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 11 Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 12 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 13 The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 14 Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. (R)
Background:
Psalm 85 is a prayer for revival and restoration, attributed to the sons of Korah, who were Levites involved in temple worship. The psalm is often thought to have been written after the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity, reflecting their hope for God’s continued favor and restoration.
Verses 9-10 These verses highlight the anticipation of God’s salvation and the meeting of His attributes: Verse 9: “Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.” Verse 10: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” This poetic imagery emphasizes the harmony of God’s attributes—His love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace—coming together to bring about salvation and glory in the land.
Verses 11-12 These verses describe the blessings that follow God’s favor: Verse 11: “Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.” Verse 12: “The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.” Here, the psalmist envisions a time when God’s faithfulness and righteousness will be evident in both heaven and earth, resulting in abundant blessings and prosperity.
Verses 13-14 These final verses express confidence in God’s ongoing guidance and righteousness: Verse 13: “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Verse 14: “Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” The psalmist concludes with a vision of God’s righteousness leading the way, ensuring that His people walk in His paths and experience His blessings.
This psalm beautifully captures the hope and trust in God’s ability to restore and bless His people, reflecting themes of faith, repentance, and divine compassion.
Learning Lessons:
Psalm 85:9-14 offers several profound lessons that can be applied to our faith journey:
Verses 9-10
Anticipation of Salvation: These verses remind us to live in expectation of God’s salvation, which is near to those who fear Him. This encourages us to maintain a reverent and respectful relationship with God.
Harmony of God’s Attributes: The meeting of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace illustrates how God’s attributes work together harmoniously. This teaches us that God’s nature is perfectly balanced and that we should strive to reflect these qualities in our lives.
Verses 11-12
Faithfulness and Righteousness: The imagery of faithfulness springing from the earth and righteousness looking down from heaven signifies a divine connection between heaven and earth. It reminds us that God’s faithfulness and righteousness are ever-present and that we should cultivate these virtues.
Blessings and Prosperity: These verses assure us that God will provide what is good and that our land will yield its harvest. This encourages us to trust in God’s provision and to be grateful for His blessings.
Verses 13-14
Guidance of Righteousness: The psalmist’s vision of righteousness going before God and preparing the way for His steps teaches us that living righteously paves the way for God’s guidance in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of walking in God’s paths.
Confidence in God’s Leadership: The repetition of righteousness leading the way reinforces our confidence in God’s leadership. It assures us that when we follow His righteous ways, we are on the right path.
Personal Reflection
These verses collectively encourage us to:
Live in reverence and expectation of God’s salvation.
Reflect God’s balanced attributes of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace.
Trust in God’s provision and be grateful for His blessings.
Seek and follow God’s righteous guidance in our daily lives.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
