King James Version

What Does Psalms 85:10 Mean?

Psalms 85:10 in the King James Version says “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 85 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

Psalms 85:10 · KJV

TruthPeace

Context

8

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

9

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

10

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11

Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12

Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Read Psalms 85 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. This magnificent verse employs poetic personification to describe God's redemptive work—attributes that seem contradictory embrace in harmony. The Hebrew chesed ve-emet nifgashu (חֶסֶד־וֶאֱמֶת נִפְגָּשׁוּ) literally means "lovingkindness and faithfulness have met." Nifgash (נִפְגַּשׁ) suggests encountering, meeting face-to-face—like long-separated friends reuniting.

"Mercy" (chesed, חֶסֶד) and "truth" (emet, אֱמֶת) represent two aspects of God's character that human thinking often perceives as contradictory. Chesed is loyal love, compassion, grace—the inclination to forgive and show favor. Emet is truth, faithfulness, reliability—the commitment to justice and righteous standards. How can God be both merciful (forgiving sin) and truthful (punishing sin)? The verse proclaims they meet and embrace in God's redemptive plan.

"Righteousness and peace have kissed" (tzedeq ve-shalom nashaku, צֶדֶק וְשָׁלוֹם נָשָׁקוּ) intensifies the imagery. Tzedek (צֶדֶק, "righteousness") is ethical uprightness, justice, moral rectitude. Shalom (שָׁלוֹם, "peace") is wholeness, wellbeing, harmonious relationship. These too seem contradictory—perfect righteousness requires judgment on sin; peace requires mercy that overlooks transgression. Yet they "kissed" (nashak, נָשַׁק)—an intimate greeting expressing affection and unity. The verb suggests not mere proximity but passionate embrace.

This verse poses theology's central problem: How can holy God maintain justice while forgiving sinners? How can righteousness coexist with mercy? The Old Testament hints at the answer through sacrificial system—the innocent suffering for the guilty. The New Testament reveals the full answer: at the cross, God's mercy and truth met, His righteousness and peace kissed. Christ satisfied both justice (bearing sin's penalty) and mercy (providing forgiveness). Romans 3:25-26 explains God demonstrated His righteousness by passing over former sins, "that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Problem of Divine Justice and the Cross of Christ

Ancient Near Eastern religions generally portrayed their gods as either just (punishing sin rigorously) or merciful (forgiving easily), but rarely both. The tension between justice and mercy troubled philosophers and theologians throughout history. If God is perfectly just, how can He forgive? Forgiveness seems to compromise justice by letting guilty parties escape deserved punishment. Yet if God is perfectly merciful, why does anyone suffer? Mercy seems to contradict justice by showing favoritism.

Old Testament sacrificial system provided partial resolution. Atonement sacrifices demonstrated that sin required blood payment (Leviticus 17:11), yet God accepted substitutionary death of animals in place of human sinners. This maintained justice (sin was punished) while extending mercy (sinners lived). However, Hebrews 10:4 clarifies: "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." Animal sacrifices were temporary, repetitive, and ultimately inadequate—shadows pointing toward ultimate sacrifice.

Psalm 85:10 prophetically anticipated the cross. There, mercy and truth met: God's love (mercy) sent His Son; God's holiness (truth) demanded sin's punishment. There, righteousness and peace kissed: God's justice (righteousness) was satisfied by Christ bearing sin's penalty; God's reconciliation (peace) was accomplished by removing enmity between God and humanity. Isaiah 53 foretold this: "the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all... he shall bear their iniquities... he bare the sin of many" (v. 6, 11, 12).

Paul's theology centers on this reconciliation. Romans 5:1 declares: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justification (righteousness) produces peace—not despite each other but through each other. God's righteousness demanded payment for sin; Christ provided it. God's mercy desired reconciliation; Christ accomplished it. At the cross, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Divine attributes that seemed contradictory united perfectly in Christ's redemptive work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the cross demonstrate that God's mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, are not contradictory but complementary?
  2. Why is it insufficient to view God as simply forgiving sin without addressing justice, and what problems would this create?
  3. How does Christ's substitutionary atonement satisfy both God's justice (righteousness) and His love (mercy) simultaneously?
  4. In what ways should believers reflect this harmony of mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, in how they treat others?
  5. How does understanding Psalm 85:10's fulfillment at the cross deepen appreciation for the gospel's theological beauty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
חֶֽסֶד1 of 6

“Mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וֶאֱמֶ֥ת2 of 6

“and truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ3 of 6

“are met together”

H6298

to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur

צֶ֖דֶק4 of 6

“righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

וְשָׁל֣וֹם5 of 6

“and peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

נָשָֽׁקוּ׃6 of 6

“have kissed”

H5401

to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 85:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 85:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 3:3Psalms 89:14John 1:17Isaiah 32:16-18Psalms 100:5Psalms 72:3

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Psalms 85 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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