King James Version

What Does Psalms 85:11 Mean?

Psalms 85:11 in the King James Version says “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 85 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 85:11 · KJV

Truth

Context

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.

13

Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Read Psalms 85 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. This verse continues the poetic description of God's salvation, depicting truth and righteousness connecting earth and heaven. The imagery "truth shall spring out of the earth" (emet me-eretz titzmach, אֱמֶת מֵאֶרֶץ תִּצְמָח) uses agricultural metaphor. Tzamach (צָמַח) means "to sprout, grow, spring up"—like seeds germinating and pushing through soil. Truth isn't imposed from outside but grows organically from the earth.

This imagery may suggest several things: (1) God's truth becomes incarnate, taking earthly form. (2) Truth produces tangible, visible results in human experience. (3) God's redemptive work transforms earth itself, making it produce truth rather than thorns (Genesis 3:18). The earth, cursed through sin, now becomes source of blessing—truth growing where deception once reigned.

"Righteousness shall look down from heaven" (vetzedeq mishamayim nishqaph, וְצֶדֶק מִשָּׁמַיִם נִשְׁקָף) completes the vertical connection. Shaqaph (שָׁקַף) means "to look down, to gaze upon"—often describing God looking from heaven to earth (Genesis 18:16, Psalm 14:2, 102:19). Righteousness, which resides in heaven with God, gazes down upon earth with interest and intention. Heaven and earth, separated by sin, reconnect through God's salvation. Truth rises from earth; righteousness descends from heaven. They meet in the middle—in history, in human experience, in Christ.

This vertical connection reverses Babel's confusion (Genesis 11), where humanity tried building tower to reach heaven but achieved only division. Here, God initiates reunion—sending righteousness down while causing truth to grow up. Heaven and earth, Creator and creation, divine and human, reconcile through God's redemptive intervention.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Incarnation: Heaven Meeting Earth

Psalm 85:11's imagery found ultimate fulfillment in Christ's incarnation. John 1:14 declares: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Jesus is emet (truth) springing from earth—born of Mary, growing in Nazareth, living fully human life. Yet He is simultaneously righteousness from heaven—"the Lord our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6), God incarnate (John 1:1).

Jesus claimed: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Truth isn't merely concept He taught but Person He is. When truth "springs from earth," it means God's eternal truth takes concrete form in space-time history through Christ. When righteousness "looks down from heaven," it means God's perfect righteousness enters human experience through the incarnate Son. In Christ, heaven and earth kiss—divine and human natures unite in one Person.

The early church understood this vertical connection through Christ. Paul wrote that God "made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ descended from heaven, took on human flesh (truth springing from earth), bore sin's penalty, and ascended back to heaven—establishing permanent connection between heaven and earth. Through Him, "we have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).

Eschatologically, Revelation describes this complete: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them" (Revelation 21:3). The new Jerusalem descends from heaven to earth (Revelation 21:2)—heaven's righteousness permanently dwelling on renewed earth. Psalm 85:11's poetic vision becomes eternal reality: truth fills the earth, righteousness reigns from heaven, and God dwells with humanity forever.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that truth "springs from the earth" rather than being imposed from outside, and how did Christ fulfill this?
  2. How does righteousness "looking down from heaven" suggest both God's watchful care and His intention to intervene in earthly affairs?
  3. In what ways did Jesus embody both truth springing from earth (incarnation) and righteousness from heaven (divine nature)?
  4. How does this verse reverse the curse of Genesis 3 (thorns from earth) and the judgment of Genesis 11 (Babel's confusion)?
  5. What will it look like when truth fully covers the earth and righteousness completely reigns, as prophesied in Revelation 21-22?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
אֱ֭מֶת1 of 6

“Truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

מֵאֶ֣רֶץ2 of 6

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תִּצְמָ֑ח3 of 6

“shall spring out”

H6779

to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

וְ֝צֶ֗דֶק4 of 6

“and righteousness”

H6664

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

מִשָּׁמַ֥יִם5 of 6

“from heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

נִשְׁקָֽף׃6 of 6

“shall look down”

H8259

properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)

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 85:11 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 85:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 45:8John 14:61 John 5:20-21Isaiah 42:21Matthew 17:5Matthew 3:17

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