Bible Strands
Psalms 85:13
Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God following a plea for national restoration, anticipating the land's coming bounty. The words — צֶ֭דֶק (Tzedek) means righteousness, and פְּעָמָֽי/ו (pe'amav) translates to his footsteps. The thread — The passage connects moral order to divine movement, paralleling Psalms 89:14 where righteousness anchors God's throne while loving devotion and faithfulness precede Him. It also points to the ethical standard Jesus commands in John 13:34 and embodies in 1 John 2:6. Why it lands — It demands that readers allow moral integrity to dictate their actions, ensuring conduct aligns with God's character rather than personal convenience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.
Cross-references
- Psalms 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.
- John 13:34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
- 1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.
- Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
- 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
- 1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
- Psalms 119:35 Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
- Matthew 20:27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—