Psalm 85

Mercy and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Jűrgen Moltmann, a German Theologian, reminds us that there are two Latin words for the future – futurum and adventus.  He describes futurum as a future that we project, based on trends and extrapolations.  He calls it the future of social calculation.

He describes adventus as a future that comes toward us from beyond, infinitely open to possibility. He calls it the future of ethical anticipation.  We engage adventus by asking ourselves what we would like the future to be, then acting in a way that tries to make it so.  In this Psalm we listen to someone sing of the future as adventus.

“Restore us then, O God our Saviour … Will you be displeased with us for ever?... Will you not give us life again?” It is obvious that Israel is in trouble.  If God were not angry, things would be otherwise. For most people in the Western world today, it is no longer possible to link the state of the world with the anger of God.  For the psalmist this was a given.

Something must be said or done to lift the hearts of the people. The psalmist attempts to trigger memories of good times.  In the past “you have been gracious to your land, O Lord, you have restored the good fortune of Jacob [meaning all of us as a people]. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people… You have withdrawn all your fury.”

The wish to have good times again kindles the determination to act in a way that will bring them back. The Psalmist feeds a suggestion to the listening minds. “I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people.”

Having recalled good memories of what was and could be again, the Psalmist now takes his listeners into the future.  He emphasizes how readily available the grace of God is. “Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him.” It is within their grasp to begin the process of change that will bring what everyone wishes.

In a magnificent image the psalmist brings to mind a land reconciled and happy. “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace and kissed each other.” The blessing of God will issue in a bright future assuring “prosperity” and “increase,” and again “righteousness” and “peace.”

In a complex and even dangerous present, we need to follow the example of the Psalmist.  In a world torn by human strife, we need to maintain our hope in the possibility of a future where “righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”



Adapted from Herbert O’Driscoll

“The Psalms for Our Living –

Finer Than Gold Sweeter Than Honey”