Ps 85 13 "Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps."
This is the teaching of justification by faith in the OT. This is the last statement in 85 and sums up the entire Psalm. The doctrine of justification by faith comes from Gods covenant of grace that He made with Israel. The picture of justification is Gods relationship to Israel in the fire and cloud. When Israel was led through the desert to the promise land, Gods presence was out in front in the cloud by day and the fire by night. But the presence was also following Gods nation as well. We could say that God had their front and back.
But this picture is described in the context of Gods eternal covenant, So you view this temporal cloud and fire as you are walking on the path to Canaan. In the Psalms this picture of the fire and cloud is described by words that come in twos about Gods covenant communication. So you have His love and faithfulness, righteousness and faithfulness, truth and righteousness..etc. No matter which covenant words are used the entire covenant is describing the government that God is displaying in the fire and cloud. Its more than just Gods faithful communication of His promises but its also God acting in the perfect way to establish his government before his people proceed to the next destination. This is what the Psalmist is describing as God restoring His people along the way so that He secures the safety and health for His covenant people.
We are taught that God has prepared the way for His steps. As He moves He is pleased with His work. Restoration is the ongoing work of God to revive His people so that they please Him. You must understand that there are three people that are involved in this restoration. There are the wicked who receive the displeasure of God. The wicked are under the continual and heavy weight of the curse. The righteous are people that express their desire in this petition. And the third person is God. So you have and opposition that carries the weight that is holding the nation under the spirit of curse. And the elect are trying to break out of their tension that is expressed as freedom of deliverance when the elect curse the curse.
Cursing the curse is described as love and faithfulness meeting together. Righteousness and peace kissing each other. When blessing and cursing meet each other then righteousness is perfect. Its interesting that even tho the land is not displaying the success of Gods kingdom rule yet the steps of God are never withstood by man. This Psalm is written so that the speaking of it creates the kingdom advancement in the mist of the land under the weight of the judgement of God.
These kind of Psalms are written to descend in the judgement as society becomes wicked but to push the judgement down under the righteous curse. So the Psalmist is saying to revive the elect in the mist of the descent. So we can experience restoration in the midst of the worse that the culture can become. The Psalmist is being encouraged by Gods sustaining power answering our natural anger toward the wickedness. And at the same time we are taught to petition God as the wicked are on His leash. So at all times we are able to bring love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace together. We fail to un