Joshua 22:21-23:16 / Luke 20:27-47 / Psalm 89:14-37 / Proverbs 13:17-19
As an artist, musician, and writer, my attention is grabbed by descriptive language, causing me to see in my mind the picture the writer is describing. So, I was drawn by a verse in my reading today for its descriptive and visual value.
Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
The descriptive language in Psalm 89 is a beautiful picture! I’m not sure what the artist in me might render, but there’s a sense of grace, beauty, and dignity in the language. And much like Pilgrim of Pilgrim’s Progress may have encountered, I’m imagining what Righteousness, Justice, Unfailing Love and Truth must look like when personified. I bet they are stunning! Especially seeing as they are both foundational to and walk before God’s throne.
Let’s look at the 4 definitions, so we can begin a character sketch for our 4 “personalities” in this verse. And yes, they are personalities. I’ve read and watched The Chronicles or Narnia enough to know these things!
Righteousness = sedeq, a masculine noun that refers to a Davidic King, or the Messiah
Justice = mispat, a masculine noun that refers to the seat of Judgment
Unfailing Love (mercy) = hesed, a masculine noun that refers to goodness, kindness, and faithfulness
Truth = emet, a feminine noun, that refers to true doctrine (among others)
All the above words have more than one word to define them, but I chose the words that I could try to personify the best. Now I’m imagining God’s throne with two masculine figures – one representing the Messiah and the other the seat of Judgment – as the foundation upon which it sits. Of course, God is seated on that throne. And as God approaches His throne, He is led there by His mercy (a man that represents kindness) and truth (a woman who represents the Word).
I’m not amending biblical doctrine; I’m simply attempting to describe what I see as I read.
It was Messiah that brought righteousness or right standing with God. It is the Judgment seat of Christ that will bring ultimate justice for the things done while we’re on earth (seen through the filter of the Son).
Mercy and Truth walk hand in hand to remind us of God’s perfect character, which is neither male nor female, neither judgment alone nor dismissive of sin. As Mercy and Truth walk hand in hand, they are smiling at what’s to come. Do you see it?
