Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 85:13

"Righteousness shall go before him, And shall make his footsteps a way [to walk in]." — Psalms 85:13 (ASV)

Righteousness shall ... —Better, Righteousness shall walk in front of Him, and follow in His steps.

Nothing is more instructive than the blending in Psalm 85:12-13 of material and moral blessings. They do go together, as experience, especially national, testifies. In the same spirit is Wordsworth’s well-known Ode to Duty:

“Stern Law-giver! Yet you wear
The Godhead’s most benignant grace,
Nor do we know anything so fair
As is the smile upon your face.
Flowers laugh before you on their beds,
And fragrance in your footing treads:
You preserve the stars from wrong,
And the most ancient heavens through You are
fresh and strong.”