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In the restoration of the Church by Jesus Christ, the glorious attributes of the great Jehovah conspire together for the redemption and salvation of sinners. And although the perfections of God, mentioned in the text, may be represented as opposed to each other, yet in the covenant of grace they all agree. Observe the uncommonness of such a meeting: two opposites in two pairs, meeting together. The unanimity of such a meeting; that contraries should shake hands and kiss each other.

I. THAT THE PERFECTIONS OF JEHOVAH DO HARMONIZE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLAIMS CONCERNING THE SALVATION OF THE CHURCH.

1. Mercy pleads for the guilty Church (Psalm 86:15).

2. Truth stands up for God's faithfulness against sin (Genesis 2:17).

3. Righteousness or justice comes and claims execution (1 John 3:4; Romans 12:9).

4. Peace pleads for a mediator (Job 33:24; Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 4:4).

II. THE TIME AND PLACE OF THIS FRIENDLY MEETING.

1. The place of assembly was in Christ (Colossians 1:19; 2 Corinthians 5:19).

(1)  Mercy is vouchsafed to the soul deserving of eternal death, through the mediation of Christ.

(2)  Truth or faithfulness stands engaged for the soul through Him, being upheld by Him, through the atonement.

(3)  Righteousness or justice is satisfied in him, and pleads for an everlasting release.

(4)  Peace flows into the soul of the believer, as proof of the unanimity of the meeting.

2. Some of the various meetings called by these parties.

(1)  At the eternal council-table of covenant love (Ephesians 1:5).

(2)  In the garden of Eden after the fall (Genesis 3:15).

(3)  At Bethlehem at. our Saviour's advent (Luke 2:11):

(4)  On Mount Calvary (Hebrews 12:2),

III. THE MANNER OF THEIR MEETING IN THE SOUL'S SALVATION.

1. A wonderful meeting (1 Timothy 3:16).

2. A joyous meeting (Isaiah 53:10).

3. A holy meeting (Jeremiah 2:2, 8).

4. A happy meeting (Ephesians 1:8).

5. A free meeting (2 Timothy 1:9).

6. An unexpected meeting to us (Romans 11:33).

7. An inseparable meeting (Hebrews 13:8).

IV. THE GLORIOUS PURPOSE FOR WHICH THEY MET.

1. To promote Jehovah's glory (Ephesians 1:6).

2. To disunite some unhappy meetings (Isaiah 28:18).

3. To unite opposite characters (1 Corinthians 17; John 17:21).

4. To unite opposite nations in one body (Ephesians 2:16).

5. To unite opposite covenants of works and grace (Romans 10:4).

6. To bring the Church to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

(T. B. Baker)

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KJV: Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

WEB: Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.