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Commentary on Psalms 119 verses 137–138
Here is, 1. The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in every thing acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it. 2. The righteousness of his government. He rules the world by his providence, according to the principles of justice, and never did, nor ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures: Upright are thy judgments, the promises and threatenings and the executions of both. Every word of God is pure, and he will be true to it; he perfectly knows the merits of every cause and will judge accordingly. 3. The righteousness of his commands, which he has given to be the rule of our obedience: "Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded, which are backed with thy sovereign authority, and to which thou dost require our obedience, are exceedingly righteous and faithful, righteousness and faithfulness itself." As he acts like himself, so his law requires that we act like ourselves and like him, that we be just to ourselves and to all we deal with, true to all the engagements we lay ourselves under both to God and man. That which we are commanded to practise is righteous; that which we are commanded to believe is faithful. It is necessary to our faith and obedience that we be convinced of this.
For this is the divine promise: “The Lord shall fight for you.” Henceforth, although afflictions and trials from without overtake them, yet, being fashioned after the apostolic words and “being steadfast in tribulations and persevering in prayers” and in meditation on the law, they stand against those things that befall them, are well-pleasing to God and give utterance to the words that are written, “Afflictions and distresses are come on me, but your commandments are my meditation.”
Thus, then, as if giving a reason why he had cause to weep much, and to mourn deeply for his sin, he says, "Righteous are You, O Lord, and true is Your judgment" [Psalm 119:137]. "You have commanded Your testimonies, righteousness, and Your truth exceedingly" [Psalm 119:138]. This righteousness of God and righteous judgment and truth, is to be feared by every sinner: for thereby all who are condemned are condemned of God; nor is there one who can righteously complain against the righteous God of his own damnation. Therefore the tears of the penitent are needful; since if his impenitent heart were condemned, he would be most justly condemned. He indeed calls the testimonies of God righteousness: for He proves himself righteous by giving righteous commandments. And this is truth also, that God may become known by such testimonies.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:137 is a profound and worshipful declaration of God's inherent moral perfection and the unblemished rectitude of His divine decrees. As a pivotal verse within the "TZADDI" section of the longest psalm, it asserts that the Lord is intrinsically righteous in His very being and that all His judgments, ordinances, and ways are perfectly just, equitable, and true, thereby providing a steadfast and unshakeable foundation for trust, worship, and obedient living in His sovereign character.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The psalmist skillfully employs several literary devices to convey his profound theological declaration with both clarity and spiritual impact. The most prominent is Direct Address to God ("O LORD"), which imbues the verse with a deeply personal, intimate, and worshipful tone, transforming it from a mere statement of fact into an act of adoration and submission. The structure also features a clear instance of Parallelism between the two clauses: "Righteous art thou, O LORD" and "upright are thy judgments." While not strict synonymous parallelism, it presents two complementary truths that reinforce each other: God's character (righteous) and His actions (upright judgments). This structural symmetry emphasizes the inseparable link between who God is and what He does, highlighting the consistency of His nature and His decrees. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful Affirmation or declaration, serving not only to state a truth about God but also to confirm the psalmist's unwavering belief in God's moral perfection, providing a bedrock of faith in a world often marked by perceived injustice and moral ambiguity.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:137 stands as a foundational declaration of God's immutable character, asserting His absolute righteousness and the unerring rectitude of His divine judgments. This truth is not merely an abstract theological concept but a cornerstone for understanding God's nature, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and the absolute reliability of His revealed will. It assures believers that even when His ways are inscrutable or His purposes seem delayed, they are always just and good, flowing from a being who is inherently perfect and incapable of injustice. This verse grounds our trust in God's sovereignty, reminding us that His governance of the world, His providential care, and His dealings with humanity are always consistent with His holy and righteous nature. It echoes the consistent biblical portrayal of God as the ultimate standard of justice and truth, providing an unshakeable anchor for faith in a world often characterized by moral ambiguity, corruption, and injustice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marred by injustice, corruption, and moral compromise, Psalms 119:137 offers profound spiritual assurance and a compelling call to faithful living. The declaration that God is "righteous" in His very being and that His "judgments" are "upright" provides an unshakeable foundation for our faith and a secure anchor for our souls. It encourages us to trust God's character implicitly, even when circumstances seem chaotic, His ways are beyond our immediate comprehension, or His timing differs from our expectations. This verse reminds us that God's moral compass is perfect and His decisions are always just, even if we cannot immediately perceive their righteousness or understand their purpose. Therefore, we are called not only to acknowledge this truth intellectually but to embody it practically in our daily lives. Embracing God's Word, His "judgments," means submitting to His perfect will, knowing that His commands are for our ultimate good and reflect His holy nature. Furthermore, as those who bear God's image and are called to reflect His character, we are challenged to strive for integrity, justice, and moral uprightness in all our interactions, decisions, and societal engagement, becoming agents of His righteousness in a fallen world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is it important to affirm that God is "righteous" and His "judgments" are "upright"?
Answer: Affirming God's righteousness and the uprightness of His judgments is foundational for several critical reasons. Firstly, it establishes God as the ultimate, unchanging moral standard, providing an objective basis for truth, justice, and morality in a world prone to relativism and subjective ethics. Without a perfectly righteous God, there is no absolute right or wrong, only shifting human opinions. Secondly, it builds unwavering trust in His character and actions. If God Himself is righteous, then all His decrees, laws, and decisions—His "judgments"—are inherently just, good, and perfectly aligned with His holy nature, even when they are difficult to understand or accept. This assurance allows believers to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that His plans are always perfect and His ways are beyond reproach. It underpins the reliability and authority of His Word, as seen throughout Psalm 119, which celebrates the perfection of His law. Finally, it provides profound hope for ultimate justice, assuring us that in the end, all things will be set right according to His perfect standard, and every injustice will be addressed.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 119:137 powerfully declares God's inherent righteousness and the uprightness of His judgments, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's emphasis on God's perfect law and justice points forward to the one who would perfectly embody and fulfill that righteousness. Jesus is not merely righteous, but He is the righteousness of God personified, living a life of perfect obedience to every one of God's upright judgments. Through His sinless life, His obedient death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Christ perfectly upheld God's righteous standards. He became the means by which God's righteous judgment against sin could be satisfied, while simultaneously demonstrating God's boundless mercy. As the Apostle Paul profoundly explains, God presented Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, "to show His righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins... so that He Himself would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:25-26). Furthermore, Christ is the one through whom God's upright judgments are ultimately executed in the world, for "the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22). Believers are declared righteous not by their own flawed merit, but by being "in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Thus, the psalmist's ancient affirmation finds its glorious and saving climax in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who perfectly reveals and perfectly fulfills the righteous and upright judgments of the Lord.