119:136 119:136

Psalms 119:137

119:138 119:138

Bible Versions

¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.
TZADDI. Righteous {H6662} art thou, O LORD {H3068}, and upright {H3477} are thy judgments {H4941}.
(Tzadeh) You are righteous, ADONAI; and your rulings are upright.
Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.
Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem celebrating the beauty, truth, and power of God's Word, referred to by various synonyms like statutes, precepts, commandments, and judgments. Each of its 22 sections corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses in each section beginning with that letter. Verse 137 falls under the section marked by the Hebrew letter TZADDI (often transliterated as Tsade or Tzade), highlighting the theme of righteousness and justice.

In this particular section, the psalmist continues his profound meditation on God's character and His divine law, leading to a declaration of God's absolute moral perfection and the unerring rectitude of His decrees.

Key Themes

  • God's Inherent Righteousness: The verse opens with a direct affirmation of God's fundamental nature: "Righteous art thou, O LORD." This isn't merely a statement about God's actions, but about His very being. God is the ultimate standard of what is right, just, and good. His righteousness is perfect and unchangeable.
  • The Uprightness of God's Judgments: Following the declaration of God's righteousness, the psalmist asserts, "and upright are thy judgments." This connects God's character to His actions and decrees. Because God Himself is righteous, His laws, decisions, and ways are inherently just, fair, and true. They are not arbitrary but reflect His perfect nature. This provides a foundation of trust for believers, knowing that God's rule is always equitable. The psalmist similarly affirms this in Psalm 119:75.
  • Divine Authority and Trust: The psalmist's declaration is an act of worship and submission to God's supreme authority. It underscores the belief that God's commands are not burdensome, but are expressions of His perfect will, designed for the good of those who follow them.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "righteous" here is tzaddiq (צַדִּיק), which denotes moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to a divine standard. It signifies integrity and blamelessness. The term "upright" (יָשָׁר - yashar) means straight, equitable, just, or honest, reinforcing the idea that God's judgments are not twisted or biased but are perfectly straightforward and true. "Judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים - mishpatim) refers to God's ordinances, legal decisions, and decrees, highlighting their authoritative and just nature.

Related Scriptures

This verse echoes the consistent biblical portrayal of God's character. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Similarly, Romans 3:26 speaks of God being "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus," affirming His dual nature as both righteous and merciful.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 119:137 offers profound assurance. When we face difficult circumstances or question God's ways, this verse reminds us that God is inherently righteous and His decisions are always upright. It encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Character: Even when we don't understand His specific actions or allowances, we can rest in the knowledge that God is always just and good.
  • Embrace His Word: Since His judgments are upright, His commandments and statutes are for our good and should be embraced and obeyed.
  • Live Righteously: As those who bear God's image, we are called to reflect His righteousness in our own lives, striving for justice and integrity in all our dealings.

This verse serves as an anchor in a world often perceived as unjust, reminding us that there is a sovereign, righteous God whose judgments are perfectly true.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezra 9:15

    O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    ¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Daniel 9:7

    O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

  • Psalms 145:17

    The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

  • Psalms 103:6

    ¶ The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

  • Deuteronomy 32:4

    [He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he.

  • Revelation 16:7

    And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.
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