Psalms 119:137

KJV

¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

KJV (with Strong's)

TZADDI. Righteous {H6662} art thou, O LORD {H3068}, and upright {H3477} are thy judgments {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(Tzadeh) You are righteous, ADONAI; and your rulings are upright.

Berean Standard Bible

Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.

American Standard Version

Righteous art thou, O Jehovah, And upright are thy judgments.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:137 is a profound declaration of God's inherent moral perfection and the unblemished rectitude of His divine decrees. As part of the "TZADDI" section of the longest psalm, this verse affirms that the Lord is intrinsically righteous in His very being and that all His judgments, ordinances, and ways are perfectly just, equitable, and true, providing a steadfast foundation for trust and worship in His sovereign character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is a masterful acrostic poem, the longest chapter in the Bible, meticulously structured with 22 sections, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each section, eight verses begin with that particular letter. Verse 137 falls under the "TZADDI" (צ) section, which often emphasizes themes of righteousness, justice, and the psalmist's pursuit of God's perfect law. Throughout the psalm, the author expresses an intense love for and devotion to God's Word, using a rich vocabulary of synonyms—such as "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "laws," and "judgments"—to refer to the divine revelation. This particular verse serves as a direct affirmation of the divine source and character of these very "judgments," connecting their uprightness to God's own righteous nature, a theme echoed in other parts of the psalm, such as when the psalmist declares, [Your testimonies are righteous forever](/psalms/119-144 "Psalm 119:144 - God's Everlasting Testimonies").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of a righteous God was foundational to their covenant relationship. Unlike the capricious deities of surrounding pagan nations, Yahweh was understood as a God of unwavering justice and moral integrity. His "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, *mishpatim*) were not arbitrary rules but reflections of His perfect character, designed to establish a just and orderly society. These judgments encompassed legal decisions, divine decrees, and the very principles by which God governed His people and the world. The psalmist's declaration would resonate deeply within a culture that understood the king's righteousness as crucial for the well-being of the nation, elevating God as the ultimate, perfectly righteous King whose rule was beyond reproach. This understanding provided a stable moral compass in a world often marked by injustice and chaos.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Psalm 119 and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Inherent Righteousness**, asserting that righteousness is not merely an attribute of God but is intrinsic to His very being. He is the ultimate standard of what is right and good. Secondly, it highlights **The Uprightness of God's Judgments**, directly linking His character to His actions and decrees. Because God is righteous, His laws and decisions are inherently just, fair, and true, never arbitrary or flawed. This provides a deep well of trust for the believer, knowing that God's rule is always equitable, as the psalmist confirms elsewhere: [I know, O LORD, that your judgments are righteous](/psalms/119-75 "Psalm 119:75 - God's Righteous Judgments"). Thirdly, the verse expresses **Divine Authority and Trust**, serving as an act of worship and submission to God's supreme authority. It reinforces the belief that God's commands are not burdensome but are expressions of His perfect will, designed for the ultimate good of those who follow them, fostering a spirit of willing obedience and confident reliance on His perfect wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _tzaddiq'_):** The Hebrew term צַדִּיק (*tzaddiq*) denotes moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to a divine standard. It signifies integrity, blamelessness, and adherence to what is right. When applied to God, it speaks of His absolute moral perfection; He is the source and embodiment of all that is just and good. His righteousness is not relative but absolute and unwavering, forming the very foundation of His character and actions.
* **Upright (Hebrew, _yashar'_):** The word יָשָׁר (*yashar*) means straight, equitable, just, or honest. It implies a lack of deviation, distortion, or bias. When used to describe God's judgments, it reinforces the idea that His decrees are not twisted, unfair, or arbitrary. Instead, they are perfectly straightforward, true, and aligned with His righteous nature, providing a reliable and trustworthy standard.
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpatim'_):** The term מִשְׁפָּטִים (*mishpatim*) refers to God's ordinances, legal decisions, decrees, and the principles by which He governs. It encompasses both His declared laws (like the Torah) and His active administration of justice in the world. The plural form emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's just rule, highlighting that every aspect of His governance is rooted in His perfect righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Righteous art thou, O LORD":** This opening clause is a direct, worshipful affirmation of God's intrinsic character. It is a theological statement declaring that righteousness is not merely an attribute that God possesses, but is fundamental to His very being. He is the ultimate standard of moral perfection, the source from which all true justice and goodness flow. The address "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes His covenant name, reinforcing His personal and relational nature as the perfectly righteous God who interacts with His people.
* **"and upright are thy judgments":** This second clause directly connects God's inherent character to His actions and decrees. Because God Himself is righteous, it logically follows that everything He commands, decides, or ordains is also perfectly just, fair, and true. His "judgments" (His laws, statutes, and acts of governance) are not arbitrary but are a consistent and reliable reflection of His perfect nature. This provides profound assurance that His rule is always equitable and trustworthy, never flawed or unjust.

#### Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several literary devices to convey his profound theological declaration. The most prominent is **Direct Address** to God ("O LORD"), which imbues the verse with a personal, worshipful tone, transforming it from a mere statement of fact into an act of adoration. The structure also features a clear **Parallelism** between "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 structure emphasizes the inseparable link between who God is and what He does. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Affirmation** or declaration, serving not only to state a truth 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.

### 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 covenant faithfulness, and the reliability of His revealed will. It assures believers that even when His ways are inscrutable, they are always just and good, flowing from a being who is inherently perfect. This verse grounds our trust in God's sovereignty, reminding us that His governance of the world 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 anchor for faith in a world often characterized by moral ambiguity and injustice.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Justice and Truth")
* [Psalm 145:17](/psalms/145-17 "Psalm 145:17 - The Lord is Righteous in All His Ways")
* [Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Justice and Justification")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marred by injustice, corruption, and moral compromise, Psalms 119:137 offers profound spiritual assurance and a call to faithful living. The declaration that God is "righteous" and His "judgments" are "upright" provides an unshakeable foundation for our faith. It encourages us to trust God's character implicitly, even when circumstances seem chaotic or His ways are beyond our comprehension. 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. Therefore, we are called not only to acknowledge this truth intellectually but to embody it practically. 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, we are challenged to reflect His righteousness in our own lives, striving for integrity, justice, and moral uprightness in all our interactions and decisions, becoming agents of His righteousness in a fallen world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's inherent righteousness impact your trust in His sovereignty during difficult or confusing times?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to more fully embrace the uprightness of God's "judgments" (His commands and principles)?**
* **How can you, as an individual or community, better reflect God's righteousness and justice in your daily interactions and societal engagement?**
* **What comfort or challenge does this verse offer regarding the ultimate triumph of justice in the world?**

### 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 reasons. Firstly, it establishes God as the ultimate moral standard, providing an objective basis for truth, justice, and morality in a world prone to relativism. Without a perfectly righteous God, there is no absolute right or wrong. 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 and good, 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 of His Word, as seen throughout [Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Glory of God's Word"), which celebrates the perfection of His law. Finally, it provides hope for ultimate justice, assuring us that in the end, all things will be set right according to His perfect standard.

### 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 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. Through His sinless life, obedient death, and 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 mercy. As the Apostle Paul 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](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness and Justification Through Christ")). Furthermore, Christ is the one through whom God's upright judgments are ultimately executed, for "the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Jesus, the Judge")). Believers are declared righteous not by their own merit, but by being "in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Thus, the psalmist's affirmation finds its glorious and saving climax in the person and work of the Lamb of God, who perfectly reveals and perfectly fulfills the righteous and upright judgments of the Lord.

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.

Cross-References

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.