Psalms 143:2

KJV

And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

KJV (with Strong's)

And enter {H935} not into judgment {H4941} with thy servant {H5650}: for in thy sight {H6440} shall no man living {H2416} be justified {H6663}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't bring your servant to trial, since in your sight no one alive would be considered righteous.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.

American Standard Version

And enter not into judgment with thy servant; For in thy sight no man living is righteous.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 143:2 is a profound plea from the psalmist, likely King David, to God, acknowledging humanity's inherent inability to stand righteous before divine judgment through personal merit. It articulates the universal truth that no living person can achieve a state of justification in God's perfect sight by their own works, thereby implicitly appealing to God's mercy rather than His strict justice. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of human sinfulness and the absolute standard of divine holiness, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of God's redemptive provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 143 is one of the seven traditional Penitential Psalms (alongside Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, and 130) and a classic psalm of lament. The psalm opens with an urgent cry for God to hear the psalmist's prayer and answer him in faithfulness and righteousness, due to overwhelming distress from enemies and personal affliction ([Psalms 143:1](/psalms/143-1 "Psalms 143:1 - A Cry for Help and Deliverance")). The psalmist describes his spirit failing, his heart desolate, and his remembrance of God's past deeds ([Psalms 143:3-5](/psalms/143-3 "Psalms 143:3-5 - Despair and Remembrance")). Verse 2 marks a pivotal shift from external enemies to an internal, spiritual struggle. David understands that even if God were to deliver him from his foes, he still faces the ultimate judgment of God, before whom no human can be found righteous. This recognition of personal unworthiness underscores the desperate need for divine intervention and mercy, which the psalmist continues to seek throughout the remainder of the psalm ([Psalms 143:8-12](/psalms/143-8 "Psalms 143:8-12 - Prayer for Guidance and Deliverance")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, likely during a period of intense persecution or personal crisis (e.g., fleeing from Saul or Absalom), this psalm reflects the common experience of a king or leader facing both external threats and internal moral failings. In ancient Israel, the concept of "judgment" (Hebrew: *mishpat*) was deeply rooted in the legal and covenantal framework established by God. God was understood as the ultimate judge, whose standards were absolute and whose judgments were just. The idea of "justification" (Hebrew: *tsadaq*) was primarily forensic – being declared righteous or acquitted in a legal setting. However, the Old Testament also recognized that human beings, even the most devout, fell short of God's perfect standard (cf. [1 Kings 8:46](/1_kings/8-46 "1 Kings 8:46 - No One Is Without Sin"); [Proverbs 20:9](/proverbs/20-9 "Proverbs 20:9 - Who Can Say They Are Pure?")). The cultural expectation was that one sought to live righteously according to the Law, but there was also an awareness of the need for atonement and God's mercy for inevitable transgressions. David's plea here is not an abandonment of the Law, but a profound recognition of its inability to justify him fully before a holy God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **universal reality of human sinfulness and inadequacy** before God's perfect holiness. David, a "man after God's own heart," humbly admits that his own righteousness is insufficient, echoing the sentiment found in [Ecclesiastes 7:20](/ecclesiastes/7-20 "Ecclesiastes 7:20 - No Righteous Person on Earth Who Never Sins") that "there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." Secondly, it underscores **God's absolute righteousness and uncompromising justice**. The divine standard is so pure that no human effort can meet it, demonstrating the vast chasm between finite humanity and infinite deity. Finally, implicit in the psalmist's plea is the profound **need for divine mercy and grace**. By stating that no one can be justified by judgment, David is essentially appealing for God to deal with him not according to strict justice, but according to His covenantal love and compassion, foreshadowing the New Testament concept of justification by grace through faith (cf. [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Justification Not by Law")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** Properly, a verdict pronounced judicially; a sentence or formal decree, including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty. Abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege. In this context, it refers to God's forensic scrutiny, a divine court where human deeds and character are weighed against His perfect standard. David understands that such a legal proceeding would inevitably lead to a guilty verdict for him.
* **living (Hebrew, _chay'_):** Alive; hence, life, or living thing. This emphasizes the universal scope of the statement – it applies to every single person currently alive, underscoring that human imperfection is not limited to a few, but is a condition of all humanity. No one, regardless of their status or perceived piety, is exempt from this truth.
* **justified (Hebrew, _tsâdaq'_):** To be (causatively, make) right in a moral or forensic sense; to cleanse, clear oneself, to be or do justice, to be or turn to righteousness. Here, it means to be declared righteous, acquitted, or innocent in a divine court. The psalmist asserts that no human being can achieve this state of being declared "right" before God based on their own actions or inherent goodness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And enter not into judgment with thy servant:"** This is a direct, earnest plea from the psalmist to God. The phrase "enter not into judgment" uses legal terminology, imploring God not to bring him into a divine courtroom where his life and actions would be meticulously examined. The psalmist identifies himself as "thy servant," acknowledging his relationship with God but also his subordinate and dependent status. This plea is born out of a deep awareness of his own sinfulness and the certain outcome of such a divine audit: condemnation.
* **"for in thy sight shall no man living be justified."** This clause provides the theological rationale for the preceding plea. It is a universal declaration of human inability to achieve righteousness before God. "In thy sight" emphasizes God's perfect omniscience and holiness, before which all human imperfection is exposed. "No man living" underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of this truth – it applies to all humanity, without exception. "Be justified" means to be declared innocent or righteous. The psalmist understands that human efforts, good deeds, or adherence to the law are utterly insufficient to meet God's impeccable standard of justice and holiness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Apostrophe** is evident in the direct address to God, "enter not into judgment with thy servant," creating an intimate and urgent tone. The phrase "no man living" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Universal Statement**, emphasizing the absolute and inescapable truth that *all* humanity falls short of God's perfect standard, rather than just a select few. This universal declaration also serves as a form of **Understatement** regarding the psalmist's own condition, implying that if no one can be justified, then certainly he, a mere servant, cannot. The entire verse is framed within a **Legal Metaphor**, portraying God as a divine judge and humanity as defendants in a cosmic courtroom, where the outcome of an independent legal review would be universal condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 143:2 is a foundational text for understanding the biblical doctrine of justification and the nature of human sin. It articulates the universal human predicament: our inherent inability to attain righteousness by our own efforts or adherence to the law, due to the pervasive nature of sin and God's absolute holiness. This Old Testament declaration profoundly anticipates New Testament theology, particularly the Pauline epistles, which expound on the necessity of a righteousness provided by God, not earned by man. The psalmist's plea for mercy, rather than judgment, foreshadows the redemptive solution found in Christ, where God's justice is satisfied and His mercy extended.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Justification Not by Law")
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith in Christ")
* [Job 9:2](/job/9-2 "Job 9:2 - How Can a Mortal Be Righteous Before God?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw honesty in Psalms 143:2 offers a timeless and humbling truth: our standing before God is never based on our own goodness, achievements, or adherence to religious duties. This verse shatters any illusion of self-righteousness, compelling us to recognize our utter dependence on God's grace. For believers, it underscores the profound significance of Christ's atoning work, for it is only through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection that we can be declared righteous in God's sight. This understanding should cultivate deep humility, profound gratitude for God's mercy, and a constant reliance on Christ for our salvation and daily walk. It frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and empowers us to live in the security of His unmerited love, motivating us to pursue holiness not out of obligation, but out of love for the One who justified us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "no man living shall be justified" challenge your own perceptions of your standing before God?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own good deeds or moral efforts for God's approval?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the grace of God and the work of Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical implications does this truth have for your daily walk with God and your interactions with others?**

### FAQ
**What does "enter not into judgment with thy servant" mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a plea to God, asking Him not to deal with the psalmist according to strict justice or to bring him into a legal reckoning. It implies that if God were to meticulously examine the psalmist's life and deeds against His perfect standards, the psalmist would certainly be found guilty and condemned. It's an appeal for mercy, not a claim of innocence.

**Is this verse saying that no one can ever be righteous?**

Answer: The verse states that "no man living shall be justified" *in God's sight* by their own efforts or merits. It highlights the universal human condition of sinfulness and the impossibility of achieving a righteous standing before a holy God through personal performance or adherence to the law. It does not negate the possibility of being declared righteous by God through His gracious provision, which the New Testament reveals is accomplished through faith in Jesus Christ ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 143:2 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's desperate cry, acknowledging that "no man living shall be justified" by their own merit, perfectly sets the stage for the New Testament revelation of God's solution to humanity's universal sin problem. Because no human being could ever meet God's perfect standard of righteousness, God sent His Son, Jesus, who lived a perfectly righteous life, fulfilling every requirement of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Christ then offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, taking upon Himself the judgment and condemnation that humanity deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"); [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Through His substitutionary atonement, Jesus became our righteousness, enabling God to declare sinners "justified" not based on their own works, but solely on their faith in Christ's finished work ([Romans 3:24-26](/romans/3-24-26 "Romans 3:24-26 - Justification Through Redemption in Christ Jesus")). Thus, the very "judgment" David feared is absorbed by Christ, and the "justification" impossible for any living man to achieve becomes a gracious gift freely offered to all who believe in the One who died and rose again for their sins ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justified by Faith, We Have Peace with God")).

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

Ecclesiastes 7:20

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Job 25:4

How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman?

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Job 14:3

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

Psalms 130:3

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.