Psalms 37:30

KJV

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

KJV (with Strong's)

The mouth {H6310} of the righteous {H6662} speaketh {H1897} wisdom {H2451}, and his tongue {H3956} talketh {H1696}{H8762)} of judgment {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The mouth of the righteous articulates wisdom, his tongue speaks justice.

Berean Standard Bible

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

American Standard Version

The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 37:30 succinctly captures a defining characteristic of the righteous individual: their speech is a direct and authentic outflow of their inner spiritual condition. It asserts that the words emanating from a godly heart are not trivial or malicious, but are imbued with divine wisdom and a commitment to truth and justice, reflecting a life aligned with God's principles and purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, likely penned by David, offering practical instruction on navigating life in a world where the wicked often appear to prosper. It stands in contrast to the lament psalms, focusing instead on the enduring blessings of faithfulness and the ultimate futility of evil. The psalm repeatedly urges the reader not to "fret" or be envious of evildoers but to "trust in the Lord" and "delight in Him" [Psalm 37:3-4](/psalms/37-3 "Psalm 37:3-4 - Trust and Delight in the Lord"). Verse 30, therefore, is not an isolated statement but an integral part of a broader description of the righteous person, whose character is consistently portrayed as one of integrity, patience, and reliance on God. It follows descriptions of their inheritance of the land and their steadfastness in the face of adversity, emphasizing that their inward righteousness finds outward expression, particularly through their speech.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, speech held immense power and significance. Words were not merely sounds but were believed to carry creative, destructive, or binding force, reflecting the speaker's character and authority. Wisdom literature, like the Psalms and Proverbs, frequently addresses the theme of speech, distinguishing between the life-giving words of the wise and the destructive words of fools (e.g., [Proverbs 10:19-21](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19-21 - The Power of Words")). The "mouth" and "tongue" were seen as instruments of the heart, revealing one's true nature. Furthermore, "judgment" (mishpat) was a cornerstone of Israelite society, referring to justice, righteousness, and the proper administration of law according to God's covenant. A righteous person was expected to uphold these standards, and their speech would naturally reflect this commitment, whether in giving counsel, resolving disputes, or declaring God's truth.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes present throughout Psalm 37 and the broader wisdom tradition. Firstly, it highlights the **integrity of the righteous**, asserting that their outward speech is a direct and consistent reflection of their inward character. There is no disconnect between who they are and what they say. Secondly, it underscores the **nature of true wisdom** (`chokmah`), which is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical, godly discernment that guides one's life and informs their words. This wisdom leads to sound counsel and righteous living, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **advocacy for justice and truth**. The "judgment" spoken of is not condemnation but the declaration of what is right, fair, and aligned with God's standards, echoing the call for justice found in prophetic books like [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down"). Finally, it reinforces the **transformative power of speech**, portraying the righteous person's words as a source of edification and moral clarity in a world often clouded by deceit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speaketh (Hebrew, _hāgâ'_):** This verb implies more than just uttering words; it suggests a deep, meditative utterance, a musing or pondering that then finds expression. It denotes a thoughtful, deliberate, and often low, murmuring sound, which then articulates profound truth. The wisdom spoken is not superficial or impulsive but emerges from a process of internal reflection and absorption of divine truth, indicating a deep wellspring of understanding.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _ḥokmâ'_):** Far beyond mere intellectual acumen, _ḥokmâ_ refers to practical skill, moral discernment, and the ability to live skillfully in accordance with God's design. It encompasses prudence, insight, and the capacity to apply divine truth to everyday situations, leading to discernment and sound advice. It is the art of living well, rooted in the fear of the Lord.
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mišpāṭ'_):** This term signifies justice, righteousness, or a righteous decree. It refers to the proper order and administration of affairs according to divine standards. When the righteous person's tongue "talketh of judgment," it means they speak what is right, fair, equitable, and aligned with God's moral law. Their words uphold truth, correct error, and declare God's righteous ways, rather than promoting injustice or deceit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom":** This clause establishes the source and nature of the righteous person's communication. Their "mouth," a metonymy for their speech, is not just an organ but an instrument of their inner character. Because they are "righteous"—aligned with God's will and character—their speech naturally flows from this inner state. The act of "speaking" (hāgâ) implies a deep, thoughtful, and deliberate articulation, not idle chatter. What they speak is "wisdom" (ḥokmâ), which is practical, godly insight and discernment, reflecting their intimate knowledge of God's ways and their ability to apply divine truth to life.
* **"and his tongue talketh of judgment":** This parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the first. The "tongue" serves as another metonymy for speech, emphasizing the instrument of verbal expression. The verb "talketh" (dābar) means to speak, declare, or command, suggesting a more authoritative or declarative utterance. What the tongue declares is "judgment" (mišpāṭ), referring to justice, righteousness, and the upholding of God's moral standards. This indicates that the righteous person's speech is not only wise but also ethically grounded, advocating for what is right and just, and reflecting God's own character as the righteous Judge.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 37:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Synonymous Parallelism** is evident in the structure, where the second half of the verse ("his tongue talketh of judgment") largely reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first half ("The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom"). "Mouth" and "tongue" are parallel instruments of speech, while "wisdom" and "judgment" are closely related concepts, both reflecting divine truth and righteousness. This parallelism serves to emphasize and deepen the core message. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is used with "mouth" and "tongue" standing in for the act of speaking itself, highlighting the physical means through which the inner character is expressed. The verse also subtly uses **Personification**, as the "mouth" and "tongue" are depicted as actively "speaking" and "talking," imbuing them with agency that underscores the intentionality and character-driven nature of the righteous person's words.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 37:30 is a profound theological statement on the intrinsic link between inner righteousness and outward expression, particularly through speech. It asserts that genuine wisdom and a commitment to justice are not merely intellectual concepts but living realities that manifest in one's verbal communication. The righteous person's speech is therefore a barometer of their spiritual health, a conduit for God's truth, and an instrument for upholding His standards in the world. This verse aligns with the broader biblical teaching that words carry immense power, reflecting the heart from which they originate and shaping the world around them. It calls believers to cultivate an internal character so deeply rooted in God's wisdom and justice that their words naturally become a source of light and truth.

* [Proverbs 15:2](/proverbs/15-2 "Proverbs 15:2 - The Tongue of the Wise")
* [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")
* [James 3:13](/james/3-13 "James 3:13 - Wisdom from Above")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 37:30 challenges us to consider the profound connection between our inner being and our outward words. It reminds us that truly wise and just speech does not arise from mere intellectual prowess or social convention, but from a heart cultivated in righteousness and aligned with God's character. For believers, this means that our primary focus should be on nurturing a deep, abiding relationship with Christ, allowing His wisdom and justice to permeate our thoughts, desires, and intentions. When our hearts are filled with His truth, our mouths will naturally become instruments of His grace, wisdom, and righteousness. We are called to be intentional about our speech, choosing words that build up, impart grace, speak truth, and advocate for justice, rather than words that tear down, deceive, or sow discord. In a world often characterized by careless, divisive, or misleading speech, the righteous are called to be a distinct voice—a voice that reflects the wisdom of God and champions His righteous standards, offering clarity and healing to those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily speech reflect the condition of my heart?**
* **In what specific ways can I cultivate a deeper wellspring of God's wisdom and justice within me, so that my words might naturally flow from it?**
* **Am I using my tongue to speak truth and advocate for justice in my spheres of influence, or am I silent when righteousness demands a voice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my words are consistently wise, edifying, and aligned with God's character?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between "wisdom" and "judgment" in this verse?**

Answer: While closely related, "wisdom" (Hebrew: _ḥokmâ_) in this context refers to the practical skill of living righteously and discerning God's ways, the ability to apply divine truth to life situations. It's about skillful living and sound counsel. "Judgment" (Hebrew: _mišpāṭ_), on the other hand, refers to justice, righteousness, and the upholding of God's moral standards and decrees. So, the righteous person's mouth speaks wise counsel, and their tongue declares what is right, fair, and aligned with God's ethical demands, often in the context of upholding justice or setting things right. They are two facets of a unified, godly character that finds expression in speech. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that wisdom often leads to just actions and words, as seen in [Proverbs 8:20](/proverbs/8-20 "Proverbs 8:20 - Wisdom Walks in the Way of Righteousness").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 37:30 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom and perfect righteousness. While the psalmist describes the ideal righteous person, Jesus is the only one who perfectly lived out this truth. His mouth always spoke wisdom, not merely human insight, but the very words of God (e.g., [John 12:49-50](/john/12-49 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks What the Father Commands")). From the Sermon on the Mount, where He taught with unparalleled authority (e.g., [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), to His parables and direct teachings, His words consistently revealed the deepest truths of God's kingdom and the path to true life. Furthermore, His tongue always spoke of judgment, not in a condemning sense for those who turn to Him, but in upholding God's perfect justice and declaring the righteous standards of the Father. He perfectly executed God's _mišpāṭ_ through His life, death, and resurrection, establishing true justice and righteousness for all who believe (e.g., [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). As believers, we are called to imitate Christ, allowing His Spirit to cultivate His wisdom and righteousness within us, so that our speech, too, might reflect the character of the One who is "wisdom from God" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

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

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Proverbs 25:11

¶ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:13

¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Proverbs 15:7

¶ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Matthew 12:35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.