Psalms 92:15

KJV

To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

To shew {H5046}{H8687)} that the LORD {H3068} is upright {H3477}: he is my rock {H6697}, and there is no unrighteousness {H5766}{H8675)}{H5766} in him.

Complete Jewish Bible

proclaiming that ADONAI is upright, my Rock, in whom there is no wrong.

Berean Standard Bible

to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”

American Standard Version

To show that Jehovah is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 92:15 serves as a climactic declaration within a psalm of praise and thanksgiving, affirming the absolute moral perfection and unwavering reliability of God. It asserts that the flourishing and fruitfulness of the righteous, described in the preceding verses, serve as a tangible demonstration that the LORD is inherently just, utterly trustworthy, and provides an unshakeable foundation for His people, being entirely devoid of any fault or injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 92 is explicitly titled "A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day," indicating its liturgical use and thematic focus on rest, worship, and reflection on God's works. The psalm opens with an exhortation to praise God for His great works and righteous judgments (verses 1-6). It then contrasts the temporary prosperity of the wicked, who are destined for destruction, with the enduring flourishing of the righteous (verses 7-11). Verses 12-14 vividly depict the righteous as thriving like palm trees and cedars in Lebanon, planted in the house of the LORD, bearing fruit even in old age. Verse 15 provides the theological rationale and ultimate purpose for this divine blessing and the righteous's prosperity: it is a clear testimony to God's own character, demonstrating His perfect uprightness and the absence of any unrighteousness in Him. The psalm moves from general praise to specific evidence of God's character in the lives of His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of God as "rock" is a prominent and ancient metaphor throughout the Old Testament, signifying strength, stability, refuge, and an unchangeable foundation, often associated with the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh to Israel. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society familiar with the permanence of geological features in contrast to the transient nature of human endeavors. The idea of God's "uprightness" (Hebrew: _yashar_) was central to Israel's understanding of divine justice and covenant fidelity, distinguishing Yahweh from the capricious deities of surrounding pagan cultures. The Sabbath context further emphasizes a time for reflection on God's character and works, where the visible evidence of His blessing on the righteous would be a powerful affirmation of His just rule in the world. The psalm reflects a worldview where divine blessing and human flourishing are intrinsically linked to God's moral nature and His administration of justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 92 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores **God's absolute righteousness and justice**, a foundational attribute of His character. The flourishing of the righteous is not arbitrary but a direct consequence and demonstration of God's just governance, proving that He acts in perfect accordance with His nature, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Work and Justice"). Secondly, the theme of **God's steadfastness and reliability** is highlighted by the metaphor of God as "my rock." This imagery conveys His unchangeable nature, providing an unwavering source of strength and security for those who trust Him, echoing declarations found in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - God as My Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer"). Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of **the righteous as a testimony to God's character**. Their blessed state is not merely for their own benefit but serves as a visible witness to the world that the LORD is indeed upright and without blemish, validating His promises and His moral order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Upright (Hebrew, _yashar'_):** This word (יָשָׁר) carries the meaning of being straight, right, just, equitable, and morally correct. When applied to God, it signifies His absolute moral integrity, His unwavering adherence to truth, and the perfect rectitude of all His actions and judgments. It implies that God's character is without deviation or crookedness, consistently aligned with His holy nature. The flourishing of the righteous is presented as empirical evidence of this inherent moral consistency.
* **Rock (Hebrew, _tsur'_):** The term (צוּר) is a powerful and frequently used metaphor for God in the Old Testament. It denotes strength, stability, permanence, and refuge. Unlike shifting sands or temporary shelters, a rock provides an unshakeable foundation and a secure hiding place. When the psalmist declares God as "my rock," it is a personal confession of trust in God's unchangeable nature, His protective presence, and His unwavering faithfulness as a source of strength and security in life's storms.
* **Unrighteousness (Hebrew, _'awlah'_):** This word (עַוְלָה) refers to perversity, injustice, wickedness, or moral crookedness. The declaration that "there is no unrighteousness in him" is an emphatic statement of God's absolute moral purity and freedom from any form of injustice, fault, or moral defect. It underscores His perfect integrity and the certainty that all His dealings are righteous and true.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To shew that the LORD [is] upright:"** This opening clause functions as a purpose statement. The preceding verses describe the flourishing of the righteous ("They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing"). This flourishing is not random but serves a specific divine purpose: to demonstrate, make evident, or prove to the world that the LORD is inherently righteous, just, and morally perfect. The visible blessing on those who trust Him is a living testimony to His character.
* **"[he is] my rock,"** This is a deeply personal confession and a powerful metaphorical declaration. The psalmist identifies the LORD as "my rock," signifying a personal relationship with God as his unshakeable foundation, his source of strength, his refuge, and his ultimate security. It speaks to God's reliability and steadfastness in the life of the individual believer.
* **"and [there is] no unrighteousness in him."** This final clause is an absolute and emphatic affirmation of God's moral purity. It declares that God is entirely free from any form of injustice, wickedness, fault, or moral imperfection. It reinforces the idea of His perfect integrity and the certainty that all His judgments, actions, and character are completely righteous and true. This statement provides ultimate assurance that God can be fully trusted.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the declaration "he is my rock." This vivid imagery transforms an inanimate object (a rock) into a symbol of God's unchangeable nature, strength, stability, and protective refuge for the psalmist. The entire verse functions as a **Declaration** or **Affirmation**, emphatically stating fundamental truths about God's character. It serves as a **Purpose Clause** ("To shew that...") explaining the reason for the righteous's flourishing described earlier in the psalm. There is also an implied **Contrast** with the wicked, whose temporary prosperity and eventual destruction (mentioned earlier in Psalm 92) highlight God's justice even more starkly when compared to the enduring uprightness demonstrated through the righteous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This powerful verse encapsulates core theological truths about God's character, serving as an anchor for faith. The declaration of God's absolute uprightness and the absence of any unrighteousness in Him establishes the bedrock of divine trustworthiness. It means that God's judgments are always just, His promises eternally reliable, and His character perfectly consistent. The flourishing of the righteous, therefore, is not merely a reward but a living testament to God's righteous governance of the world. In a fallen world often marked by injustice and moral ambiguity, this verse provides profound comfort and assurance, reminding believers that the ultimate arbiter of justice is perfectly good and entirely without fault, offering an unshakeable foundation for hope and security.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Work and Justice")
* [Psalm 18:30](/psalms/18-30 "Psalm 18:30 - God's Way is Perfect")
* [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:15 calls us to a deeper trust and a more profound worship of God. Knowing that the LORD is perfectly upright and completely free from unrighteousness means that we can rest securely in His character, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust. Our lives, particularly our spiritual growth and perseverance in faith, are intended to be a living testament to His unwavering goodness and justice. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives: do we reflect the uprightness of the God we serve? Are we living in a way that "shows" His character to the world? It challenges us to find our ultimate refuge not in fleeting circumstances or human strength, but in the unshakeable "Rock" who is eternally just and true. Our flourishing in faith, even amidst trials, becomes a powerful witness to His perfect nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does your life currently "shew that the LORD is upright" to those around you?**
* **How does the truth that God is "my rock" provide comfort and stability in your current challenges or uncertainties?**
* **What practical implications does it have for your faith to know that there is "no unrighteousness" in God, even when you don't understand His ways?**

### FAQ
**Why is God called a "rock" in this verse and elsewhere in Scripture?**

Answer: God is called a "rock" (Hebrew: _tsur_) to emphasize His unchangeable nature, His absolute reliability, and His role as a secure foundation and refuge. Just as a physical rock provides stability, strength, and shelter, God is the unwavering source of security and protection for His people. This metaphor highlights His steadfastness in His promises and His faithfulness in covenant, providing an unshakeable ground for trust and hope. It contrasts with the shifting sands of human endeavors or the transient nature of worldly power.

**How does the flourishing of the righteous, as described in Psalm 92, demonstrate God's uprightness?**

Answer: The flourishing of the righteous (verses 12-14) serves as tangible evidence of God's just administration in the world. In a world where the wicked sometimes seem to prosper, the enduring fruitfulness and vitality of those who are "planted in the house of the LORD" (verse 13) testify to God's moral order. It shows that God rewards faithfulness and that His justice is ultimately upheld. Their prosperity is not merely a blessing but a visible sign that God is indeed righteous and true to His word, unlike the temporary success of the wicked who are destined for destruction (verse 7).

**What does it mean that "there is no unrighteousness in him," and why is this declaration significant?**

Answer: The declaration "there is no unrighteousness in him" means that God is absolutely pure, perfectly just, and entirely free from any moral fault, defect, or injustice. He is without blemish, deceit, or moral crookedness. This is profoundly significant because it assures believers that God's character is utterly trustworthy. All His judgments are fair, all His promises are true, and all His actions are righteous. In a world often marked by corruption and injustice, this truth provides ultimate comfort and a firm foundation for faith, knowing that the ultimate authority is perfectly good and just.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's uprightness, the very "Rock" upon which the church is built, and the one in whom no unrighteousness is found. Jesus Himself declared that those who hear and obey His words are like a wise man who built his house on the rock, enduring the storms of life ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")), a direct echo of God as "my rock." The New Testament explicitly identifies Christ as the spiritual Rock who accompanied and sustained Israel in the wilderness ([1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - Christ as the Spiritual Rock")). Furthermore, the entire plan of salvation through Christ perfectly demonstrates God's uprightness and the absence of unrighteousness in Him. God, being perfectly just, could not simply overlook sin, yet in Christ, He provided a righteous means of atonement, "to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might 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 Displayed")). Jesus, who "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")), perfectly fulfilled the requirement of God's uprightness, becoming the foundation of our salvation and the living proof that God is indeed perfectly righteous and entirely without fault.

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

Psalms 18:2

The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

Romans 9:14

¶ What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Psalms 62:6

He only [is] my rock and my salvation: [he is] my defence; I shall not be moved.

Job 34:10

¶ Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity.

Psalms 145:17

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

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.

1 Peter 1:4

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,