137. Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.

138. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.

139. My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.

140. Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.

141. I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.

142. Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.

143. Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.

144. Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

Related to Righteousness

“Rules without relationship can lead to rebellion.” This simple statement landed heavily on my heart as a new parent trying to raise godly children. I wanted to protect and guide my children but rules were not enough. To be fruitful, rules must function within the context of foundationally healthy and loving relationships.

Accordingly, Psalm 119:137 identifies God’s rules as good and right but the second half of the verse identifies the very quality of “rightness,” or righteousness, as being the very essence and character of God Himself. Thus, verse 137 begins with the Hebrew word for righteous, Tsa’deek (צַדִּיק), beginning with the letter tsadhe (צ). David uses the noun form of this word four more times in this stanza. Verses 138 and 144 use righteousness to describe God’s testimonies. Verse 142 uses this word twice to identify the everlasting nature of God and His righteousness beginning with three Hebrew words translated, “Your righteousness” — “is righteous” — “forever” (l’olam, see chapter 12 Hebrew Treasure), and ending with two Hebrew words translated, “your law” (torah, instruction) “is truth.”

While we tend to focus on our “doing” right things and obeying right rules, there is a deeper “rightness” connected to God’s very being rather than merely our doing. What we do certainly matters, but what God has done, is doing, and will do, matters more. He is the true source of our righteousness.

As Paul says in Romans 3:21, “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” Prioritize your relationship with God and He will protect and guide you as a perfect and righteous Father who knows you best and loves you most!

Hebrew Treasure excerpt written by Thomas Boehm.
From The Psalm 119 Journey by Steve Allen, ©2022.
Used with permission.