Psalms 119:142 — Word Study
WLCצִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃
BSAYour righteousnesstsᵉdâqâh [everlasting, having God's nature] is everlastingʻôwlâm [forever, to the age] and Your lawtôwrâh [instruction, guiding principles] is trueʼemeth [faithfulness, stability, truth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צִדְקָתְךָ֣ | righteousness your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| צֶ֣דֶק | [is] righteousness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְעוֹלָ֑ם | for ever | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ | and law your | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אֱמֶֽת׃ | [is] truth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true. |
| KJV | Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. |
| ASV | Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth. |
| YLT | Thy righteousness [is] righteousness to the age, And Thy law [is] truth. |
| WEB | Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth. |
| BBE | Your righteousness is an unchanging righteousness, and your law is certain. |
Where they part company is אֱמֶת — see How Translations Differ.
The structure is straightforward, with a main clause followed by a predicate, clearly stating the qualities of God's righteousness and law.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:142
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Meditation on God's Lawgenerated
Psalm 119:142 expresses the psalmist's acknowledgment of God's eternal righteousness and the truth of His law. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the importance of God's commandments, reflecting a deep reliance on His guidance in the face of life's challenges. The psalmist contrasts his own lowly state with the enduring nature of God's principles, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:144 | Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. |
| 2 | Psalm 36:6 | Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. |
| 3 | Isaiah 51:6–8 | Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail. |
| 4 | Daniel 9:24 | Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. |
| 5 | 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 | After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צִדְקָתְךָ֣, tzid.ka.te.Chagenerated
The word צִדְקָה (tzidqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, virtue, and morality. In this verse, it highlights God's character as the ultimate standard of righteousness, emphasizing that His righteousness is not only a quality but also an enduring reality.
The parsing indicates that it is a feminine singular construct with a suffix, showing possession — 'Your righteousness.' This form conveys a personal relationship between the psalmist and God, affirming that God's righteousness is a source of hope and stability.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אֱמֶת governs the entire verse, establishing the declaration about God's nature. The structure is straightforward, with the subject being God's righteousness and law, and the predicates affirming their qualities.
The sentence flows logically, presenting God's righteousness first, followed by its eternal nature, and concluding with the truth of His law. This order emphasizes the foundational role of righteousness in the psalmist's understanding of God's character.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, צֶדֶק is rendered as δικαιοσύνη, which carries similar connotations of righteousness and justice. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of God's character across both Hebrew and Greek texts.
The term אֱמֶת is translated as ἀλήθεια, emphasizing the reliability and truthfulness of God's nature, reinforcing the psalmist's assertion of God's enduring truth.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:142 states that God's righteousness lasts forever and His law is true. This verse highlights the importance of God's character and His instructions for living a righteous life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's standard of righteousness does not change over time; it is constant and reliable.
The psalmist sees God's law as true and essential for guiding behavior and moral decisions.
Truth is crucial because it reflects God's faithfulness and stability, assuring believers of His unchanging nature.
We can strive to align our actions with God's standards, seeking justice and moral integrity in our daily conduct.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's righteousness reflected in my life and the world around me?
- How can I better understand and apply God's law in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean for me personally that God's truth is everlasting?
- How can I encourage others to recognize the importance of living according to God's principles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers often referenced this psalm to discuss the nature of God's righteousness and its implications for believers.
It is no wonder that they have forgotten the words of God, who have chosen to set up their own righteousness, ignorant of the righteousness of God;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:142 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness,.... Or, "is for ever" (z).
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 142. An everlasting righteousness; constant and unchangeable, the same in all ages and places, and to all persons, of eternal truth and justice, never to be dispensed with, nor to be made void. The truth; nothing but truth; or as true as truth itself.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:142 Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth.Ver. 142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness] When all other laws and sentences, though engraven in brass or marble, shall decay and determine, thy law lasteth for ever, and so shall they that observe it. And thy law is the truth] And therefore lasting. Mονιμονηαληθεια, saith Plato. The eternity of Israel cannot lie, 1 Samuel 15:29.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(142) Thy . . .—Better, Thy righteousness is right for ever, and Thy law is truth.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness] The word צדק tsedek is a word of very extensive meaning in the Bible. It signifies, not only God's inherent righteousness and perfection of nature, but also his method of treating others; his plan of redemption; his method of saving others. And the word δικαιοσυνη, which answers to it, in the Septuagint and in the New Testament, is used with the same latitude of meaning, and in the same sense; particularly in that remarkable passage, Romans 3:25-26, where see the notes. Thy merciful method of dealing with sinners and justifying the ungodly will last as long as the earth lasts; and thy law that witnesses this, in all its pages, is…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges142. is the truth] Is truth. Cp. Psalms 119:151; Psalms 119:160; Psalms 19:9; John 17:17.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness - It never changes.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.
Your justice endures, and your law is reliable.
Tyndale line
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Thy righteousnesse is an euerlasting righteousnes, and thy Lawe is trueth.
Strictly literal
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.
Thy righteousness [is] righteousness to the age, And Thy law [is] truth.
Your righteousness [is] righteousness for all time, || And Your law [is] truth.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Your justice is forever right, and your law is trustworthy.
Simplified
Your goodness and justice last forever; and your law is the truth.
Your righteousness is an unchanging righteousness, and your law is certain.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint in meaning, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the essential message remains consistent across the witnesses, affirming God's eternal righteousness and truth.
צִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[צדקת׳ך] [צדק] לעולם ותורת׳ך [אמת]
nothing on the leather here — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
צדקות צדקות עולם ותורת׳ך אמת
3 words on the leather — 2 partly restored.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:142
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) means 'righteousness' and encompasses various aspects such as justice, truthfulness, and ethical rightness. It can refer to God's attribute of sovereignty, righteousness in governance, and even justification or salvation. The term also implies righteous acts and has an Aramaic equivalent, צִדְקָה (tsid.qah).
צְדָקָה 157 n.f. righteousness
righteousness, in government
God's attribute as sovereign
righteousness, in a case or cause
righteousness = truthfulness
righteousness, as ethically right
righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.
pl. righteous acts
base
H6666 צְדָקָה righteousness . righteousness, in government
. God's attribute as sovereign
. righteousness, in a case or cause
. righteousness = truthfulness
. righteousness, as ethically right
. righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.
. pl. righteous acts
6666 tsdaqah tsed-aw-kaw'
from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude),
objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively
(prosperity):--justice, moderately, right(-eous)
(act, -ly, -ness).
see HEBREW for 06663
צְדָקָה (tse.da.qah) — righteousness.
1) justice, righteousness
1a) righteousness (in government)
1a1) of judge, ruler, king
1a2) of law
1a3) of Davidic king Messiah
1b) righteousness (of God's attribute)
1c) righteousness (in a case or cause)
1d) righteousness, truthfulness
1e) righteousness (as ethically right)
1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation
1f1) of God
1f2) prosperity (of people)
1g) righteous acts
Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
צֶ֫דֶק (tsedeq) refers to concepts of rightness and righteousness, encompassing moral, legal, and natural dimensions. It includes justice in governance, ethical correctness, and vindication in disputes. The term also suggests prosperity and deliverance, particularly in relation to God's covenant and the Messianic king. The entries consistently emphasize its broad application in both personal and societal contexts.
צֶ֫דֶק n.m. rightness, righteousness
what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures
righteousness, in government
righteousness, justice, in a case or cause
rightness, in speech
righteousness, as ethically right
righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity
base
H6664 צֶ֫דֶק rightness, righteousness . what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures
. righteousness, in government
. righteousness, justice, in a case or cause
. rightness, in speech
. righteousness, as ethically right
. righteousness, as vindicated, justification in controversy with enemies and troubles, deliverance, victory, prosperity
6664 tsedeq tseh'-dek
from 6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); also
(abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity:--X even, (X
that which is altogether) just(-ice), ((un-))right(-eous)
(cause, -ly, - ness).
see HEBREW for 06663
צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — righteousness.
1) justice, rightness, righteousness
1a) what is right or just or normal, rightness, justness (of weights and measures)
1b) righteousness (in government)
1b1) of judges, rulers, kings
1b2) of law
1b3) of Davidic king, Messiah
1b4) of Jerusalem as seat of just government
1b5) of God's attribute
1c) righteousness, justice (in case or cause)
1d) rightness (in speech)
1e) righteousness (as ethically right)
1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification (in controversy), deliverance, victory, prosperity
1f1) of God as covenant-keeping in redemption
1f2) in name of Messianic king
1f3) of people enjoying salvation
1f4) of Cyrus
צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq) — Righteousness.
This name means justice, righteousness
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
ri'-chus-nes (tsaddiq, adjective, "righteous," or occasionally "just" tsedheq, noun, occasionally = "riahteousness," occasionally = "justice"; dikaios, adjective, dikaiosune, noun, from dike, whose first meaning seems to have been "custom"; the general use suggested conformity to a standard: righteousness, "the state of him who is such as he ought to be" (Thayer)):
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent
2. Social Customs and Righteousness
3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power
4. Righteousness as Inner
5. Righteousness as Social
6. Righteousness as Expanding in Content with Growth in Ideals of Human Worth
LITERATURE
1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent:
In Christian thought the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changing element. The fixed element is the will to do right; the changing factor is the conception of…
Righteousness
See JUSTIFICATION.
Rectitude, justice, holiness; an essential perfection of God’s character, Job 36:3; Isa 51:5-8; Joh 17:25; and of his administration, Ge 18:25; Ro 3:21,22; 10:3. It is the wonder of grace that as the righteous guardian of the law, he can acquit the unrighteous. "The righteousness of Christ" includes his spotless holiness, his perfect obedience the law demands; and "the righteousness of faith" is that imputed to the sinner who believes in Christ. With reference to personal character, righteousness is used both for uprightness between man and man, and for true religion,
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.
אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness
reliability, sureness
stability, continuance
faithfulness, reliableness
truth
adv. in truth, truly
base
H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness
. stability, continuance
. faithfulness, reliableness
. truth
. adv. in truth, truly
571 'emeth eh'-meth
contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,
truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,
faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
see HEBREW for 0539
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.
: faithful
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.
: true
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.
: certain/fixed
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
trooth (`emeth, emunah, primary idea of "firmness," "stability" (compare Ex 17:12), hence "constancy," "faithfulness," etc.; the Septuagint's Apocrypha and the New Testament, aletheia (Ro 3:7), pistis (Ro 3:3); in adjectival and adverbial sense, "in truth," "of a truth," "faithful," etc.; alethos (Lu 21:3; Joh 6:14; 7:40; 1Th 2:13); alethinos (Joh 17:3); ontos (1Co 14:25); pistos (1Ti 3:1); in the King James…
Truth
Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called “the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:5), “the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, “I am the way, and the truth” (John 14:6).
- God is a God of
- Christ is
Joh 14:6; 7:18
- Christ was full of
- Christ spoke
- The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of