Psalms 119:172 — Word Study
WLCתַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־ מִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃
BSAMy tonguelâshôwn [to speak, sing, or make music] singsʻânâh▸ of Your wordʼimrâh [a threat, warning, or promise from God] forkîy allkôl [everything, every single one] Your commandmentsmitsvâh [laws, rules, or guidelines given by God] are righteoustsedeq [just, fair, or having God's nature]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תַּ֣עַן | may it sing | Verb, Qal, jussive third person feminine singular |
| לְ֭שׁוֹנִי | tongue my | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ | word your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּ֖י | for | Particle |
| כָל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ | commandments your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| צֶּֽדֶק׃ | [are] righteousness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. |
| KJV | My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. |
| ASV | Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness. |
| YLT | My tongue doth sing of Thy saying, For all Thy commands [are] righteous. |
| WEB | Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness. |
| BBE | Let my tongue make songs in praise of your word; for all your teachings are righteousness. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of אִמְרָתֶךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that provides the reason for the singing.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָנָה
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 119:172
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 — The Praise of God's Wordgenerated
Psalm 119:172 is part of a longer meditation on the psalmist's relationship with God's laws, emphasizing the importance of His commandments in guiding behavior and thought. The psalmist's expression of praise through song highlights the joy found in adhering to divine instruction, connecting personal experience with broader theological themes of righteousness and justice found throughout Scripture.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:13–46 | With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth. |
| 2 | Psalm 37:30 | The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. |
| 3 | Psalm 40:9–10 | I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know. |
| 4 | Psalm 78:4 | We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 6:7 | And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּ֣עַן, Ta.'angenerated
The verb עָנָה (*anah*) is a jussive form, indicating a desire or wish — in this case, that the tongue may sing. It encompasses meanings of responding and singing, reflecting a dual nature of verbal and musical expression.
This word is used in contexts of praise and response, showing a connection between the act of singing and the acknowledgment of God's commandments. The psalmist uses this verb to express a heartfelt reaction to God's word, indicating that such praise is both a response to divine instruction and a form of worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations of this verse, including the Berean Standard Bible, KJV, and ASV, agree on the essence of the verse, emphasizing the act of singing and the righteousness of God's commandments.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is תַּ֣עַן, may it sing, which governs the subject and object: לְ֭שׁוֹנִי my tongue and אִמְרָתֶךָ Your word. The structure highlights the relationship between the act of singing and the content of God's word.
The clause follows a straightforward subject-verb-object order, emphasizing the psalmist's tongue as the instrument of praise directed toward God's commandments, which are affirmed as righteous.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תַּ֣עַן as φθέγχαιτο, which suggests a focus on the act of singing or proclaiming. This choice indicates a continuity of thought regarding the expression of praise and the nature of divine commandments.
The use of δικαιοσύνη for צֶדֶק in the Septuagint underscores the moral and just nature of God's laws, aligning with the psalmist's affirmation of righteousness.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:172 expresses the psalmist's joy in singing about God's word, stating that all of God's commandments are righteous. This verse highlights the importance of God's laws in guiding and shaping the believer's life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to God's commandments and teachings, which are seen as authoritative and guiding principles for life.
Singing reflects joy and gratitude for God's guidance, emphasizing the beauty and righteousness of His laws.
They are described as righteous, indicating that they align with God's nature and standards of justice.
The tongue symbolizes the psalmist's expression of praise, highlighting the importance of vocalizing worship and acknowledgment of God's word.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I express my gratitude for God's commandments in my daily life?
- How do I understand the righteousness of God's laws and their impact on my behavior?
- What role does singing or verbal praise play in my worship?
- How can I encourage others to recognize the value of God's word in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, referenced this verse to illustrate the importance of teaching and proclaiming God's word.
But as he has now learned, and praised God his Teacher, he next wishes to teach. "Yea, my tongue shall declare Your word: for all Your commandments are righteousness" [Psalms…Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:172 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy tongue shall speak of thy word,.... Of the word of God in general; of the truth of it, which he knew by certain experience; of the purity of it, tending to promote holiness of heart and life; of
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. My tongue shall speak of thy word - literally, 'shall answer thy Word;' respond to thy Word with praise.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 172. Shall speak, Heb. shall pour forth, freely and abundantly, like a fountain. Of thy word; in praise of it, for its righteousness, as it here follows, its truth, and purity, and other excellencies. Thy commandments; even those which to men of corrupted minds seem harsh and unjust.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness.Ver. 172. My tongue shall speak] True goodness is diffusive; charity is no churl.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(172) My tongue shall speak of Thy word.—Rather, My tongue shall make response to Thy word, that all Thy commandments are true.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word] There is a curious distinction here. In the preceding verse he says, "My lips shall utter;" here no reference is made to articulate sounds, except as affixed to musical notes. In this verse he says, "My tongue shall speak; " here articulate and intelligible words are intended. He first utters sounds connected with words expressive of his grateful feelings; in the second he speaks words, principally those which God himself had spoken, containing promises of support, purposes relative to the redemption of his people, and denunciations against their enemies.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges169–176. Tâv. Concluding petitions for understanding and deliverance, for the grace of thankfulness, for help and guidance.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy tongue shall speak of thy word - It shall speak of it in the language of praise; it shall speak of it in making it known to others.
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
My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
May my tongue sing about your instructions, for all your commands are just.
Tyndale line
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let my tongue sing of thy word; for all thy commandments are righteousness.
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
My tongue shall intreate of thy word: for all thy commandements are righteous.
Strictly literal
My tongue shall speak aloud of thy *word; for all thy commandments are righteousness.
My tongue doth sing of Thy saying, For all Thy commands [are] righteous.
My tongue sings of Your saying, || For all Your commands [are] righteous.
My tongue shall speak loudly of thy promise; for all thy commandments are righteous.
Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commandments are right.
Simplified
I will sing about your word, for all your commandments are right.
Let my tongue make songs in praise of your word; for all your teachings are righteousness.
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 reads, "תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־ מִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃" which translates to, "My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as it matches the word-by-word correspondence, although its structure and articles differ. The Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q5) also agree with the Masoretic Text, preserving the same essential wording with slight variations in spelling. Overall, all witnesses affirm the core message that the commandments are righteous, highlighting a strong textual consistency across these ancient sources.
תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־ מִצְוֹתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃
7 of the 7 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.
תענה לשונ׳י אמרת׳כה כי כול מצוותי׳כה צדק
7 words on the leather.
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 119:172
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.
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · jussive third person feminine singularHVqj3fs
The Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (*lashon*) primarily means 'tongue,' referring to both the organ of speech in humans and animals. It can also denote 'language' and has figurative uses, such as a 'tongue-shaped' wedge or bay. The entries highlight its literal and metaphorical applications, but do not present any significant disagreements among the lexicons.
לָשׁוֹן n.m. and (more oft.) f. tongue
tongue of men
= language
tongue of animals
tongue of fire
= (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold
= (tongue-shaped) bay of sea
base
H3956 לָשׁוֹן tongue . tongue of men
. = language
. tongue of animals
. tongue of fire
. = (tongue-shaped) wedge of gold
. = (tongue-shaped) bay of sea
3956 lashown law-shone'
or lashon {law-shone'}; also (in plural) feminine lshonah
{lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used
literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech),
and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of
water):--+ babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker,
tongue, wedge.
see HEBREW for 03960
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue.
: tongue/words
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: language.
: language
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) — tongue: bar.
: bar/projection/bay
1) tongue
1a) tongue (of men)
1a1) tongue (literal)
1a2) tongue (organ of speech)
1b) language
1c) tongue (of animals)
1d) tongue (of fire)
1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
N-cs | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixHNcbsc/Sp1bs
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.
מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment
base
H4687 מִצְוָה commandment
4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'
from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,
the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.
1) commandment
1a) commandment (of man)
1b) the commandment (of God)
1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/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)
N-ms — 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,
