Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that God's fundamental nature as "righteous" directly flows into the character of His commands as "right." This isn't just about God being good and His rules being good; it's about His very essence making His rulings just, meaning His judgments are a pure reflection of who He is.
Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist is in the midst of a long poem celebrating God's law, and here he proclaims God's absolute righteousness. This declaration stems from a deep conviction that God's commands and judgments are inherently just, reflecting His character. The verses immediately following will expand on this, detailing the Psalmist's fervent love for God's word and his zeal against those who disregard it.
Have you ever wondered if God is truly fair? This verse gives us a powerful assurance.
The verse opens with a declaration about God's very being: "Righteous are you, O LORD." This isn't just about His actions; it's about His essential nature. Everything God is, and everything He does, flows from His perfect righteousness.
Why can we trust God's commands? This verse connects His perfect nature to His perfect law.
The second part of the verse says, "and right are your rules." This directly links God's inherent righteousness to the guidance He provides for our lives.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
tsaddiyq · Hebrew Adjective
Characterized by integrity, virtue, and conformity to God's standard of holiness; it describes God’s nature as perfectly just and true.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people as revealed in the Scriptures.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Divine decisions, judgments, or ordinances given by God; these are the standards by which He governs the world and His people.
This verse directly echoes Psalm 119:137, highlighting that the 'rules' or ordinances of the LORD are not only righteous but also pure and trustworthy.
Deuteronomy 32:4This passage affirms God's perfect nature, stating 'His work is perfect, and all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.' This reinforces the Psalmist's declaration about God's inherent righteousness and the rightness of His judgments.
Romans 7:12Paul, reflecting on the law, states 'So then the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.' This mirrors the sentiment of Psalm 119:137 by affirming the inherent goodness and righteousness of God's commands from a New Testament perspective.
1 John 1:9This verse speaks to God's faithfulness and righteousness in forgiving sins, stating 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' It connects by showing God's righteous character in His dealings with His people, just as the Psalmist declares His judgments are right.
cambridgePsalms 119:137: "TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments."
137 . Righteous ] This fundamental attribute of the Author of the law necessarily determines its character in all its aspects. Cp. Psalm 19:9 . upright are &c.] R.V. marg. upright in thy judgements is a possible but less obvious construction. 137–144 . Tsâdç . The righteousness, purity, and truth of God’s law command the Psalmist’s deepest love and reverence.
pulpitPsalms 119:137: "TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments."
Verse 137. - Righteous art thou, O Lord (comp. Psalm 7:9; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 25:8; Psalm 116:5; Psalm 145:17). And upright are thy judgments (see vers. 106, 160, 164).
The verse emphasizes that God's fundamental nature as "righteous" directly flows into the character of His commands as "right." This isn't just about God being good and His rules being good; it's about His very essence making His rulings just, meaning His judgments are a pure reflection of who He is.
The Psalmist is in the midst of a long poem celebrating God's law, and here he proclaims God's absolute righteousness. This declaration stems from a deep conviction that God's commands and judgments are inherently just, reflecting His character. The verses immediately following will expand on this, detailing the Psalmist's fervent love for God's word and his zeal against those who disregard it.
The Psalmist is in the midst of a long poem celebrating God's law, and here he proclaims God's absolute righteousness. This declaration stems from a deep conviction that God's commands and judgments are inherently just, reflecting His character. The verses immediately following will expand on this, detailing the Psalmist's fervent love for God's word and his zeal against those who disregard it.
"Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules." — The verse emphasizes that God's fundamental nature as "righteous" directly flows into the character of His commands as "right." This isn't just about God being good and His rules being good; it's abo…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026