Psalms 119:137

STROPHE 18

LIKE HIMSELF; GOD'S LAW IS RIGHTEOUS; THE PSALMIST IS VERY ZEALOUS FOR IT; DOES NOT FORGET IT

Tsade

"Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,

And upright are thy judgments.

Thou has commanded thy testimonies in righteousness

And very faithfulness.

My zeal hath consumed me,

Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.

Thy word is very pure;

Therefore thy servant loveth it.

I am small and despised;

Yet do I not forget thy precepts.

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

And thy law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me;

For thy commandments are my delight.

Thy testimonies are righteous forever:

Give me understanding, and I shall live."

The feature of this stanza is its emphasis upon the righteousness of God (Psalms 119:137), followed by an extension of this principle as applied to God's Word, mentioned in a number of synonyms.

God's judgments are upright (Psalms 119:137).

His testimonies are righteous (Psalms 119:138).

God's righteousness is everlasting (Psalms 119:142).

All of his law is truth (Psalms 119:142).

His commandments are a delight (Psalms 119:143).

His testimonies are eternal (Psalms 119:144).

Burns' conclusion from this was that, all of God's testimonies effectively declare his righteousness, "And therefore are to be depended upon by man."[47]