Psalms 119:138 — Word Study
WLCצִ֭וִּיתָ צֶ֣דֶק עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
BSAThe testimoniesʻêdâh [divine witness, laws] You have laid downtsâvâh■ [commanded, appointed] are righteoustsedeq [just, morally upright] and altogethermᵉʼôd [very, exceedingly] faithfulʼĕmûwnâh [trustworthy, secure, having faithfulness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צִ֭וִּיתָ | you commanded | Verb, Piel, perfect second person masculine singular |
| צֶ֣דֶק | righteousness | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ | testimonies your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה | and faithfulness | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מְאֹֽד׃ | much | Adv |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful. |
| KJV | Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. |
| ASV | Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness. |
| YLT | Thou hast appointed Thy testimonies, Righteous and exceeding faithful, |
| WEB | You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy. |
| BBE | You have given your unchanging word in righteousness, and it is for ever. |
Where they part company is מְאֹֽד — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two descriptive phrases following. The structure highlights the qualities of God's testimonies as central to the verse.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbצָוָה
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 119:138
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 Testimoniesgenerated
Psalm 119:138 is part of a longer reflection on the nature of God's laws and testimonies. The psalmist expresses confidence in the righteousness of God's commands, emphasizing their reliability and moral integrity. This meditation is situated within a series of verses that celebrate God's justice and the importance of adhering to His instructions, as seen in the surrounding verses like Psalm 119:137 and Psalm 119:139.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:86–144 | All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me! |
| 2 | Psalm 19:7–9 | The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 4:8–45 | And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צִ֭וִּיתָ, Tzi.vi.tagenerated
The word צָוָה (tsavah) is a Piel verb meaning 'to command' or 'to give orders'. It indicates an authoritative directive, often from God to His people. This term is used frequently throughout the Old Testament to convey God's commands and appointments, highlighting His role as the ultimate authority.
In this verse, the psalmist acknowledges that the commands given by God are not arbitrary; they are righteous and just, reflecting God's moral character. The use of the second person masculine singular indicates a direct address to God, affirming His role as the one who commands.
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. The BSB has laid down, which is consistent across several translations, including the KJV and ASV.
Where others part company with the BSB is in the rendering of מְאֹֽד. The KJV, ASV, and others use very, while the ILT and LSV opt for exceedingly, showing a slight difference in emphasis but agreement on the overall meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb צִ֭וִּיתָ (you commanded) governs the entire verse, with a noun phrase following that serves as the object: עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ (your testimonies). The structure emphasizes the authority of God's commands and their inherent qualities of righteousness and faithfulness.
The order of the phrases highlights the relationship between God's commands and their attributes, placing the emphasis on the righteousness and faithfulness of the testimonies as a direct result of God's commands.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word צָוָה is rendered as ἐνετείλω (enetēlō), meaning 'I commanded'. This choice reflects a direct translation that maintains the authoritative tone of the original Hebrew.
The LXX translation emphasizes the continuity of God's commands across both the Hebrew and Greek texts, reinforcing the idea of divine authority and the righteousness of the laws given.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:138 tells us that God's testimonies, which are His commands, are righteous and completely trustworthy. The psalmist emphasizes that these laws reflect God's just nature and are reliable for guiding our lives.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's laws reflect His moral character and are just, providing a standard for right behavior.
Faithfulness indicates that God's commands are reliable and trustworthy, providing assurance that He will uphold His promises.
We can strive to align our actions with God's standards of justice and morality, reflecting His righteousness in our conduct.
It signifies that God has established His laws as authoritative guidelines for His people, meant to be followed and adhered to.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's righteousness reflected in His commands?
- How can I demonstrate faithfulness in my commitments to God and others?
- What steps can I take to better understand and follow God's testimonies in my daily life?
- How does recognizing the authority of God's commands impact my decisions and actions?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:138 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThy testimonies that thou hast commanded [are] righteous,.... The Scriptures are holy, just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are for instruction in righteousness,
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 138. But this verse is otherwise rendered by all the ancient interpreters, and by divers others, and that more agreeably to the order of the words in the Hebrew text, Thou hast commanded righteousness, even thy testimonies (or, the righteousness of thy testimonies; or, thy righteous testimonies, by a common Hebraism; or rather, righteousness in or by thy testimonies; nothing being more frequent than the ellipsis of the prefix beth, which signifies in or by) and truth, (or, and true, thy righteous and true testimonies; although the other seems to be the better translation,) earnestly. So the sense is, Thou hast strictly and severely, under the highest obligations and penalties…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:138 Thy testimonies [that] thou hast commanded [are] righteous and very faithful.Ver. 138. Thy testimonies which thou hast commanded] i.e. The gospel, as Isaiah 8:20. And the commandment thereof to hear Christ, Matthew 17:5, and to believe in his name, 1 John 3:23; this is a faithful and true saying, 1 Timothy 1:15, not avengelaion, as the Jews blasphemously call it, or fabula de Christo, a fable about Christ, as that blackmouthed pope.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(138) Thy testimonies.—Better, Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and very faithfulness. But unquestionably another arrangement of the text of these two verses is correct. It takes the verb commandest with Psalms 119:137, and gets the simple and obvious “righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright in the judgments which Thou hast commanded. Thy testimonies are righteous, and faithful to the uttermost” (Burgess). (See Psalms 7:6 and Psalms 119:144.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 138. Thy testimonies] Every thing that proceeds from thee partakes of the perfections of thy nature.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges138. Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And faithfulness to the uttermost. Cp. Psalms 119:86; Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:144; Psalms 119:151; Deuteronomy 4:8. God’s commandments which bear witness to His Will and man’s duty are the expression of His absolute righteousness and of that faithfulness to His covenant which is an inalienable element of that righteousness. Cp. 2 Timothy 2:13.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThy testimonies that thou hast commanded - Thy law, considered as a testimony as to what is right and best.
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
The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.
You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.
The rules you impose are just, and absolutely reliable.
Tyndale line
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness and very faithfulness.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Thou hast commanded iustice by thy testimonies and trueth especially.
Strictly literal
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.
Thou hast appointed Thy testimonies, Righteous and exceeding faithful,
You have appointed Your testimonies, || Righteous and exceedingly faithful,
Thou hast commanded thy testimonies, as righteous and faithful exceedingly.
You have given your covenant decrees righteously and faithfully.
Simplified
You have given your instructions which are fair and totally trustworthy.
You have given your unchanging word in righteousness, and it is for ever.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 צִ֭וִּיתָ עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃, while the Septuagint matches four of the five words. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with one word partly restored and others supplied by an editor, but they agree on the core message of the verse.
צִ֭וִּיתָ צֶ֣דֶק עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶֽאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
4 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.
צוית צדק [עדתי׳ך] [ואמונה] [מאד]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
צויתה צדק עדוותי׳כה ואמונה מואד׳ה
5 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 119:138
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.
צָוָה (tsavah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to command or give orders. It is built from a primitive root and primarily used in the Piel form, indicating actions like appointing or charging someone with a task. The entries highlight its various applications, including laying charges and sending messengers. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.
[צָוָה] 485 vb. Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
base
H6680 צָוָה Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
6680 tsavah tsaw-vaw'
a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute,
enjoin:--appoint, (for-)bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give
in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put,
(set) in order.
צָוָה (tsa.vah) — to command.
1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order
1a)(Piel)
1a1) to lay charge upon
1a2) to give charge to, give command to
1a3) to give charge unto
1a4) to give charge over, appoint
1a5) to give charge, command
1a6) to charge, command
1a7) to charge, commission
1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act)
1b) (Pual) to be commanded
V-Piel-Perf-2ms — Verb · Piel · perfect second person masculine singularHVpp2ms
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 constructHNcmsc
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,
עֵדָה (edah) refers to 'testimony' or 'witness' and is noted for being used only in the plural form in the context of divine testimonies. It is derived from the feminine form of another Hebrew word, עֵד (ed), which also relates to witness. The entries consistently emphasize its technical sense in legal and religious contexts.
עֵדָה n.f. testimony, witness
base
[עֵדָה] n.f. only pl. MT testimonies
base
H5713a עֵדָה testimony, witness H5713b עֵדָה only pl. MT testimonies
5713 `edah ay-daw'
feminine of 5707 in its techn. sense; testimony:--
testimony, witness. Compare 5712.
see HEBREW for 05707
see HEBREW for 05712
עֵדָה (e.dah) — witness.
testimony, witness
עֵדָה (e.dah) — testimony.
always plural and always of laws as divine testimonies
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (*emuwnah*) is built from the root of H529, indicating concepts of firmness and steadfastness. It encompasses meanings such as fidelity, trust, and stability. The entries consistently highlight its moral implications, particularly in relation to faithfulness.
אֱמוּנָה n.f. firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
lit. firmness, steadiness
steadfastness
faithfulness, trust
base
H530 אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity . lit. firmness, steadiness
. steadfastness
. faithfulness, trust
530 'emuwnah em-oo-naw'); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'
feminine of 529; literally firmness; figuratively security;
morally fidelity:--faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set
office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
see HEBREW for 0529
אֱמוּנָה (e.mu.nah) — faithfulness.
firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
An infinite attribute of Jehovah; adapted to make perfect both the confidence of those who believe his word and rely on his promises, and the despair of those who doubt his word and defy his threatenings, De 28:26 Nu 23:19 Ps 89:33-34 Heb 10:23.
→ EXHORTATION TO Ps 12:1; 31:23; Pr 20:6; 28:20; Mt 10:22; 24:45-47; 25:14-23; Lu 12:42-44; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; 1Co 4:2; Re 2:10
See OBEDIENCE, EXHORTATION TO
See PERSEVERANCE
See MINISTERS, FAITHFUL
See REPROOF, FAITHFULNESS IN
→ INSTANCES OF
Abraham Ga 3:9
Moses Heb 3:5
David 2Sa 22:22-25
Elijah 1Ki 19:10,14
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or
without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,
speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,
especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
adv
1) exceedingly, much
subst
2) might, force, abundance
n m
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
3a) force, might
3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
3b1) exceedingly
3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
3b3) with muchness, muchness
Adv — AdvHAcmsa