What does it mean that "all Your commandments are righteous"? Setting the Verse in Context Psalm 119:172: “My tongue will sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.” The psalmist is celebrating God’s word in the longest psalm of Scripture. Here he bursts into praise because every command God has given is characterized by absolute righteousness. Unpacking the Key Phrase • “All” — not most, not nearly all, but every single directive that proceeds from God. • “Your commandments” — the whole range of God-given statutes, precepts, testimonies, ordinances, and laws. • “Are righteous” — they perfectly align with God’s own moral purity and justice; they are intrinsically right and produce right living. Why Every Command Is Righteous 1. Flows from God’s Character • Psalm 145:17: “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.” • Because God is wholly righteous, anything He commands must share that quality. 2. Inherently True and Reliable • Psalm 33:4: “For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy.” • Proverbs 30:5: “Every word of God is flawless.” 3. Enduring Standard • Psalm 119:160: “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.” • God’s commands never expire or become outdated. 4. Beneficial in Their Effect • Psalm 19:7-9: the law revives the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes. • Romans 7:12: “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” 5. Revealing the Path to Life • Deuteronomy 6:24: God commanded “for our good always, and for our survival.” • None of God’s commands are arbitrary; each one is designed for humanity’s flourishing. Living in Light of This Truth • Confidence: Approach every biblical command convinced it is right, good, and trustworthy. • Submission: Bend our will to God’s revealed will, even when culture or feelings push back. • Praise: Like the psalmist, let the righteousness of God’s commands become fuel for worship. • Proclamation: Speak and sing God’s word with assurance, knowing we are declaring what is always right. • Discernment: Measure every human idea, tradition, or opinion against the righteous benchmark of Scripture. Key Takeaways • God’s commands mirror His perfect righteousness. • Their righteousness is comprehensive (“all”), innate (“are”), and unchanging. • Accepting this truth anchors our faith, guides our conduct, and ignites our praise. |
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