Bible Strands
Psalms 119:172
My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, declaring that his tongue will sing of God's word because every commandment is righteous. This statement bridges his prior confession that his lips pour forth praise and his immediate plea for God's ready hand to help.
The words — The Hebrew verb תַּ֣עַן (Ta.'an) literally means "may it sing," attached to לְ֭שׁוֹנִ/י (Le.sho.n/i) for "my tongue," framing vocal praise as a deliberate act. The conjunction כִּ֖י (ki) introduces the ground for this praise: כָל\־ מִצְוֹתֶ֣י/ךָ (mitz.vo.Tei./kha) "all your commandments" are defined by צֶּֽדֶק\׃ (Tze.dek), "righteousness."
The thread — The link between righteous divine instruction and righteous human speech recurs in Psalms 37:30, where the mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and speaks justice. The New Testament mirrors this expectation in Ephesians 4:29, which restricts speech to only what builds up those in need.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to align vocal expression with the moral character of God's commands, treating praise as a response to objective righteousness rather than subjective feeling. It demands that speech be evaluated by its fidelity to divine instruction and its utility in strengthening others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Cross-references
- Romans 7:14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
- Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
- Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
- Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- Psalms 119:138 The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.
- Psalms 119:142 Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.
- Psalms 40:9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know.
- Psalms 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.
- Psalms 119:13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.