The eightfold Tsade. God rules righteously and faithfully according to His word, for which the poet is accordingly zealous, although young and despised. The predicate ישׂר in Psalm 119:137 precedes its subject משׁפּטיך (God's decisions in word and in deed) in the primary form (after the model of the verbal clause Psalm 124:5), just as in German [and English] the predicative adjective remains undeclined. The accusatives צדק and אמוּנה in Psalm 119:138 are not predicative (Hitzig), to which the former ("as righteousness") - not the latter however - is not suited, but adverbial accusatives (in righteousness, in faithfulness), and מאד according to its position is subordinate to ואמונה as a virtual adjective (cf. Isaiah 47:9): the requirements of the revealed law proceed from a disposition towards and mode of dealing with men which is strictly determined by His holiness (צדק), and beyond measure faithfully and honestly designs the well-being of men (אמונה מאד). To see this good law of God despised by his persecutors stirs the poet up with a zeal, which brings him, from their side, to the brink of extreme destruction (Psalm 69:10, cf. צמתּת, Psalm 88:17). God's own utterance is indeed without spot, and therefore not to be carped at; it is pure, fire-proved, noblest metal (Psalm 18:31; Psalm 12:7), therefore he loves it, and does not, though young (lxx νεώτερος, Vulgate adolescentulus) and lightly esteemed, care for the remonstrances of his proud opponents who are old and more learned than himself (the organization of Psalm 119:141 is like Psalm 119:95, and frequently). The righteousness (צדקה) of the God of revelation becomes eternal righteousness (צדק), and His law remains eternal truth (אמת). צדקה is here the name of the attribute and of the action that is conditioned in accordance with it; צדק the name of the state that thoroughly accords with the idea of that which is right. So too in Psalm 119:144 : צדק are Jahve's testimonies for ever, so that all creatures must give glory to their harmony with that which is absolutely right. To look ever deeper and deeper into this their perfection is the growing life of the spirit. The poet prays for this vivifying insight.

Psalm 119:144 Parallel Commentaries

righteousness

Psalm 119:138,152 Your testimonies that you have commanded are righteous and very faithful...

Matthew 5:18 For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one stroke or one pronunciation mark shall in no wise pass from the law...

1 Peter 1:23-25 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever...

give me

Psalm 119:34,66,73,169 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart...

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts...

1 John 5:20,21 And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true...

understanding

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Isaiah 6:9,10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not...

Isaiah 27:11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire...

Jeremiah 4:22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are silly children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil...

Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand...

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you...

Matthew 13:19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one...

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.