Psalm 89:14
New International Version
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

New Living Translation
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

English Standard Version
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Berean Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.

King James Bible
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

New King James Version
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

New American Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before You.

NASB 1995
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.

NASB 1977
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.

Legacy Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.

Amplified Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.

Christian Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; faithful love and truth go before you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; faithful love and truth go before You.

American Standard Version
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face.

Contemporary English Version
Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness with love and faithfulness leading the way.

English Revised Version
Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of thy throne: mercy and truth go before thy face.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. Mercy and truth stand in front of you.

Good News Translation
Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness are shown in all you do.

International Standard Version
Righteousness and justice make up the foundation of your throne; gracious love and truth meet before you.

Majority Standard Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.

NET Bible
Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.

New Heart English Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.

Webster's Bible Translation
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

World English Bible
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Righteousness and judgment "" [Are] the fixed place of Your throne, "" Kindness and truth go before Your face.

Young's Literal Translation
Righteousness and judgment Are the fixed place of Thy throne, Kindness and truth go before Thy face.

Smith's Literal Translation
Justice and judgment the preparing of thy throne: mercy and truth shall anticipate thy face.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Justice and judgment are the preparation of your throne. Mercy and truth will precede your face.

New American Bible
Justice and judgment are the foundation of your throne; mercy and faithfulness march before you.

New Revised Standard Version
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thy throne is built on righteousness and judgment; mercy and truth go before thy face.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Your throne is established in righteousness and in judgment, in grace and in truth before your face.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne; Mercy and truth go before Thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Justice and judgment are the establishment of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Sing of His Love Forever
13Mighty is Your arm; strong is Your hand. Your right hand is exalted. 14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You. 15Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.…

Cross References
Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Amos 5:24
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Isaiah 16:5
in loving devotion a throne will be established in the tent of David. A judge seeking justice and hastening righteousness will sit on it in faithfulness.

Proverbs 16:12
Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Isaiah 33:5-6
The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. / He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.

Isaiah 11:4-5
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. / Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Romans 3:25-26
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. / He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Romans 1:17
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”


Treasury of Scripture

Justice and judgment are the habitation of your throne: mercy and truth shall go before your face.

justice

Psalm 45:6,7
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre…

Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

Psalm 99:4
The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

habitation.

Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

mercy

Psalm 89:2
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Psalm 85:13
Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Jump to Previous
Face Faith Faithfulness Fixed Foundation Good Habitation Judging Judgment Justice Kindness Kingdom Loving Mercy Resting Right Righteousness Seat Steadfast Throne Truth
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Face Faith Faithfulness Fixed Foundation Good Habitation Judging Judgment Justice Kindness Kingdom Loving Mercy Resting Right Righteousness Seat Steadfast Throne Truth
Psalm 89
1. The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5. For his wonderful power
15. For the care of his church
19. For his favor to the kingdom of David
38. Then complaining of contrary events
46. He expostulates, prays, and blesses God.














Righteousness and justice
The Hebrew words for "righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tzedek) and "justice" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) are foundational to the character of God as depicted throughout the Bible. "Righteousness" refers to the moral purity and ethical standards that God embodies and expects from His creation. It is a state of being right with God, aligning with His will and commands. "Justice," on the other hand, involves the fair and equitable treatment of all individuals, ensuring that everyone receives what is due to them. Together, these terms underscore the divine order and governance that God establishes, reflecting His holy nature and His desire for a world where His principles are upheld.

are the foundation of Your throne
The imagery of a "throne" signifies authority, sovereignty, and kingship. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a throne was not just a seat of power but a symbol of the ruler's legitimacy and the stability of their reign. By stating that righteousness and justice are the "foundation" of God's throne, the psalmist emphasizes that God's rule is inherently moral and just. Unlike earthly rulers who may be swayed by corruption or partiality, God's governance is unshakeable and rooted in His perfect nature. This assurance provides believers with confidence in God's ultimate control and the eventual triumph of His righteous order.

loving devotion and faithfulness
The Hebrew words for "loving devotion" (חֶסֶד, chesed) and "faithfulness" (אֱמוּנָה, emunah) are often paired in Scripture to describe God's covenantal relationship with His people. "Loving devotion" conveys steadfast love, mercy, and kindness, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His people. It is a love that is active, enduring, and selfless. "Faithfulness" speaks to God's reliability and trustworthiness, His consistent nature in fulfilling His word. Together, these attributes highlight the relational aspect of God's character, assuring believers of His enduring presence and support.

go before You
The phrase "go before You" suggests the idea of preparation and precedence. In biblical times, a king's entourage would often go ahead to prepare the way, ensuring that the path was clear and safe. Here, it implies that God's loving devotion and faithfulness are not only inherent qualities but also active forces that pave the way for His interactions with humanity. They are the guiding principles that precede His actions, ensuring that everything He does is marked by love and reliability. This provides believers with the assurance that God's dealings with them are always motivated by His steadfast love and unwavering faithfulness.

(14) Habitation.--Rather, foundation, or pillars. Righteousness and judgment support God's throne, and mercy and truth ("those genii of sacred history") precede (present tense, not future) Him as forerunners precede a king.

Verse 14 - Justice and judgment; or, righteousness and justice (Cheyne). The psalmist here rises to a higher level - from that of might to that of right. God is not merely strong to do whatever he wills; but all that he wills is consonant with right and justice. Are the habitation of thy throne; rather, the basis, or "foundation." (So Kay, Cheyne, and the Revised Version.) Mercy and truth shall go before thy face; i.e. shall stand ever in front of thee; be thy inseparable companions. Whatever thou doest shall be done "in truth and equity."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Righteousness
צֶ֣דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

and justice
וּ֭מִשְׁפָּט (ū·miš·pāṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

are the foundation
מְכ֣וֹן (mə·ḵō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4349: A fixture, a basis, a place, as an abode

of Your throne;
כִּסְאֶ֑ךָ (kis·’e·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

loving devotion
חֶ֥סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

and truth
וֶ֝אֱמֶ֗ת (we·’ĕ·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

go
יְֽקַדְּמ֥וּ (yə·qad·də·mū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6923: To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet

before You.
פָנֶֽיךָ׃ (p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT Poetry: Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 89:13
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