And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

PSALMS 35:28KJV
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Psalms 35:28 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:28 mean?

Psalms 35:28 describes the psalmist’s commitment to speak about God’s righteousness and to praise God continually throughout the day. The verse expresses a promise to use one’s words to highlight God’s just character and to offer praise without ceasing.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God during a time of trouble, asking for deliverance from his enemies. After calling for God’s help, David ends with this declaration, showing his intention to respond to God’s righteousness with ongoing praise. The verse highlights how David’s trust in God leads him to focus on God’s goodness and justice, even when facing hardship.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:28

  • "Tongue" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon): This word refers to speech or language. Here, it emphasizes that David’s spoken words, not just his thoughts, will be used to honor God.
  • "Speak" (הָגָה, hagah): This word often means to meditate, utter, or muse. In this context, it suggests not just casual talk, but a thoughtful, ongoing declaration about God.
  • "Righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word points to God’s just and fair actions. David is highlighting God’s moral uprightness, especially in how God deals with people.
  • "Praise" (תְּהִלָּה, tehillah): This word means praise or song of praise. It emphasizes joyful, public acknowledgment of God’s greatness.
  • "Day" (יוֹם, yom): This word means "day," and the phrase "all the day long" stresses that David’s praise is not occasional but constant.

Why Psalms 35:28 matters

  • The verse clarifies that praise and acknowledgment of God’s justice are meant to be ongoing, not limited to moments of blessing or rescue.
  • By focusing on God’s righteousness (צֶדֶק, tsedeq), the verse connects personal experience with a larger truth about God’s character, showing that even in hardship, God’s fairness can be trusted.
  • Psalms 35:28 serves as a fitting conclusion to a psalm filled with distress, reminding readers that praise can be a response to God’s faithfulness, regardless of circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“speak” Hebrew H1897 · used in 24 verses

  • Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
  • Psalms 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
  • Isaiah 16:7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.

“praise” Hebrew H8416 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
  • Psalms 71:6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
  • Isaiah 42:10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

“tongue” Hebrew H3956 · used in 115 verses

  • Genesis 10:5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
  • Psalms 45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
  • Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.