King James Version

What Does Psalms 35:28 Mean?

Psalms 35:28 in the King James Version says “And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 35:28 · KJV

Context

26

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

27

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. righteous: Heb. righteousness

28

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. This concluding verse of Psalm 35 returns to the personal commitment with which the psalm began. David's 'tongue'—the instrument that could have been used for complaint, cursing, or self-defense—will instead be devoted entirely to proclaiming God's righteousness and praise. The commitment is total ('all the day long') and dual-focused (righteousness and praise).

'Shall speak' (tehgeh, תֶּהְגֶּה) is related to the word for meditation (hagah, הָגָה) used in Psalm 1:2—'in his law doth he meditate day and night.' This speaking isn't casual mention but continual, thoughtful proclamation. The verb suggests sustained reflection that overflows into speech—from inner contemplation to outer testimony. David will meditate on God's character until praise becomes his native language.

'Thy righteousness' (tzidqatecha, צִדְקָתֶךָ) refers to God's just character and righteous actions—His faithfulness to His nature, His justice in judging, His covenant faithfulness in delivering. Throughout the psalm, David appealed to God's righteousness to vindicate him; now he commits to proclaim that righteousness publicly. Personal experience of God's justice becomes corporate testimony.

'All the day long' (kol hayom, כָּל־הַיּוֹם) emphasizes totality and continuity. Not occasional praise but constant testimony, not Sunday worship but Monday through Saturday proclamation. This echoes Moses' command: 'These words... shall be in thine heart... and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up' (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Faith isn't compartmentalized but comprehensive, affecting all of life's moments.

The verse models the purpose of divine deliverance: not merely personal relief but public testimony. God saves us not just for our benefit but so we'll proclaim His greatness to others. Peter writes that believers are 'a chosen generation... that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light' (1 Peter 2:9). Testimony is the natural overflow of redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, public testimony to God's acts was central to maintaining covenant identity. The exodus generation was commanded to tell their children what God had done (Exodus 10:2, 13:8), and festivals like Passover became annual opportunities for such testimony. The psalms themselves functioned as communal testimony—sung in temple worship, they reminded each generation of God's faithfulness and righteousness.

David's commitment to all-day proclamation reflects the centrality of oral culture in ancient societies. Without mass media or printing presses, truth transmission depended on spoken testimony. Elders at the city gate would recount God's mighty acts; parents around evening fires would tell children of divine faithfulness; pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem would sing of God's righteousness. This oral culture embedded theological truth in daily life through constant repetition.

The prophets later condemned Israel for failing to proclaim God's righteousness, instead speaking lies and injustice (Isaiah 59:3-4, Jeremiah 9:3-5). The tongue could be used for good (testimony, teaching, encouragement) or evil (slander, lies, gossip). James would later write extensively about the tongue's power: 'The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity' (James 3:6), yet also 'therewith bless we God' (James 3:9). David commits his tongue to its proper use—magnifying God.

Early Christians took this commitment seriously. Facing persecution, they 'ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ' (Acts 5:42). Paul wrote, 'I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak' (2 Corinthians 4:13). Despite threats, imprisonment, and martyrdom, believers proclaimed Christ's righteousness 'all the day long.' Their testimony, like David's, transformed personal deliverance into public declaration that attracted others to faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you devote your tongue—your words and conversations—to proclaiming God's righteousness?
  2. What does 'all the day long' testimony look like practically in modern life?
  3. In what ways might you be using your tongue for complaint rather than praise?
  4. How does meditation on God's righteousness naturally overflow into spoken testimony?
  5. What specific instances of God's deliverance in your life should you be proclaiming to others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי1 of 6

“And my tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

תֶּהְגֶּ֣ה2 of 6

“shall speak”

H1897

to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder

צִדְקֶ֑ךָ3 of 6

“of thy righteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

כָּל4 of 6
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַ֝יּוֹם5 of 6

“all the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃6 of 6

“and of thy praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 35:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 35:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 145:21Psalms 71:24Psalms 51:14-15Psalms 145:5Psalms 104:33-34Psalms 34:1

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 35 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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