What Does Psalm 94:15 Mean in the King James?
But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Judgment returns to alignment, and straight-hearted people follow that restored order.
THE MEANING
When judgment returns to alignment in your life, uprightness shows itself as a heart moving after what is right. The verse joins discernment with inner direction: restored judgment draws straight-hearted people in its wake.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a judgment is right simply because it has been made; judgment itself must return to alignment.
THE ROOT
צֶדֶק
tsedeq
GROWS FROM
צדק
ts-d-q
To be just, right, or aligned.
“righteousness” in this verse is tsedeq. Tsedeq names rightness as alignment, the order toward which judgment returns. Its branch צַדִּיק (tzaddiq, a just or aligned person) illuminates why the straight-hearted are the ones who follow.
ALSO GROWS
tzaddiq: A just or aligned person
צַדִּיק
The verse’s upright-hearted followers embody the alignment toward which judgment returns.
tsedaqah: Righteousness or justice
צְדָקָה
This related form shows alignment expressed as right action.
מִשְׁפָּט
mishpat
GROWS FROM
שפט
sh-p-t
To judge, decide, or render a verdict.
Mishpat is something that can return: the verse makes judgment answerable to alignment rather than treating a verdict as right merely because it has been made. Its return connects the act of judging with the condition of justice.
ALSO GROWS
shaphat: To judge or govern
שָׁפַט
The verb shows the action behind judgment, which the verse places in motion toward alignment.
shofet: A judge
שֹׁפֵט
The person who judges carries the responsibility implied by judgment’s return to what is right.
יִשְׁרֵי
yishrei
GROWS FROM
ישר
To be straight, level, or upright.
Yishrei carries the image of straightness, making the heart’s direction visible. The upright follow after judgment returns to alignment, linking inner direction with the shape of justice.
ALSO GROWS
yashar: Straight or upright
יָשָׁר
It reveals the image underneath the description of the heart.
mishor: Level ground or a plain
מִישׁוֹר
The level-ground image echoes the straight course of judgment returned to alignment.
THE PATTERN
Judgment returns to alignment, and upright hearts follow the restored order.
And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.THE THREAD
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.Righteousness here is צְדָקָה (tsedaqah), from the same root צדק (ts-d-q) as צֶדֶק (tsedeq) in this verse. The shared root links judgment’s return to alignment with redemption through judgment and aligned action.
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