Psalms 143:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist requests that God not judge him according to a standard of perfect righteousness, which no human can meet.
The Context of Psalms 143:2
An acknowledgment that humans cannot stand on their own moral record before God.
What Does Psalms 143:2 Mean?
The speaker pleads with God not to bring him into judgment. This is not a request for justice in the formal sense but a prayer to escape condemnation based on moral perfection. The psalmist recognizes that standing before God's perfect standard would result in failure for any human being.
This verse expresses a profound spiritual truth: no one, measured against God's absolute righteousness, would survive scrutiny. Rather than claiming innocence, the psalmist acknowledges human weakness and appeals to God's mercy. This establishes the framework for the psalm: the conversation is not about worthiness but about grace.
Psalms 143:2 in the Original Language
tsidaq (צָדַק), 'justified' — to be declared righteous or in the right; implying a legal judgment of acquittal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 143:2
What does Psalms 143:2 mean?
The psalmist requests that God not judge him according to a standard of perfect righteousness, which no human can meet.
What is the context of Psalms 143:2?
An acknowledgment that humans cannot stand on their own moral record before God.