Psalms 35:28 Meaning: When Your Tongue Talks of Righteousness All Day
My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
And my tongue shall talk of thy righteousness Andof thy praise all the day long.
And my tongue uttereth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy praise!
And my tongue shall talk of thy righteousness, [and] of thy praise, all the day.
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean to speak of God's righteousness all day long? This verse invites a life of constant awareness, not just nonstop talking.
Context
Psalm 35 is a raw prayer of David. He is surrounded by enemies who hate him without cause, people who returned his kindness with cruelty. In the first 27 verses, he cries out to God for vindication: “Judge me, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness” (v.24). He asks that those who favor his righteous cause would shout for joy. Then, as if catching his breath, he closes with a vow. Verse 28 is his promise to respond, not just once, but continually. After all the pain and pleading, David lands on this: his tongue will speak of God’s righteousness and praise all day long. It is not a command to us, but a picture of what a delivered heart looks like.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for “talk” here is hagah. It does not mean a loud public speech. It means to mutter, to murmur, to turn something over in your mind until it comes out your lips. The same word is used in Psalm 1:2, the blessed person meditates on God’s law day and night. So the praise David promises is more like a quiet, steady stream than a shout from a stage.
“Righteousness” is tzedeq, the same word David used in verse 24 when he asked God to judge him according to your righteousness. It means God’s faithful, saving justice. Not a cold courtroom term, but the warmth of a God who sets things right for His people.
“Praise” is tehillah. It is the word that names the whole book of Psalms, Tehillim. This is the praise that bubbles up when you see what God has done.
Together, these words paint a picture. You do not have to plan a sermon in your head. You can learn to mutter gratitude all through the ordinary minutes of your day.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have heard this verse as an invitation to a constant heart. Barnes described it as “continually, constantly; every new proof of the kindness of God would lead to new acts of praise.” The Cambridge Bible notes that the Hebrew verb suggests “the low murmur of one entranced by a sweet thought”, a meditative wonder that lasts beyond the worship service. Calvin saw it as David’s promise of lifelong thanksgiving after deliverance, while Matthew Henry emphasized that the tongue, once so full of complaint, now runs over with praise. All agree: this is not a frantic duty but a natural overflow.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this as a command to chant “Praise God” every waking second, which feels impossible and exhausting. In fact, the Hebrew word hagah means to mutter or meditate, not to shout continuously. The verse describes a life soaked in awareness of God’s faithfulness, not a performance of nonstop speech. You can fulfill this promise while washing dishes or waiting at a traffic light.
Living This Out
Think of one moment this week when you are tempted to mutter something else, a complaint, a worry, a sharp reply. In that same breath, try a different mutter. Whisper, “You are righteous, Lord.” Or simply, “Thank You.” That is hagah. It does not need to be long or loud. It just needs to be real. Start with the morning commute or the five minutes before you fall asleep. Let your tongue practice what your heart is learning: that God’s righteousness is worth talking about, even in a whisper.
Main takeaway: God’s righteousness is worthy of your constant attention and your everyday words, not just your Sunday songs.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
David promised to talk about God’s goodness all day long. That doesn’t mean you have to talk nonstop. It means you can whisper a thank You to God when you see something good. Try it at lunch today.
For ages 9, 12
David’s word for “talk” in this verse actually means to mutter or meditate. It’s like when you can’t stop thinking about something good that happened, and you just keep murmuring about it under your breath. This week, when you feel like complaining about school or chores, stop and mutter one thing God did for you instead. It changes your whole day.
Questions People Ask
Does 'all day long' mean I have to praise God every second of the day?
Not literally. The Hebrew verb hagah means to mutter or meditate, not to shout nonstop. It describes a steady habit of returning your thoughts to God's goodness, not a frantic performance. Even brief, quiet moments of gratitude count as 'all day long' if they come from a life that keeps turning toward Him.
What does the word 'hagah' tell us about this kind of praise?
Hagah means to mutter, murmur, or speak quietly to yourself. It is the same word used in Psalm 1 for meditating on God's law. This suggests that the praise David promises is more like an inner conversation that spills out naturally, not a loud proclamation. It fits the ordinary moments of life.
Why does David talk about God's 'righteousness' here?
In the rest of Psalm 35, David has asked God to vindicate him 'according to your righteousness' (v.24). So when he says his tongue will talk about God's righteousness, he means God's faithful, saving justice. It is not an abstract idea; it is what God actually did when He delivered David.
How can I apply this verse in a busy, stressful life?
Start small. Choose one routine moment, brushing your teeth, driving to work, waiting in line, and use it to mutter a one-sentence thank You to God. Over time, those small moments build a habit. The verse does not ask you to add another task to your list. It invites you to turn the thoughts you already have toward God.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study