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“... righteousness [sedaqah] and judgment [mispat] are the habitation of his throne” (Psalm 97:2).
“Blessed are they that keep judgment [mispat], and he that doeth righteousness [sedaqah] at all times” (Psalm 106:3).
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment [mispat] and with justice [sedaqah] from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness [sedaq], and princes shall rule in judgment [mispat]” (Isaiah 32:1).
“The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment [mispat] and righteousness [sedaqah]” (Isaiah 33:5).
Judgment and justice (or righteousness) lie at the heart of God’s law. He is a God of judgment and righteousness, and He demands that man exercise judgment and righteousness in every type of dealing.
Mispat refers to every aspect of justice: “divine law, individual or collective, including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty” (Strong). Mispat is law and order. Mispat refers to the law of God itself (“statues and judgments [mispat], which I teach,” De. 4:1) and it refers to the right use and application of the law of God and decisions based on the law.
Sedeq or sedaqah means “blameless conduct, integrity; right actions and right attitudes, as expected from God” (Complete Word Study Bible). Sedeq or sedaqah are translated “righteous” about 90 times in Scripture. It is also translated “just” (Le. 19:15) and “justice” (Job 8:3).
Judgment [mispat] is the law and application of the law and decisions based on the law, and righteousness [sedaqah] is right conduct based on the law.
Judgment and righteousness encompass all right doing before God and right dealings with man, such as truth, honesty, purity, holiness, equity, love, kindness, mercy, retribution of law breaking, deliverance of the oppressed (Pr. 31:8-9), and care for the needy (Ps. 82:3-4). Judgment and righteousness lie at the heart of God’s rule. Justice [sedeq] and judgment [mispat] are the habitation of God’s throne (Ps. 89:14). He is a God of judgment and righteousness, and He demands that men exercise judgment and righteousness in every type of dealing. Mispat is used 81 times in the law of Moses (Exodus to Deuteronomy), and sedeq/sedaqah about 20 times.
David exercised judgment [mispat] and justice [sedeqah] (1 Ch. 18:14).
Judgment and righteousness are fundamental characteristics of Christ’s eternal kingdom. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment [mispat] and with justice [sedeqah] from henceforth even for ever” (Isa. 9:7). “Give the king thy judgments [mispat], O God, and thy righteousness [sedaqah] unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment” (Psalm 72:1-2).
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