In Psalm 15:2, King David outlines the standards for those who seek to dwell with God, including the requirement that a person's works must be righteousness, or *tsedeq* (H6664). This Hebrew term is relational, describing how one treats others, and can be translated as faithfulness, honesty, fairness, or justice, depending on the context. It conveys the idea of conforming to an accepted standard of proper interaction, such as God's law. A person embodies *tsedeq* when honoring parents, thus adhering to the fifth commandment, or when being faithful to agreements, honest in dealings, fair in treatment of others, and just in judgments. True righteousness in a person's works is evident when they mirror God's own deeds toward others.

The Hebrew word translated as righteousness, pronounced roughly as *tsawdak* or *tsedeq* (H6664), conveys the concept of equity. It embodies the imagery of a scale in perfect balance, indicating that a righteous person is balanced when measured against God's way, which serves as the ultimate standard. This understanding of righteousness as equity highlights a harmony with the Greek term *dikaios*, which similarly means to divide each its due, reinforcing the idea of perfect balance. Thus, righteousness, as represented by *tsedeq*, extends beyond mere adherence to codified law, encompassing a broader alignment with God's standards and instructions.

The Hebrew word for righteousness, *tsedeq*, phonetically pronounced as *tsawdak*, conveys the image of equity, something that is even and in perfect balance, like a scale in equal poise. This concept aligns closely with the Greek word for righteousness, *dikaios*, which also means equity, to divide to each his due, signifying perfect balance. When it is stated that all of God's commandments are righteousness, it encompasses not just the Ten Commandments but also the statutes, judgments, customs, rituals, and all general instruction. Righteousness, as defined by *tsedeq*, extends beyond mere adherence to law; it involves right doing, acting in the way God would if He were in the same situation. As one learns and practices righteousness, God's standard of righteousness becomes the measure of one's conscience, adjusting the feelings and permissions of the heart to align with divine will.