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"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24).
Tzedakah (צְדָקָה) means "righteousness." This word deals with "relational" or "interpersonal" characters. In the HB, God's righteousness is one of the most important themes. Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means "fairness" or "justice" in human lives, especially in matters of social justice. This word connotes judgment in a legal claim. Other judgment-related Hebrew words are shapat, din, or riv.
In sum, tzedakah denotes relationships, righteousness being the condition of who one is, as God is righteous and just. That is, how we relate to one another and to God. But mishpat refers to the need for balance, equilibrium, equity, or fairness. So righteousness is indeed the source of justice. There is no justice without righteousness.
In Amos 5:24, Amos uses his poetic imagination to challenge Israelites to live with justice and righteousness. Justice must run like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Justice roars loudly. God does not want festivals, burnt offerings, or noisy music. God wants to hear a big sound of justice rolling like a river. "Waters" symbolizes the vibrant, dynamic power of justice, especially economic justice for all.
Then, the prophet gives us another poetic image of the stream and relates it to righteousness. A stream lies in the lowest valley and flows steadily and quietly. And the source of a stream is rain from above. This image of a stream means that we must be humble before God and others because who we are is possible because of God's grace. In this regard, righteousness is a relational language that seeks God's way in everyday life as in a never-drying stream.