Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 94 » Verse 1-23

Psalms 94:1-23 American Standard (ASV)

1 O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.

2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: Render to the proud `their' desert.

3 Jehovah, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph?

4 They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.

5 They break in pieces thy people, O Jehovah, And afflict thy heritage.

6 They slay the widow and the sojourner, And murder the fatherless.

7 And they say, Jehovah will not see, Neither will the God of Jacob consider.

8 Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise?

9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

10 He that chastiseth the nations, shall not he correct, `Even' he that teacheth man knowledge?

11 Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jehovah, And teachest out of thy law;

13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked.

14 For Jehovah will not cast off his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15 For judgment shall return unto righteousness; And all the upright in heart shall follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

17 Unless Jehovah had been my help, My soul had soon dwelt in silence.

18 When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, held me up.

19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.

20 Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee, Which frameth mischief by statute?

21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood.

22 But Jehovah hath been my high tower, And my God the rock of my refuge.

23 And he hath brought upon them their own iniquity, And will cut them off in their own wickedness; Jehovah our God will cut them off.

Commentary on Psalms 94 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 94

Ps 94:1-23. The writer, appealing to God in view of the oppression of enemies, rebukes them for their wickedness and folly, and encourages himself, in the confidence that God will punish evildoers, and favor His people.

1, 2. God's revenge is His judicial infliction of righteous punishment.

show thyself—(Compare Margin).

2. Lift up thyself—or, "Arise," both figures representing God as heretofore indifferent (compare Ps 3:7; 22:16, 20).

3, 4. In an earnest expostulation he expresses his desire that the insolent triumph of the wicked may be ended.

5, 6. thy people [and] thine heritage—are synonymous, the people being often called God's heritage. As justice to the weak is a sign of the best government, their oppression is a sign of the worst (De 10:18; Isa 10:2).

7. Their cruelty is only exceeded by their wicked and absurd presumption (Ps 10:11; 59:7).

8. ye brutish—(Compare Ps 73:22; 92:6).

9-11. The evidence of God's providential government is found in His creative power and omniscience, which also assure us that He can punish the wicked in regard to all their vain purposes.

12, 13. On the other hand He favors though He chastens, the pious, and will teach and preserve them till the prosperous wicked are overthrown.

14, 15. This results from His abiding love (De 32:15), which is further evinced by His restoring order in His government, whose right administration will be approved by the good.

16. These questions imply that none other than God will help (Ps 60:9),

17-19. a fact fully confirmed by his past experience.

dwelt in silence—as in the grave (Ps 31:17).

19. my thoughts—or, anxious cares.

20. throne—power, rulers.

iniquity [and] mischief—both denote evils done to others, as Ps 94:21 explains.

22, 23. Yet he is safe in God's care.

defence—(Ps 59:9).

rock of … refuge—(Ps 9:9; 18:2).

23. bring … iniquity—(Compare Ps 5:10; 7:16).

in their … wickedness—while they are engaged in evil doing.