1 God of vengeance -- Jehovah! God of vengeance, shine forth.
2 Be lifted up, O Judge of the earth, Send back a recompence on the proud.
3 Till when `do' the wicked, O Jehovah? Till when do the wicked exult?
4 They utter -- they speak an old saw, All working iniquity do boast themselves.
5 Thy people, O Jehovah, they bruise, And Thine inheritance they afflict.
6 Widow and sojourner they slay, And fatherless ones they murder.
7 And they say, `Jehovah doth not see, And the God of Jacob doth not consider.'
8 Consider, ye brutish among the people, And ye foolish, when do ye act wisely?
9 He who planteth the ear doth He not hear? He who formeth the eye doth He not see?
10 He who is instructing nations, Doth He not reprove? He who is teaching man knowledge `is' Jehovah.
11 He knoweth the thoughts of man, that they `are' vanity.
12 O the happiness of the man Whom Thou instructest, O Jah, And out of Thy law teachest him,
13 To give rest to him from days of evil, While a pit is digged for the wicked.
14 For Jehovah leaveth not His people, And His inheritance forsaketh not.
15 For to righteousness judgment turneth back, And after it all the upright of heart,
16 Who riseth up for me with evil doers? Who stationeth himself for me with workers of iniquity?
17 Unless Jehovah `were' a help to me, My soul had almost inhabited silence.
18 If I have said, `My foot hath slipped,' Thy kindness, O Jehovah, supporteth me.
19 In the abundance of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul.
20 Is a throne of mischief joined `with' Thee? A framer of perverseness by statute?
21 They decree against the soul of the righteous, And innocent blood declare wicked.
22 And Jehovah is for a high place to me, And my God `is' for a rock -- my refuge,
23 And turneth back on them their iniquity, And in their wickedness cutteth them off; Jehovah our God doth cut them off!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 94
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.