1 Yahweh, you God to whom vengeance belongs, You God to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth.
2 Rise up, you judge of the earth. Pay back the proud what they deserve.
3 Yahweh, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?
4 They pour out arrogant words. All the evil-doers boast.
5 They break your people in pieces, Yahweh, And afflict your heritage.
6 They kill the widow and the alien, And murder the fatherless.
7 They say, "Yah will not see, Neither will Jacob's God consider."
8 Consider, you senseless among the people; You fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who implanted the ear, won't he hear? He who formed the eye, won't he see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, won't he punish? He who teaches man knows.
11 Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, Yah, And teach out of your law;
13 That you may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For Yahweh won't reject his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15 For judgment will return to righteousness. All the upright in heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand up for me against the evil-doers?
17 Unless Yahweh had been my help, My soul would have soon lived in silence.
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping!" Your loving kindness, Yahweh, held me up.
19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
20 Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with you, Which brings about mischief by statute?
21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood.
22 But Yahweh has been my high tower, My God, the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought on them their own iniquity, And will cut them off in their own wickedness. Yahweh, our God, will 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.