Unknown
Psalm 94
Scripture (KJV)
1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
2Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.
3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.
15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
22But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.
23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
Summary
Psalm 94 is a passionate plea for divine justice, addressed to the God to whom vengeance belongs. The psalmist asks God to show Himself, lift Himself up as judge of the earth, and render a reward to the proud. He cries, "LORD, how long shall the wicked triumph?" The wicked utter hard things, boast, break in pieces God’s people, slay the widow, stranger, and fatherless, and say in their hearts, "The LORD shall not see." The psalmist exposes their folly with devastating logic: He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
The turning point comes in verse 12: "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law." God’s discipline gives rest from days of adversity, and the LORD will not cast off His people or forsake His inheritance. Judgment shall return to righteousness, and the upright in heart shall follow it. The psalmist confesses that unless the LORD had been his help, his soul would have dwelt in silence. When his foot slipped, God’s mercy held him up; in the multitude of his thoughts, God’s comforts delighted his soul. The LORD is his defense and the rock of his refuge, and He will bring the wicked’s own iniquity upon them.
The major themes are divine justice, God’s omniscience, discipline, mercy, and refuge. Practically, the psalm teaches that the God who planted the ear and formed the eye sees and hears all injustice, and that His discipline is a blessing that leads to rest. The great lesson is that the LORD is my defense and the rock of my refuge.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 94
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs, show Yourself. Lift Yourself up, You judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud. How long shall the wicked triumph? They break in pieces Your people and afflict Your heritage; they slay the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless, and say, "The LORD shall not see." But He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? You know the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, and teach out of Your law. Give me rest from days of adversity. Do not cast off Your people or forsake Your inheritance. When my foot slips, let Your mercy hold me up. In the multitude of my thoughts, let Your comforts delight my soul. You are my defense and the rock of my refuge. Bring upon the wicked their own iniquity, and cut them off in their own wickedness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the logic of verse 9—"He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?"—reassure me?
- 2What does it mean that the man God chastens is blessed?
- 3Where have I experienced God’s mercy holding me up when my foot slipped?
- 4How can God’s comforts delight my soul amid a multitude of anxious thoughts?
Related Psalms
Psalm 10
“Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?”
A lament over the arrogance of the wicked and a plea for God to act for the helpless.
Read morePsalm 11
“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?”
Confidence in God despite counsel to flee; the Lord’s throne endures.
Read morePsalm 12
“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
A cry against deceitful speech and a trust in God’s pure words.
Read morePsalm 37
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
Trust, delight, and wait; the meek inherit the land.
Read morePsalm 58
“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?”
A protest against unjust rulers and confidence in God’s righteous judgment.
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