Psalms 94

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 94

1¶ O 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?

4[How 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.

12¶ Blessed [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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The psalmist appeals to God, to whom vengeance belongs, to judge the wicked who oppress His people and disregard His sight. He rebukes the foolish for doubting God's omniscience, asserting that the Creator of senses surely perceives all. The psalm then declares the blessing of divine chastening and assures that the Lord will not forsake His inheritance, ultimately bringing justice and cutting off the wicked.

Medium Summary

Psalms 94 begins with an earnest plea to the Lord, the God of vengeance, to manifest His judgment against the proud and wicked who triumph and speak hard things. The psalmist laments the oppression of God's people, including the widow, stranger, and fatherless, by those who falsely believe God does not see their actions. He then challenges this ignorance, asserting God's omniscience as the Creator of the ear and eye, and the one who teaches man knowledge. The psalm blesses those whom God chastens and teaches His law, promising them rest from adversity. It affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His people, declaring that judgment will return unto righteousness. Finally, the psalmist expresses personal reliance on God as his defense and refuge, confident that the Lord will bring the wicked's iniquity upon themselves and cut them off.

Long Summary

Psalms 94 opens with a fervent invocation to the LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs, imploring Him to reveal Himself as the judge of the earth and render justice to the proud. The psalmist questions the prolonged triumph of the wicked, who utter hard things, boast in iniquity, and cruelly oppress God's heritage, specifically mentioning the slaying of the widow, stranger, and fatherless. A central grievance is the wicked's arrogant assertion that the LORD does not see or regard their deeds. The psalm then pivots to a sharp rebuke of the "brutish" and "fools" among the people, challenging their lack of understanding by rhetorically asking if the Creator of the ear and eye can fail to hear or see. It further asserts that God, who chastises nations and imparts knowledge to man, surely knows the vanity of human thoughts. A shift in tone highlights the blessedness of the man whom the LORD chastens and teaches from His law, promising him rest from adversity until the wicked are prepared for destruction. The psalmist firmly declares that the LORD will not cast off His people nor forsake His inheritance, assuring that judgment will ultimately return unto righteousness, followed by all the upright in heart. Expressing a personal cry for help, the psalmist asks who will stand against evildoers, immediately acknowledging that without the LORD's help, his soul would have perished in silence. He recounts how God's mercy upheld him when he felt his foot slipping and how divine comforts delighted his soul amidst a multitude of troubling thoughts. The psalm concludes by questioning whether a "throne of iniquity," which frames mischief by law, can have fellowship with God, noting how such powers conspire against the righteous and condemn innocent blood. With unwavering faith, the psalmist proclaims the LORD as his defense and rock of refuge, confident that God will bring the wicked's own iniquity upon them and utterly cut them off.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Vengeance and JusticeThe psalmist repeatedly calls upon God, to whom vengeance belongs, to act as the judge of the earth and render a just reward to the proud and wicked who oppress the innocent. This concept emphasizes God's role as the ultimate arbiter of justice against unrighteousness.
  • Omniscience of GodThe psalm strongly refutes the wicked's belief that God does not see or regard their actions, arguing that the Creator of the ear and eye must surely hear and see all things. It highlights God's perfect knowledge of human thoughts and deeds.
  • Oppression of the WickedThe chapter vividly describes the actions of the wicked, who triumph, speak hard things, boast, break God's people, and murder the vulnerable like widows, strangers, and the fatherless. This illustrates the pervasive nature of injustice in the world.
  • Blessing of Divine ChasteningThe psalmist declares a blessing upon those whom the Lord chastens and teaches from His law, indicating that God's discipline leads to rest from adversity and prepares one for a future where the wicked are judged. This concept presents God's correction as a benevolent act.
  • God's Unwavering FaithfulnessDespite the prevalence of evil, the psalm assures that the Lord will not cast off His people nor forsake His inheritance. It affirms God's steadfast commitment to His covenant and the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
  • God as Refuge and DefenseThe psalmist personally testifies to God's role as his help, mercy, comfort, defense, and rock of refuge in times of trouble and doubt. This emphasizes the intimate and protective relationship between God and the righteous individual.
  • Condemnation of Unjust AuthorityThe psalm questions whether a "throne of iniquity," which frames mischief by law, can have fellowship with God, highlighting the divine opposition to governmental or societal structures that promote injustice and condemn the innocent.