Psalm 94

Introduction.—Ps. 94 appeals to God for an answer to the problem of the apparent triumph of the wicked (vs. 1–7), addresses unjust leaders who boast of God’s apparent aloofness from the problem (vs. 8–11), and finds an ultimate answer in God’s defense of the righteous and the final triumph of the right (vs. 12–23). The psalm is a guarantee that, despite appearances, justice will ultimately prevail (see Ps. 92). The LXX has in the superscription the phrase, “for the fourth day of the week.” Ps. 94 has the earmarks of a liturgical psalm.

1. Vengeance belongeth. The plea is repeated, emphasizing its earnestness.

Shew thyself. Heb. yaphaФ, “shine forth with splendor” (see Ps. 50:2; Ps. 80:1).

2. Lift up thyself. See Ps. 7:6.

Judge of the earth. See Gen. 18:25; Ps. 58:11.

Render a reward. See Ps. 28:4; Lam. 3:64.

3. How long? See Ps. 6:3; 13:1. Weary with the apparent supremacy of evil, the psalmist wonders why God is so slow in manifesting Himself.

5. Break in pieces. Or, “crush” (see Lam. 3:34; cf. Prov. 22:22; Isa. 3:15).

6. Slay the widow. The crimes referred to in this verse are peculiarly detestable, because these persons are feeble and unprotected (see Ps. 68:5; Ps. 82:3; Ex. 22:22–24; Deut. 10:18). The language seems to indicate that the oppressors are within the commonwealth of Israel.

7. They say. Not necessarily vocally, but by their conduct (see Ps. 10:11, 13).

The Lord. Heb. Yah (see on Ps. 68:4).

Shall not see. Verse 7 concludes the complaint and cry for recompense (see Ps. 14:1, 2).

8. Brutish. See Ps. 92:6; cf. Rom. 3:11.

11. Thoughts. See Ps. 7:9; 26:2; cf. 1 Cor. 3:20.

They. Masculine in the Hebrew and hence cannot refer to “thoughts,” which is feminine; men themselves are “vanity.”

Vanity. See Ps. 39:5, 6; cf. Eccl. 2:14, 15.

12. Blessed. See on Ps. 1:1. At first glance, this may appear to be a strange beatitude! Verses 12–19 present a remarkable galaxy of blessings that God bestows upon the righteous. He chastens, instructs, gives rest, never forsakes, judges righteously, helps against evil men, upholds in time of danger, and comforts (see Eph. 3:20). The experience of the psalmist seems to reinforce these statements of divine principle.

Chastenest. Heb. yasar, “discipline,” “correct,” “instruct,” “chastise.” See Deut. 8:5; Job 5:17; Ps. 89:32, 33; 119:71; cf. Job 33:15–30. If the Christian accepts discipline, he is happy! One of the chief values of chastening is that it gives the afflicted fuller sympathy with others.

Law. Heb. torah (see on Prov. 3:1).

13. Give him rest. Quietness and peace of mind are the result of accepting God’s way of life.

Days of adversity. See Ps. 49:5.

14. Not cast off. However long God’s chastising may persist, His faithful children may rest in the assurance that God will not forsake them (see Deut. 31:6; 1 Sam. 12:22; Ps. 37:28; Rom. 11:1, 2).

15. Shall return. Justice will once more conform to the eternal principles of God’s character and government.

Shall follow it. The upright will avow openly their allegiance to justice.

16. For me. In vs. 16–19 the psalmist apparently records his own experience, beginning his personal application with a question (v. 16), which he answers in vs. 17–19.

17. My soul. Or, “I” (see on Ps. 16:10).

In silence. That is, in death (see Ps. 31:17, 18; cf. Ps. 115:17).

19. Thoughts. Heb. sЊarФappim, “disquieting thoughts” (see Matt. 6:25–34; DA 313; MB 141–146).

Comforts. A firm trust in God removes anxious thoughts and replaces them with “comfortable thoughts.”

Delight. God’s comforts give peace and calm assurance (see Ps. 63:5, 6; 2 Cor. 1:3, 4; 1 Peter 5:7).

My soul. Or, “me” (see on Ps. 16:10).

20. Have fellowship. The rhetorical question demands a negative answer. The questions of vs. 3, 4 are satisfactorily answered in the destruction of the wicked.

Thee. God.

By a law. By legal statute, by court decree, they accomplish their nefarious purposes (see 1 Kings 21:10–13).

21. Soul. See on Ps. 16:10.

Condemn the innocent. See Ps. 10:8; cf. Matt. 27:4.

22. My defence. See Ps. 18:2.

23. Their own iniquity. See Ps. 7:16; 35:8.

In their own wickedness. While they are actually committing sinful acts (see Ps. 5:10).

Our God. The poet extends the personal note (v. 22) to include the congregation, the people, assembled for corporate worship.

Cut them off. The emphatic repetition lends summary force to the conclusion of the psalm (see v. 1).

Ellen G. White comments

14, 15, 21 PP 456

22 PP 413

23 PP 456