Psalms 94
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David (Heb 4:7) exhorts men to praise God for His greatness, and warns them, in God's words, against neglecting His service. (Psa 95:1-11) The terms used to express the highest kind of joy. rock--a firm basis, giving certainty of salvation (Psa 62:7).
Open source ↗O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth,.... As it does to God, and to him only; not to Heathen deities, one of which has the name of Vengeance given it, Act 28:4, nor to Satan, the enemy and avenger, and his spiteful principalities and powers; nor to men, who are not to exercise private revenge on their fellow creatures; only to civil magistrates, to whom public revenge belongs, they being God's viceregents, and representing him; otherwise to God only it belongs, against whom sin is committed; and he will, in his own time and way, execute it; he is "the God of revenges" (e), as the words may be rendered; and this is applicable to Christ, who is the true Jehovah, and God over all: it was he that took vengeance on Sodom and Gomorrah, and rained from the Lord fire and brimstone on them; and who took vengeance on the inventions of the Israelites in the wilderness; and when he came in the flesh, he came with vengeance to destroy Satan and his works, as it was promised and prophesied he should, Isa 35:4, forty years after his death, resurrection, and ascension, he came in his power and kingdom, and took vengeance on the Jewish nation, for their unbelief and rejection of him, Luk 21:22, and at the opening of the sixth seal his wrath came upon Rome Pagan in a manner intolerable to them, for their cruel persecutions of his church and people; and the cry of the souls under the altar was much like what is uttered in this psalm; see Rev 6:9, and at the time of his spiritual coming and reign he will avenge the blood of his saints on Rome Papal, or antichrist, whom he will destroy with the breath of his mouth, and the saints will be called upon to rejoice, and will rejoice, when they see the vengeance, Rev 18:20 and his personal coming will be in flaming fire, to take vengeance on t…
Open source ↗The first strophe prays that God would at length put a judicial restraint upon the arrogance of ungodliness. Instead of חופיע (a less frequent form of the imperative for הופע, Ges. ֗53, rem. 3) it was perhaps originally written הופיעה (Psa 80:2), the He of which has been lost owing to the He that follows. The plural נקמות signifies not merely single instances of taking vengeance (Eze 25:17, cf. supra Psa 18:48), but also intensively complete revenge or recompense (Jdg 11:36; Sa2 4:8). The designation of God is similar to אל גּמלות in Jer 51:56, and the anadiplosis is like Psa 94:3, Psa 94:23, Psa 93:1, Psa 93:3. הנּשׂא, lift Thyself up, arise, viz., in judicial majesty, calls to mind Psa 7:7. השׁיב גּמוּל is construed with על (cf. ל, Psa 28:4; 59:18) as in Joe 3:4. With גּאים accidentally accord ἀγαυός and κύδεΐ γαίων in the epic poets.
Open source ↗In these verses we have, I. A solemn appeal to God against the cruel oppressors of his people, Psa 94:1, Psa 94:2. This speaks terror enough to them, that they have the prayers of God's people against them, who cry day and night to him to avenge them of their adversaries; and shall he not avenge them speedily? Luk 18:3, Luk 18:7. Observe here, 1. The titles they give to God for the encouraging of their faith in this appeal: O God! to whom vengeance belongeth; and thou Judge of the earth. We may with boldness appeal to him; for, (1.) He is judge, supreme judge, judge alone, from whom every man's judgment proceeds. He that gives law gives sentence upon every man according to his works, by the rule of that law. He has prepared his throne for judgment. He has indeed appointed magistrates to be avengers under him (Rom 13:4), but he is the avenger in chief, to whom even magistrates themselves are accountable; his throne is the last refuge (the dernier ressort, as the law speaks) of oppressed innocency. He is universal judge, not of this city or country only, but judge of the earth, of the whole earth: none are exempt from his jurisdiction; nor can it be alleged against an appeal to him in any court that it is coram non judice - before a person not judicially qualified. (2.) He is just. As he has authority to avenge wrong, so it is his nature, and property, and honour. This also is implied in the title here given to him and repeated with such an emphasis, O God! to whom vengeance belongs, who wilt not suffer might always to prevail against right. This is a good reason why we must not avenge ourselves, because God has said, Vengeance is mine; and it is daring presumption to usurp his prerogative and step into his throne, Rom 12:19. Let this alarm those who do wrong, whether wit…
Open source ↗Ps 94 This plea for the Lord’s justice includes both communal and individual expressions of lament (94:1-7, 16-23). The psalmist gives voice to the pain and suffering caused by the wicked, but he also depicts the comfort and stability of the Lord’s protection. He calls on the Lord to avenge the needy against the arrogant and foolish, he rebukes such people for their folly (94:8-11), and he pronounces a blessing on the wise (94:12-15). 94:1-7 After the community falls victim to the wicked (94:5-7), they pray that the Lord will render justice (see 7:11; 9:12).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) נְקָמָה (nᵉqâmâh, H5360) — avengement, whether the act of the passion יָפַע (yâphaʻ, H3313) — to shine
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… גְּמוּל (gᵉmûwl, H1576) — treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital גֵּאֶה (gêʼeh, H1343) — lofty; figuratively, arrogant
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person עָלַז (ʻâlaz, H5937) — to jump for joy, i.e. exult
Open source ↗נָבַע (nâbaʻ, H5042) — to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עָתָק (ʻâthâq, H6277) — impudent פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗דָּכָא (dâkâʼ, H1792) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אַלְמָנָה (ʼalmânâh, H490) — a widow; also a desolate place גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner רָצַח (râtsach, H7523) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder יָתוֹם (yâthôwm, H3490) — a bereaved person
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
Open source ↗בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly שָׂכַל (sâkal, H7919) — to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
Open source ↗נָטַע (nâṭaʻ, H5193) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively) אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3335) — to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
Open source ↗יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗אֶשֶׁר (ʼesher, H835) — happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy! גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct יָהּ (Yâhh, H3050) — Jah, the sacred name לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שַׁחַת (shachath, H7845) — a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction כָּרָה (kârâh, H3738) — properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָטַשׁ (nâṭash, H5203) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Listen to the fugitives and refugees from the land of Babylon, declaring in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance for His temple.
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.