Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. 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). Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. 2. Lift up thyself—or, "Arise," both figures representing God as heretofore indifferent (compare Ps 3:7; 22:16, 20).
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 3, 4. In an earnest expostulation he expresses his desire that the insolent triumph of the wicked may be ended.
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 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).
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 7. Their cruelty is only exceeded by their wicked and absurd presumption (Ps 10:11; 59:7).
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 8. ye brutish—(Compare Ps 73:22; 92:6).
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 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.
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; 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.
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. 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.
But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 16. These questions imply that none other than God will help (Ps 60:9),
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. 17-19. a fact fully confirmed by his past experience.
dwelt in silence—as in the grave (Ps 31:17). When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. 19. my thoughts—or, anxious cares.
Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? 20. throne—power, rulers.
iniquity [and] mischief—both denote evils done to others, as Ps 94:21 explains. They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 22, 23. Yet he is safe in God's care.
defence—(Ps 59:9). rock of … refuge—(Ps 9:9; 18:2). And 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. 23. bring … iniquity—(Compare Ps 5:10; 7:16). in their … wickedness—while they are engaged in evil doing. |
