94 1 He prayeth unto God against the violence and arrogance of tyrants, 10 warning them of God’s judgments. 12 Then doth he comfort the afflicted by the good issue of their afflictions, as he felt in himself, and did set in others, and by the ruin of the wicked, 23 whom the Lord will destroy.

O Lord God [a]the avenger, O God the avenger, show thyself [b]clearly.

Exalt thyself, O Judge of the world, and render a reward to the proud.

Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked [c]triumph?

They prate and speak fiercely: all the workers of iniquity vaunt themselves.

They [d]smite down thy people, O Lord, and trouble thine heritage.

They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

[e]Yet they say, The Lord shall not see: neither will the God of Jacob regard it.

Understand, ye unwise among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

He that [f]planted the ear, shall he not hear? or he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

10 Or he that chastiseth the [g]nations, shall he not correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall he not know?

11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

12 Blessed is the man whom thou [h]chastisest, O Lord, and teachest him in thy Law,

13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of evil, while the pit is dug for the wicked.

14 Surely the Lord will not fail his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15 For [i]judgment shall return to justice, and all the upright in heart shall follow after it.

16 Who will rise up with me against the wicked? or who will take my part against the workers of iniquity?

17 If the Lord had not [j]helped me, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

18 When I said, [k]My foot slideth, thy mercy, O Lord, stayed me.

19 In the multitude of my [l]thoughts in mine heart, thy comforts have rejoiced my soul.

20 Hath the throne of iniquity [m]fellowship with thee, which forgeth wrong for a Law?

21 They gather them together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

22 But the Lord is my refuge, and my God is the rock of mine hope.

23 And he will recompense them their wickedness, and [n]destroy them in their own malice, yea, the Lord our God shall destroy them.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 94:1 Whose office it is to take vengeance on the wicked.
  2. Psalm 94:1 Show by effect that thou art Judge of the world to punish the wicked.
  3. Psalm 94:3 That is, brag of their cruelty and oppression: or esteem themselves above all others.
  4. Psalm 94:5 Seeing the Church was then so sore oppressed, it ought not to seem strange to us, if we see it so now, and therefore we must call to God, to take our cause in hand.
  5. Psalm 94:7 He showeth that they are desperate in malice, forasmuch as they feared not God, but gave themselves wholly to do wickedly.
  6. Psalm 94:9 He showeth that it is impossible, but God should hear, see, and understand their wickedness.
  7. Psalm 94:10 If God punish whole nations for their sins, it is mere folly for any one man, or else a few to think that God will spare them.
  8. Psalm 94:12 God hath care over his, and chastised them for their wealth, that they should not perish forever with the wicked.
  9. Psalm 94:15 God will restore the state and government of things to their right use, and then the Godly shall follow him cheerfully.
  10. Psalm 94:17 He complaineth of them which would not help him to resist the enemies: yet was assured that God’s help would not fail.
  11. Psalm 94:18 When I thought there was no way but death.
  12. Psalm 94:19 In my trouble and distress I ever found thy present help.
  13. Psalm 94:20 Though the wicked judges pretend justice in oppressing the Church, yet they have not that authority of God.
  14. Psalm 94:23 It is a great token of God’s judgment when the purpose of the wicked is broken, but most, when they are destroyed in their own malice.

Psalm 94

The Lord is a God who avenges.(A)
    O God who avenges, shine forth.(B)
Rise up,(C) Judge(D) of the earth;
    pay back(E) to the proud what they deserve.
How long, Lord, will the wicked,
    how long will the wicked be jubilant?(F)

They pour out arrogant(G) words;
    all the evildoers are full of boasting.(H)
They crush your people,(I) Lord;
    they oppress your inheritance.(J)
They slay the widow(K) and the foreigner;
    they murder the fatherless.(L)
They say, “The Lord does not see;(M)
    the God of Jacob(N) takes no notice.”

Take notice, you senseless ones(O) among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?(P)
10 Does he who disciplines(Q) nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches(R) mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;(S)
    he knows that they are futile.(T)

12 Blessed is the one you discipline,(U) Lord,
    the one you teach(V) from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,(W)
    till a pit(X) is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;(Y)
    he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,(Z)
    and all the upright in heart(AA) will follow it.

16 Who will rise up(AB) for me against the wicked?
    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?(AC)
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,(AD)
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.(AE)
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,(AF)
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety(AG) was great within me,
    your consolation(AH) brought me joy.

20 Can a corrupt throne(AI) be allied with you—
    a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?(AJ)
21 The wicked band together(AK) against the righteous
    and condemn the innocent(AL) to death.(AM)
22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
    and my God the rock(AN) in whom I take refuge.(AO)
23 He will repay(AP) them for their sins
    and destroy(AQ) them for their wickedness;
    the Lord our God will destroy them.