The Psalmist is looking round for help or assistance against the common enemy; but finding none, he looks to the Lord. It is blessed to be stripped of all creature-help and creature-confidence, that we may be constrained to look wholly unto the Lord! read more
12-23 That man is blessed, who, under the chastening of the Lord, is taught his will and his truths, from his holy word, and by the Holy Spirit. He should see mercy through his sufferings. There is a rest remaining for the people of God after the days of their adversity, which shall not last always. He that sends the trouble, will send the rest. The psalmist found succour and relief only in the Lord, when all earthly friends failed. We are beholden, not only to God's power, but to his pity, for... read more
Against Tyrants in the Church. The psalmist, whose name is not given, appeals to God in view of the oppression of the adversaries, who included not only the enemies from without, but also the tyrants within the external organization of the Church. v. 1. O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show Thyself. The statement yielding all judicial power to the Lord alone is followed by the request that He should shine forth, make known His judicial authority by... read more
Psalms 94:01 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth;O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.2 Lift up thyself, thou Judge of the earth:Render a reward to the proud.3 Lord, 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?5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord,And afflict thine heritage.6 They slay the widow and the stranger,And murder the... read more
the Lord Our Defense against Evil-Doers Psalms 94:6-23 Let us ponder all the great things that God will do for them that trust Him. He planted the ear, and will detect the sigh, sob, or broken utterance of His child, Psalms 94:9 . He formed the eye, and He knows our sorrows. He watches the sparrow’s fall, and His child is of more value than many sparrows. He corrects us; shall we not be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live, Psalms 94:10 ? He knows our thoughts; let us ask Him to... read more
The placing of this song immediately after the one which sets forth the fact of the enthronement of Jehovah is remarkable. It creates a contrast, while it suggests a continuity of ideas. The contrast is seen in the fact that while the previous psalm celebrates the victory of Jehovah over all opposition, this one is an appeal to Him out of circumstances in which His enemies seem to triumph. The continuity of ideas is however, equally apparent. To who should His own turn in times of such... read more
XCIV. A Prayer for Vengeance on Oppressive Rulers and for Deliverance from them. Psalms 94:1-Joshua : . The wickedness of the arrogant. The bad rulers here are evidently Jews. They are oppressors, not invaders, and their offences against the moral law are just those which the prophets had denounced in the Israel of their day. Psalms 94:7-1 Kings : . The practical (see on Psalms 14), not theoretical atheism of the arrogant. They thought God did not care for men’ s conduct. As if He who planted... read more
In the place of silence, to wit, the grave. Compare Job 3:17,Job 3:18; Psalms 88:12; Psalms 115:17. read more
My foot slippeth; I am now upon the point of falling into mischief and utter destruction. read more
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James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:1-23
The first psalm in this lesson suggests Psalms 74:0 on which we did not dwell, but both of which depict the desolations of Judah by the Babylonians (compare Jeremiah 52:12-14 ). On this supposition their date would be that of the captivity, and their author a later Asaph than the Asaph mentioned in David’s time. Psalms 80:0 Has captivity features also. Some would say it relates to the ten tribes, as the preceding psalm does to Judah. The next several psalms are much alike in this respect and... read more