Bible Commentaries
Psalms 94

Verses 1-3

The writer besought the Lord, as the Judge of the earth, to punish the wicked, who were boasting and rejoicing because they were getting away with oppressing the righteous.

Verses 1-7

1. A prayer for vengeance 94:1-7

Verses 1-23

Psalms 94

This psalm, which begins as a national lament (Psalms 94:1-15) and ends as an individual lament (Psalms 94:16-23), calls on God to avenge the righteous whom the wicked oppress unjustly. It manifests faith in the justice of God.

Verses 4-7

These verses contain the specific offenses of the wicked. They glorify themselves, afflict God’s people, and think God will not do anything to oppose them.

Verses 8-11

The psalmist scolded the wicked for their stupidity. God, who created the eye and ear, surely can see and hear Himself. He knows what the wicked are doing and saying. If He disciplines nations, He will surely discipline individuals. If He teaches wisdom, certainly He is wise Himself. He knows the vapid thoughts of those who oppose Him, and He will judge them.

Verses 8-15

2. A warning for evildoers 94:8-15

Verses 12-15

Oppression from the wicked is discipline that God permits for His people (cf. Habakkuk 1:5-11). Because of this the writer saw it had value. However, he also believed that God would relieve the godly and not forsake His faithful ones. Eventually God will execute justice, and this will encourage people to follow the path of righteousness.

Verses 16-19

After looking everywhere for some consolation during the temporary ascendancy of the wicked, the psalmist found it only in God. If God had not strengthened him he would have died, slipped in his walk with God, and become mentally distracted.

Verses 16-23

3. A reason for consolation 94:16-23

Verses 20-23

The power of the wicked could not endure because God’s power will prevail-even though His enemies made alliances with other evil men to oppress the innocent. The psalm closes with a reaffirmation of the writer’s commitment to Yahweh. He would trust in the Lord until God executed vengeance on the wicked.

This psalm is a good example of not taking vengeance but waiting for God to take it in His own time and way (Deuteronomy 32:35; 1 Samuel 24-26; Romans 12:19; et al.). The writer committed the situation to God in prayer, called on Him to judge righteously, and continued to trust and obey the Lord. He did not take vengeance himself.