TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Psalms 94

BSB·23 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1O LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, Godאֵל־’êl- — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → of vengeanceנְקָמ֥וֹתnə·qā·mō·wṯ — Vengeance; retributive justice or retaliationH5360 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֵ֖ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → of vengeanceנְקָמ֣וֹתnə·qā·mō·wṯ — Vengeance; retributive justice or retaliationH5360 — Full Word Study →, shine forthהוֹפִֽיַע׃hō·w·p̄i·ya‘ — to shine forth, become light, appear brilliantlyH3313 — Full Word Study →. 2Rise upהִ֭נָּשֵׂאhin·nā·śê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →, O Judgeשֹׁפֵ֣טšō·p̄êṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →; renderהָשֵׁ֥בhā·šêḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → a rewardגְּ֝מ֗וּלgə·mūl — Recompense, reward, or requitalH1576 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the proudגֵּאִֽים׃gê·’îm — proud, haughty, arrogantH1343 — Full Word Study →. 3How longעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → will the wickedרְשָׁעִ֥ים׀rə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, how longעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → will the wickedרְשָׁעִ֥יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → exultיַעֲלֹֽזוּ׃ya·‘ă·lō·zū — to exult, rejoice, triumphH5937 — Full Word Study →? 4They pour outיַבִּ֣יעוּyab·bî·‘ū — to pour out, gush forth, utter abundantlyH5042 — Full Word Study → arrogantעָתָ֑ק‘ā·ṯāq — arrogance, stubbornness, grievous presumptionH6277 — Full Word Study → wordsיְדַבְּר֣וּyə·ḏab·bə·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →; allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → workersפֹּ֥עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → of iniquityאָֽוֶן׃’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → boastיִֽ֝תְאַמְּר֗וּyiṯ·’am·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 5They crushיְדַכְּא֑וּyə·ḏak·kə·’ū — to crush, break, or oppressH1792 — Full Word Study → Your peopleעַמְּךָ֣‘am·mə·ḵā — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; they oppressיְעַנּֽוּ׃yə·‘an·nū — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → Your heritageוְֽנַחֲלָתְךָ֥wə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →. 6They killיַהֲרֹ֑גוּya·hă·rō·ḡū — To kill, slay, or murderH2026 — Full Word Study → the widowאַ֭לְמָנָה’al·mā·nāh — A woman whose husband has died; widowH490 — Full Word Study → and the foreignerוְגֵ֣רwə·ḡêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study →; they murderיְרַצֵּֽחוּ׃yə·raṣ·ṣê·ḥū — to murder; to unlawfully kill a human beingH7523 — Full Word Study → the fatherlessוִֽיתוֹמִ֣יםwî·ṯō·w·mîm — A child without a father; an orphanH3490 — Full Word Study →. 7They sayוַ֭יֹּ֣אמְרוּway·yō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “The LORDיָּ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study → does notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeיִרְאֶה־yir·’eh- — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →; the Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Jacobיַעֲקֹֽב׃ya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → pays no heedיָ֝בִ֗יןyā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →.” 8Take noticeבִּ֭ינוּbî·nū — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →, O senselessבֹּעֲרִ֣יםbō·‘ă·rîm — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → among the peopleבָּעָ֑םbā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →! O foolsוּ֝כְסִילִ֗יםū·ḵə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study →, whenמָתַ֥יmā·ṯay — when, how long, until whenH4970 — Full Word Study → will you be wiseתַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃taś·kî·lū — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study →? 9He who affixedהֲנֹ֣טַֽעhă·nō·ṭa‘ — to plant, establish, or fix firmlyH5193 — Full Word Study → the earאֹ֭זֶן’ō·zen — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study →, can He notהֲלֹ֣אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hearיִשְׁמָ֑עyiš·mā‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →? He whoאִֽם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → formedיֹ֥צֵֽרyō·ṣêr — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study → the eyeעַ֝֗יִן‘a·yin — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, can He notהֲלֹ֣אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seeיַבִּֽיט׃yab·bîṭ — To look upon, regard, or behold with attentionH5027 — Full Word Study →? 10He who admonishesהֲיֹסֵ֣רhă·yō·sêr — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study → the nationsגּ֭וֹיִםgō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →, does He notהֲלֹ֣אhă·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → disciplineיוֹכִ֑יחַyō·w·ḵî·aḥ — To rebuke, reprove, or correct with reasoningH3198 — Full Word Study →? He who teachesהַֽמְלַמֵּ֖דham·lam·mêḏ — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → manאָדָ֣ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, does He lack knowledge? 11The LORDיְֽהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → knowsיֹ֭דֵעַyō·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the thoughtsמַחְשְׁב֣וֹתmaḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ — plan, purpose, or scheme (often with moral implications)H4284 — Full Word Study → of manאָדָ֑ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֥מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → are futileהָֽבֶל׃hā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →. 12Blessedאַשְׁרֵ֤י׀’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → is the man You disciplineתְּיַסְּרֶ֣נּוּtə·yas·sə·ren·nū — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיָּ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →, and teachתְלַמְּדֶֽנּוּ׃ṯə·lam·mə·ḏen·nū — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → from Your lawוּֽמִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ū·mit·tō·w·rā·ṯə·ḵā — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study →, 13to grant him reliefלְהַשְׁקִ֣יטlə·haš·qîṭ — to rest, be quiet, or settle in peaceH8252 — Full Word Study → from daysמִ֣ימֵיmî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of troubleרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, untilעַ֤ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → a pitשָֽׁחַת׃šā·ḥaṯ — Pit, grave, or destruction; the grave or hellH7845 — Full Word Study → is dugיִכָּרֶ֖הyik·kā·reh — To dig; to plot or schemeH3738 — Full Word Study → for the wickedלָרָשָׁ֣עlā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּ֤י׀kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → forsakeיִטֹּ֣שׁyiṭ·ṭōš — to abandon, forsake, or let goH5203 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּ֑וֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →; He will neverלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → abandonיַעֲזֹֽב׃ya·‘ă·zōḇ — to abandon, forsake, or leave behindH5800 — Full Word Study → His heritageוְ֝נַחֲלָת֗וֹwə·na·ḥă·lā·ṯōw — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →. 15Surelyכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → judgmentצֶ֭דֶקṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → will againיָשׁ֣וּבyā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → be righteousמִשְׁפָּ֑טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →, and allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the uprightיִשְׁרֵי־yiš·rê- — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → in heartלֵֽב׃lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → will follow itוְ֝אַחֲרָ֗יוwə·’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →. 16Whoמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → will rise upיָק֣וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → for me againstעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the wickedמְרֵעִ֑יםmə·rê·‘îm — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study →? Whoמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → will standיִתְיַצֵּ֥בyiṯ·yaṣ·ṣêḇ — To stand, take a stand, present oneselfH3320 — Full Word Study → for me againstעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the workersפֹּ֥עֲלֵיpō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → of iniquityאָֽוֶן׃’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study →? 17Unlessלוּלֵ֣יlū·lê — unless, except, if notH3884 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had been my helperעֶזְרָ֣תָה‘ez·rā·ṯāh — help, assistance, aidH5833 — Full Word Study →, Iנַפְשִֽׁי׃nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → would soonכִּמְעַ֓ט׀kim·‘aṭ — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study → have dwelt in the abodeשָֽׁכְנָ֖הšā·ḵə·nāh — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → of silenceדוּמָ֣הḏū·māh — silence, stillness, quietnessH1745 — Full Word Study →. 18Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → I sayאָ֭מַרְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “My footרַגְלִ֑יraḡ·lî — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → is slippingמָ֣טָהmā·ṭāh — to shake, move, slip, or fall awayH4131 — Full Word Study →,” Your loving devotionחַסְדְּךָ֥ḥas·də·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, supports meיִסְעָדֵֽנִי׃yis·‘ā·ḏê·nî — to support, sustain, or strengthenH5582 — Full Word Study →. 19When anxietyשַׂרְעַפַּ֣יśar·‘ap·pay — anxious thought, worry, concernH8312 — Full Word Study → overwhelms meבְּרֹ֣בbə·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study →, Your consolationתַּ֝נְחוּמֶ֗יךָtan·ḥū·me·ḵā — Comfort, consolation, solaceH8575 — Full Word Study → delightsיְֽשַׁעַשְׁע֥וּyə·ša·‘aš·‘ū — to delight in, fondle, or stare in dismayH8173 — Full Word Study → my soulנַפְשִֽׁי׃nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 20Can a corruptהַוּ֑וֹתhaw·wō·wṯ — Calamity, destruction, ruin, wickednessH1942 — Full Word Study → throneכִּסֵּ֣אkis·sê — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → be Your allyהַֽ֭יְחָבְרְךָhay·ḥā·ḇə·rə·ḵā — To join together, unite, form a bondH2266 — Full Word Study →one devisingיֹצֵ֖רyō·ṣêr — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study → mischiefעָמָ֣ל‘ā·māl — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study → byעֲלֵי־‘ă·lê- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → decreeחֹֽק׃ḥōq — A statute or decree; an appointed rule or lawH2706 — Full Word Study →? 21They band togetherיָ֭גוֹדּוּyā·ḡō·w·dū — to cut, gather in troops, assembleH1413 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the righteousצַדִּ֑יקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → and condemnיַרְשִֽׁיעוּ׃yar·šî·‘ū — To act wickedly; condemn as guiltyH7561 — Full Word Study → the innocentנָקִ֣יnā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → to deathוְדָ֖םwə·ḏām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. 22But the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has beenוַיְהִ֬יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → my strongholdלְמִשְׂגָּ֑בlə·miś·gāḇ — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study →, and my Godוֵ֝אלֹהַ֗יwê·lō·hay — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is my rockלְצ֣וּרlə·ṣūr — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study → of refugeמַחְסִֽי׃maḥ·sî — Refuge, shelter, or place of safetyH4268 — Full Word Study →. 23He will bringוַיָּ֤שֶׁבway·yā·šeḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → upon themעֲלֵיהֶ֨ם׀‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their own iniquityאוֹנָ֗ם’ō·w·nām — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study → and destroy themיַצְמִיתֵ֑םyaṣ·mî·ṯêm — To cut off, destroy utterly, consume completelyH6789 — Full Word Study → for their wickednessוּבְרָעָתָ֥םū·ḇə·rā·‘ā·ṯām — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. The LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → our Godאֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will destroy themיַ֝צְמִיתֵ֗םyaṣ·mî·ṯêm — To cut off, destroy utterly, consume completelyH6789 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Psalms 94
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 94 is a passionate cry for God's justice in response to the wickedness and oppression of the ungodly. The psalmist begins by calling upon God as the righteous Judge to bring vengeance upon the proud and wicked who afflict His people, then shifts to a rebuke of those fools who imagine God neither sees nor cares about their evil deeds. The psalm concludes with a powerful affirmation of God's faithfulness to His people and a declaration of confidence that the Lord will ultimately bring judgment upon the wicked and vindication to the righteous.

Verses 1–5: A Call for God's Vengeance

The psalmist opens with an urgent appeal to God, reminding Him that vengeance belongs exclusively to Him (v. 1). This is not personal vendetta or human anger, but a plea for God's righteous judgment. The repeated phrase "to whom vengeance belongeth" emphasizes God's sole authority over justice. In verse 2, the psalmist calls God to "lift up thyself" as the Judge of the earth and to render appropriate reward to the proud—those who exalt themselves against God's order.

Verses 3–5 express the anguish of believers witnessing prolonged wickedness. The repeated question "how long" reflects the pain of watching the wicked triumph, speak harshly against God's people, and boast in their iniquity (v. 4). The psalmist describes their violence vividly: they "break in pieces" God's people and "afflict" His heritage, His treasured possession. This is not merely personal grievance but concern for God's honor and His people's welfare.

Application: Believers today may struggle with the apparent success of the wicked and the slowness of God's justice. This passage validates those feelings while directing our complaint to the only One who can truly judge and act.

Verses 6–11: Confronting Godless Arrogance

The psalmist now describes the specific cruelty of the wicked: they target society's most vulnerable—widows, strangers, and orphans (v. 6). These were God's special concern in the law (Exodus 22:22–24), making such crimes particularly heinous.

Verse 7 reveals the theological heart of their wickedness: they deny God's omniscience, claiming "The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it." This is practical atheism—living as though God either cannot or will not judge.

In verses 8–11, the psalmist powerfully refutes this delusion. He addresses the "brutish" and "fools" among the people, then poses rhetorical questions: Did God create the ear and not hear? The eye and not see? (v. 9). This appeals to basic logic—the Creator possesses all the faculties He gave His creatures. The God who disciplines nations (v. 10) and teaches human knowledge certainly knows the very thoughts of man (v. 11), which are ultimately "vanity"—empty and worthless without God.

Application: We can be assured that nothing escapes God's notice. Our faith rests not on wishful thinking but on the revealed character of an all-knowing God.

Verses 12–23: Blessing, Faithfulness, and Final Justice

The mood shifts from accusation to encouragement. Verse 12 pronounces blessing on those whom God chastens and teaches from His law. God's discipline is redemptive, designed to give rest from adversity (v. 13). Verse 14 provides the anchor: "The LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance." This is an unshakeable promise of covenantal faithfulness.

Verse 15 assures us that judgment will ultimately return to righteousness, and the upright will follow it. The psalmist acknowledges his own vulnerability (vv. 16–19)—he needs the Lord's help, and God's mercy sustains him when his foot slips. God's comforts delight his soul amid troubled thoughts.

The final section (vv. 20–23) asks whether the throne of iniquity can fellowship with God, who abhors all evil (v. 20). Those who gather against the righteous will face God's judgment; their own wickedness will condemn them (vv. 21–22). But the Lord is the believer's defense and rock of refuge (v. 22). The promise concludes with certainty: God will cut off the wicked in their own iniquity (v. 23).

Application: In a world of injustice, believers find stability in God's eternal faithfulness, discipline that refines us, and the certain promise that evil will not have the final word.

Application for Today

Psalm 94 teaches us that outcry against injustice is legitimate prayer, yet our confidence rests not in our own power but in God's character as the righteous Judge. When we feel tempted toward despair over the world's wickedness, this psalm invites us to remember that God sees all, knows all, and will ultimately bring every evil deed to account. Until that day, we are called to find refuge in Him, allow His Word to shape us,

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note