Psalms Reading – 3.28.2022
Psalm 94
1 The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
5 They crush your people, Lord; they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
17 Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.
21 The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will destroy them.
Psalm 94 emphasizes one of God’s primary roles as King is to establish justice in His kingdom. The first 3 verses are a lament and an appeal for the Lord to rise up and judge the wicked. Following these three verses, there are 5 sections of 4 verses each.
In verses 4-7, the psalmist charges the oppressors with their various crimes. They boast arrogantly, they crush and oppress God’s people, they kill the widow, the fatherless, and the foreigner among them. They falsely believe God does not see their evil actions.
In verses 8-11, the psalmist declares the Lord is fully aware of what is going on in His kingdom. The Lord knows that all human plans are futile if they are not according to His will and plan.
In verses 12-15, the Lord will not abandon His people. Even though God uses the oppression we experience as a form of discipline, we are blessed because God is teaching and refining us. The God who disciplines His people will also bring punishment to those who stand against Him.
In verses 16-19, only the Lord can provide the help we need against evil. God’s unfailing love supports us and His comfort brings joy in the midst of troubling anxiety.
In verses 20-23, the psalmist confidently declares the Lord is our fortress and refuge. He will bring judgment on the evil who oppress others. God will make everything right and good one day!
Memory Verse: Psalm 95:6-7, Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Question(s) to Consider: How are you praying for God to bring judgment on the evil in our world?