Psalm 94

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 94

This psalm was penned when the church of God was under hatches, oppressed and persecuted; and it is an appeal to God, as the judge of heaven and earth, and an address to him, to appear for his people against his and their enemies. Two things this psalm speaks:?I. Conviction and terror to the persecutors (Ps. 94:1-11), showing them their danger and folly, and arguing with them. II. Comfort and peace to the persecuted (Ps. 94:12-23), assuring them, both from God's promise and from the psalmist's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 94:1-11

In these verses we have, I. A solemn appeal to God against the cruel oppressors of his people, Ps. 94:1, 2. This speaks terror enough to them, that they have the prayers of God's people against them, who cry day and night to him to avenge them of their adversaries; and shall he not avenge them speedily? Luke 18:3, 7. Observe here, 1. The titles they give to God for the encouraging of their faith in this appeal: O God! to whom vengeance belongeth; and thou Judge of the earth. We may with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 94:12-23

The psalmist, having denounced tribulation to those that trouble God's people, here assures those that are troubled of rest. See 2 Thess. 1:6, 7. He speaks comfort to suffering saints from God's promises and his own experience. I. From God's promises, which are such as not only save them from being miserable, but secure a happiness to them (Ps. 94:12): Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest. Here he looks above the instruments of trouble, and eyes the hand of God, which gives it another name... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94

INTRODUCTION TO Psalm 94 Some, as Jarchi and others, think this psalm was written by Moses; others, with greater probability, assign it to David; as do the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions; and which all but the Syriac version say it was composed to be sung on the fourth day of the week, on which day the Talmudists say it was sung; see the argument of the preceding psalm. This psalm and others, that go before and follow, are without any title in the Hebrew Bible:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:1

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth ,.... As it does to God, and to him only; not to Heathen deities, one of which has the name of Vengeance given it, Acts 28:4 , nor to Satan, the enemy and avenger, and his spiteful principalities and powers; nor to men, who are not to exercise private revenge on their fellow creatures; only to civil magistrates, to whom public revenge belongs, they being God's viceregents, and representing him; otherwise to God only it belongs, against whom sin is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:2

Lift up thyself, thou, O Judge of the earth ,.... A title very proper to Christ, and which is given him by Abraham, Genesis 18:25 , who then appeared to him in an human form, and with whom he was conversing; he judges his own people on earth, all judgment being committed to him by the Father; he judges and chastises them, that they may not be condemned with the world; he judges and distinguishes between them and the world; he protects and defends them, he pleads their cause, and avenges... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:3

Lord, how long shall the wicked ,.... The reign of antichrist is thought long by the saints, being the space of forty two months, or 1260 days or years and this tries the faith and patience of the church of Christ, Revelation 13:5 . how long shall the wicked triumph? in their prosperity, and in the ruins of the interest of Christ; the Targum is, "how long shall they sit in tranquillity, or prosperity?' the triumphing of the wicked may seem long, but it is but short, Job 20:5 ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:4

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? ,.... Against Christ, his person and offices, his ministers, his people, his truths and ordinances; this is very applicable to antichrist, who has a mouth speaking blasphemies, and which he opens, and with it blasphemes God, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in it, Revelation 13:5 . The Targum is, "will they utter and speak reproachful words?' contumelies or calumnies; and such are uttered by the antichristian party against the true... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:5

They break in pieces thy people, O Lord ,.... Not the Israelites, as Kimchi; but the church of Christ, by their anathemas, cruel edicts, and persecutions; by confiscating their goods, imprisoning their persons, putting them to cruel deaths; and by such means think to "wear out" the saints of the most High, the Lord's covenant and peculiar people; which is mentioned as an aggravation of their sin, and as an argument with the Lord to arise on their behalf: and afflict thine heritage ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 94:6

They slay the widow and the stranger ,.... Who are so both in a literal and figurative sense, such who are weak and feeble, helpless and friendless; or who are deprived of their faithful pastors, who were as husbands and fathers to them, and who profess themselves pilgrims and strangers here; these the followers of the man of sin have inhumanly put to death, supposing they did God good service: and murder the fatherless ; having slain the parents in a cruel and barbarous manner, murder... read more

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