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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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 94:1

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth - God is the author of retributive justice, as well as of mercy. This retributive justice is what we often term vengeance, but perhaps improperly; for vengeance with us signifies an excitement of angry passions, in order to gratify a vindictive spirit, which supposes itself to have received some real injury; whereas what is here referred to is that simple act of justice which gives to all their due. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 94:1

Verse 1 1O Jehovah! God of vengeances We know that the Jews were surrounded by many neighbors who were not well affected towards them, and were thus incessantly subject to the assaults and oppression of bitter enemies. As this intestine persecution was even more afflictive than the rampant and unrestrained violence of the wicked, we need not wonder that the Psalmist should earnestly beseech God for deliverance from it. The expressions which he uses, calling upon God to shine forth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 94:1

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth (comp. Deuteronomy 32:35 , "To me belongeth vengeance and recompence;" and Jeremiah 51:56 , where God is called "the Lord God of reeompences," as he is here—literally—"the Lord God of vengeances"). O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself; or, "shine forth"—make thy justice to appear; show thyself in thy character of a God who will by no means clear the guilty ( Exodus 34:7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 94:1

A God of vengeances. Aglen, in Ellicott's 'Commentary,' proposes to render, "God of retributions, Jehovah, God of retributions, shine forth." The idea in the term "vengeances" would be better expressed by the term "avengements." God is thought of as the great Goel-Avenger of his oppressed and afflicted people, and therefore the One to whom appeal should be made in any particular time of distress. The word "vengeance" includes the idea of heated personal feeling. The word "avengement" sets... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 94:1-7

The cry for vengeance. Israel is suffering oppression—not, however, from foreign enemies, but from domestic tyrants ( Psalms 94:4-6 ). Innocent blood is shed; the widow and the orphan are trodden down. God, it is supposed, will not see or will not regard ( Psalms 94:7 ). The psalmist, therefore, cries out to God to manifest himself by taking signal vengeance on the evil doers ( Psalms 94:1 , Psalms 94:2 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 94:1-23

Divine retribution certain. The psalm may be distributed under the following heads. I. A PRAYER FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF WICKED OPPRESSORS . ( Psalms 94:1 , Psalms 94:2 .) Probably in anticipation of the Assyrian invasion. II. THE GROUND OF THE PRAYER — THE INSOLENT AND ATHEISTIC SPIRIT OF THEIR CRUEL WORK . ( Psalms 94:3-7 .) They murder the fatherless, and say, "Jehovah seeth not?" III. THE BLINDNESS AND CONTEMPT OF GOD ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 94:1

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth ... - Margin, God of revenges The idea is, that it pertains to God to take vengeance, or to punish for crimes. See the notes at Romans 12:19. The appeal here is made to God in view of the crimes committed by others, and which are referred to in the subsequent part of the psalm. God is addressed as having the right to restrain and punish wicked people, and he is asked to interpose and assert that right in a case which clearly demanded it. The appeal is... read more

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