Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 94

Appeal to God against Persecutors; The Folly of Atheists and Oppressors.This section is a prayer to God for help against those who hurt His people. The writer appeals to God as the judge who sees everything and can punish the wicked. He describes the pride and cruelty of those who oppress others, and shows how foolish it is to think God does not notice evil. The psalmist reminds us that God created us, teaches us, and knows everything—even our thoughts. This is both a warning to evildoers and a comfort for people who suffer wrong.v. 1–2: The psalmist calls out to God, saying, O God, to whom vengeance belongs, O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve (Psalm 94:1–2 ). He asks God to show Himself and act against those who do evil. The psalmist reminds us that God is the supreme judge of the whole earth. He alone has the right to judge and punish. That is why we should not try to take revenge ourselves (Romans 12:19 ). If someone does wrong in secret or in public, God will call them to account. For those who suffer, this is an encouragement to trust God and wait for His justice.

v. 3–6: The writer asks God, Lord

v. 7: The oppressors think that God does not see what they do: The Lord

v. 8: The psalmist challenges these foolish people: Understand, you brutish among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise? . He calls them to use their reason and realize how senseless it is to deny God’s knowledge and justice.

v. 9: He argues that if God made the ear and the eye, then surely God can hear and see everything: He who planted the ear, shall he not hear? He who formed the eye, shall he not see? . If humans have these abilities, how much more does God, who created them?

v. 10: The psalmist continues, saying that God, who disciplines nations and teaches people, will surely correct those who do wrong: He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? . God is not only the judge of Israel, but of the whole world. If He judges other nations, He will not ignore injustice among His own people.

v. 11: Finally, he reminds us that God knows all thoughts: The Lord

Comfort to Suffering Saints; God the Defence of His People.This section gives encouragement to people who suffer for doing what is right. The psalmist tells them that God has promised comfort and help, even when times are hard. He explains that God uses troubles to teach and strengthen His people, and that in the end, God will defend them and punish those who do wrong. The writer shares both God’s promises and his own personal experience of God’s help.v. 12: The psalmist says, Blessed is the man whom you chasten, O Lord

v. 13: The writer explains that God’s discipline has a purpose: that you may give him rest from the days of adversity . God wants His people to find peace after their troubles. The difficult days will not last forever. God sends both the hardship and the relief, so that after being corrected, His people can experience true rest.

v. 14: The psalmist gives assurance: For the Lord

v. 15: He says that things will not stay wrong forever: For judgment shall return unto righteousness; and all the upright in heart shall follow it . Sometimes it looks like evil people win and nothing is fair. But God’s justice will be restored. People who love what is right will see justice and will celebrate it. This could happen in this world, or certainly in the final judgment, when God will fix everything.

v. 16: The psalmist shares his own experience, asking, Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? . He felt alone, with no one willing to defend him or speak for him against powerful and wicked people. Many times, those with authority use their power to support evil, even making unjust laws and punishing innocent people. This happened to Daniel, when a law was made against prayer (Daniel 6:7 ).

v. 17: He continues, Unless the Lord

v. 18: He says, When I said, My foot slips, your mercy, O Lord

v. 19: The psalmist admits, In the multitude of my anxious thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul . He had many worries and fears, but God’s encouragement brought him peace and joy. God’s comfort is deeper and more powerful than any comfort the world can give.

v. 20: He raises a question: Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame mischief by statute? . The psalmist knows that God cannot support evil leaders, even if they make their evil laws sound official. God is not a friend to those who use their power to do wrong.

v. 21: He points out that these wicked rulers band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death . They use their authority to attack good people and punish those who have done nothing wrong. Many faithful servants of God have suffered this way.

v. 22: In response, the psalmist declares, But the Lord

v. 23: The section ends with confidence: He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the Lord