Prepared for Psalms Group on April 11, 2021
Psalm 94 is located in a group of psalms called “enthronement psalms” that express strong commitment to YHWH as king. Psalms 93-100 is a psalm group that emphasizes the theme of YHWH’s kingship, his reign and his rule as the king/judge of the earth. (See 93:1, 94:1, 95:3, 96:10, 97:1, 99:1)
As we noted last week, Book 3 contained “problem psalms” that would fit with scholars dating its compilation during the Exile. Book 4 follows with the great encouragement needed to move forward and rebuild after the Exile, whether dated shortly before or after their return. (Remember that the date of compilation does not indicate when each psalm was written.)
Yahweh Is the Judge of the Earth
The LORD Will Not Forsake His People
This is a community lament.
More than 1/3 of the Psalms fall into the category of complaints to God in situations of limitation or threat. These laments were a form of prayer and praise based on the conviction that God is concerned about people and answers the human cry in ways surpassing human expectation or understanding. Israel’s laments out of distress were a way of praising God even when he seemed absent. The faith of the psalmists is founded on the good news that God intervenes in desperate situations to help those who are distressed. The psalmists share a deep confidence that God is compassionate, concerned, hearing his people and involved with them; God is faithful and trustworthy. A lament is an outcry to God from a responsive heart. Laments came from individuals or from the community.
Examples: Psalms 3-5, 22, 27:7-14, 42, 51, 69, 90, 130, 137 and many others
Eph. 6:10-20
Note that the verse numbering in the New Coverdale version below differs from the ESV.
94
Deus ultionum
1 O Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, *
O God to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
2 Arise, O Judge of the world, *
and reward the proud according to their deserving.
3 O Lord, how long shall the ungodly, *
how long shall the ungodly triumph?
4 How long shall all evildoers speak so disdainfully *
and make such proud boasting?
5 They smite down your people, O Lord, *
and trouble your heritage.
6 They murder the widow and the stranger, *
and put the fatherless to death.
7 And yet they say, “The Lord shall not see, *
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.”
8 Take heed, you unwise among the people; *
O you fools, when will you understand?
9 He who planted the ear, shall he not hear? *
Or he who made the eye, shall he not see?
10 Or he who nurtures the nations, *
he who teaches humanity knowledge, shall he not punish?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, *
that they are but vain.
12 Blessed is the one whom you chasten, O Lord, *
and whom you teach your law,
13 That you may give him patience in time of adversity, *
until a pit is dug for the ungodly.
14 For the Lord will not fail his people, *
neither will he forsake his inheritance,
15 But righteousness shall return to the place of judgment, *
and all those who are true of heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up with me against the wicked, *
or who will take my part against the evildoers?
17 If the Lord had not helped me, *
my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18 But when I said, “My foot has slipped,” *
your mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19 In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, *
your comforts refreshed my soul.
20 Will you have anything to do with the council of wickedness, *
which turns evil into law?
21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous *
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the Lord is my refuge, *
and my God is the rock of my confidence.
23 He shall recompense them for their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice; *
indeed, the Lord our God shall destroy them.