Psalm 94

by Becky



LINK: Psalm 94


BACKGROUND AND REFLECTION

Psalm 94 goes full circle. It begins with the psalmist’s cry to the LORD – twice referring to Him as the God of vengeance – to reveal His justice. It ends with this promise: “God will make the sins of evil people fall back upon them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.”

Before we reflect on this psalm, I think we need to understand that word “vengeance.” Vengeance, as used here, is not an emotional, bitter, spiteful means of “getting even.” It is not revenge. Vengeance is equated with justice here. The previous psalm lifted up God as King. This psalm appeals to Him as Judge. God, as King and Judge, has the right and the power to punish evildoers. For too long evil has triumphed and the psalmist cries out to God to shine forth – to reveal His glory. He bursts out with, “How long, Lord?”

Just what are these evil people accused of doing?

First, they are self-confident and arrogant (v 4). They think they are powerful. The implication is that they are not giving God His rightful place. Which leads to their next action:

They oppress God’s people (v 5). They demean God by hurting those who are called by His Name.

They also kill the helpless of society – the widow, orphan, and stranger (v 6) - the very people that God wanted the Israelites to treat justly, in remembrance of what God did for them (Deut. 10:17-19).

These evil actions are rooted in the idea that God either doesn’t know what’s happening or doesn’t care (v7).

The psalmist goes on, through a series of rhetorical devices, a series of balanced questions, to point out the folly of these evildoers (vv. 8 – 11):

He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?

He who formed the eye, shall He not see?

He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct?

He who teaches man knowledge? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

That word “futile” means literally “ a puff of wind.” What a word to use for those who in their arrogance make themselves little gods!

Halfway through, the psalm turns! “Blessed are those you discipline, LORD, and those you teach from your law.” (v 12)

Those who belong to God are joy-filled, content in Him, and with what He brings into their lives. Though the times they live in may be troubled, though they may suffer for bearing God’s Name, they have an inner quietness (v 13) and peace.

A “pit” is being “dug for the wicked.” That is quite a metaphor! Digging a pit takes awhile, but it is happening.

The psalmist reminds God’s people that they are not abandoned. He cites his own experience: He had known God’s comfort himself. He had felt himself slipping and had cried out to God and the Lord supported Him!

The psalm ends with a summary (vv 20-23): Yes, there is injustice in this world. There are leaders who pervert justice, who bend the law to suit their ends, who kill the innocent. BUT the Lord is a fortress and rock for His people.

In the end, the sins of the evil people will fall back on them to destroy them.

APPLICATION

Whew! What do I get from that?

I once read a book titled Ideas Have Consequences. That is so true. We are affected by what we hold true, by what we believe. There are consequences to the ideas we hold.

So what ideas do I cling to? Do I sometimes buy into the notion that God either doesn’t care what’s going on or can’t do anything about it? Do I look around at what is happening in the world today and doubt God?

In the previous psalm we are told to trust God even when all about us is in chaos. In this psalm we are told to trust God even when it looks like evil is succeeding.

One way to trust Him is to reach out to others, to remember His care of His own people by caring for those who are voiceless in society, those who are most helpless. Am I reaching out? Am I being Jesus’ hands?

Finally, I am convicted by verse 12: Blessed are those you discipline, LORD, and those you teach from your law.” This is repeated so often in the Bible (James 1: 2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 6: 3-10; Heb. 12: 1-13) that God must want us to grasp it! If you get a chance, I encourage you to read those passages. Go on a Bible treasure hunt and look for more!

PRAYER

Give us hearts to trust you, Lord. Help us to lean on You in confidence and quietness. Fill us with Your Spirit and make us your hands and feet in this world in which we live. Amen.