C K1 1-7. Address to Yahaveh.
L1 8-11. Declaration concerning Him.
B2 12,13. Address to Yahaveh.
L2 14-17. Declaration concerning Him.
B3 18-21. Address to Yahaveh.
L3 22,23. Declaration concerning Him.
Psalm 94)
1 O Lord GOD, to whom vengeance belongs;
O GOD, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth.
2 Lift up Yourself, You judge of the earth: (This is in keeping with the subject of Book IV.)
Render a reward to the proud.
3 LORD, how long shall the lawless ones,
How long shall the lawless one triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things?
And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,
And afflict Your heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger,
And murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, "The LORD (Yah) shall not see,
Neither shall the God of Jacob regard it."
8 Understand, you brutish among the people:
And you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He that planted the ear (consult works on physiology for the wonders of this expression), shall He not hear?
He that formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He that chastises the nations, shall not He correct?
He that teaches man knowledge, shall not He know?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, (See 1 Cor. 3:20.)
That they are vanity.
12 Happy is the man whom You chasten, O LORD,
And teach him out of Your law;
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,
Until the pit be dug for a wicked one.
14 For the LORD will not cast off His people, (See Rom. 11;1,2.)
Neither will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment shall return to righteousness:
and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the LORD had been my help,
My soul had quickly dwelt in silence. (Euphemism for dying.)
18 When I said, "My foot slips;"
Your loving-kindness (or grace), O LORD, held me up.
19 In the multitude of my perplexities within me
Your comforts delight my soul.
20 Shall the throne of cupidity (i.e. the throne which administers injustice. Cupidity put for the injustice produced by desire for gain) have fellowship with You,
Which frames mischief by a law?
21 They gather themselves together against the soul of a righteous one,
And condemn the innocent blood. (Put for man.)
22 But the LORD is my defense;
And my God is the rock of my refuge.
23 And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
Yes, the LORD our God shall cut them off.