Bible Commentary

Psalms 94:1-11

Matthew Henry on Psalms 94:1-11

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

We may with boldness appeal to God; for he is the almighty Judge by whom every man is judged. Let this encourage those who suffer wrong, to bear it with silence, committing themselves to Him who judges righteously.

These prayers are prophecies, which speak terror to the sons of violence. There will come a day of reckoning for all the hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against God, his truths, and ways, and people.

It would hardly be believed, if we did not witness it, that millions of rational creatures should live, move, speak, hear, understand, and do what they purpose, yet act as if they believed that God would not punish the abuse of his gifts.

As all knowledge is from God, no doubt he knows all the thoughts of the children of men, and knows that the imaginations of the thoughts of men's hearts are only evil, and that continually. Even in good thoughts there is a want of being fixed, which may be called vanity.

It concerns us to keep a strict watch over our thoughts, because God takes particular notice of them. Thoughts are words to God.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:1A 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 "aven…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:1-7The 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:1O 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:1-23EXPOSITION THIS psalm is primarily (Psalms 94:1-11) a "cry for vengeance on Israel's oppressors, passing into an appeal for more faith to God's own people" (Cheyne). In the latter half (Psalms 94:12-23) the psalmist com…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:1-23Divine 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.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:2The Judge of all the earth. The older Scriptures constantly set God forth as the actual, living Judge, concerned now in his Divine magistracy, deciding causes, vindicating the oppressed, punishing the wrong doer. The id…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:2Lift up thyself (comp. Psalms 7:6; Isaiah 33:10). "Rouse thyself," that is, "from thy state of inaction"—come and visit the earth as Judge. Thou Judge of the earth (comp. Genesis 18:25; Psalms 58:11). Render a reward to…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:3The tether of the ungodly. "How long shall the wicked triumph?" Men ask this question only when they cannot see the rope, or the chain, which keeps the movements of the ungodly within strict limitations. In Jersey and G…Joseph S. Exell and contributors