Bible Commentary

Psalms 94:12-23

Matthew Henry on Psalms 94:12-23

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

That man is blessed, who, under the chastening of the Lord, is taught his will and his truths, from his holy word, and by the Holy Spirit. He should see mercy through his sufferings. There is a rest remaining for the people of God after the days of their adversity, which shall not last always.

He that sends the trouble, will send the rest. The psalmist found succour and relief only in the Lord, when all earthly friends failed. We are beholden, not only to God's power, but to his pity, for spiritual supports; and if we have been kept from falling into sin, or shrinking from our duty, we should give him the glory, and encourage our brethren.

The psalmist had many troubled thoughts concerning the case he was in, concerning the course he should take, and what was likely to be the end of it. The indulgence of such contrivances and fears, adds to care and distrust, and renders our views more gloomy and confused.

Good men sometimes have perplexed and distressed thoughts concerning God. But let them look to the great and precious promises of the gospel. The world's comforts give little delight to the soul, when hurried with melancholy thoughts; but God's comforts bring that peace and pleasure which the smiles of the world cannot give, and which the frowns of the world cannot take away.

God is his people's Refuge, to whom they may flee, in whom they are safe, and may be secure. And he will reckon with the wicked. A man cannot be more miserable than his own wickedness will make him, if the Lord visit it upon him.

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commentaryThe 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 94:12The triumph of the wicked may be the chastening of the righteous. It alters everything when we can see our trouble to be Divine chastening. Look on it as human oppression, the masterfulness of unprincipled magistrates,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:12-19The blessedness of the righteous. The psalmist proceeds to console and comfort himself by considering in how many ways the righteous man is blessed. 1. God chastises him. 2. God teaches him. 3. God gives him a time of r…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord. The blessedness of chastening appears in Deuteronomy 7:5; 2 Samuel 7:14, 2 Samuel 7:15; Job 5:17; Psalms 89:32, Psalms 89:33; Proverbs 3:12; and is the main point of Elih…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity. Trials and afflictions are means to an end, and the intended end is "rest" and peace. "There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9). U…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:14For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance (comp. Deuteronomy 4:31; 1 Samuel 12:22; 1 Kings 6:13; Isaiah 41:17). However long God's chastisements continue (see Psalms 94:3), the f…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 94:15But judgment shall return unto righteousness. "Judgment," i.e. God's actual award of good and evil upon the earth, which has seemed to be divorced from justice, while the ungodly have prospered and the pious been afflic…Joseph S. Exell and contributors