PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:1. This is a community lament, written for a time when the wicked not only exult (v. Psalms 94:3) but also oppress the faithful (many of whom are socially weak, vv. Psalms 94:5). The wicked do so with no fear of God. The song asks God to protect the faithful, and it str... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:2 The PROUD are those who, in their unbelief, elevate themselves above God and dare him to punish them (v. Psalms 94:7). They use their power to take advantage of the weak (vv. Psalms 94:5, Psalms 94:21). The right response is to pray to the JUDGE OF THE EARTH. ⇐ ⇔ [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:4 These verses list the activities of these EVILDOERS. They POUR OUT THEIR ARROGANT WORDS and BOAST (the quoted words of v. Psalms 94:7 are a sample of their boasting). They CRUSH God’s PEOPLE. They KILL the helpless (such as the WIDOW, SOJOURNER, and FATHERLESS). All this is... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:8 This is the reply to v. Psalms 94:7. The God WHO PLANTED THE EAR, WHO FORMED THE EYE, WHO DISCIPLINES THE NATIONS, and WHO TEACHES MAN KNOWLEDGE is fully aware of everything that goes on, even the THOUGHTS OF MAN. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:12 The faithful, who receive instruction from God’s word and live by it (v. Psalms 94:12) are BLESSED. THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE. He will bring them JUSTICE. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.len [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:14 Even though the wicked in this psalm are members of “the people” (v. Psalms 94:8), they are nevertheless distinct from God’s PEOPLE. This implies that the faithful are God’s people in the truest sense, while the faithless among the Israelites are not. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = d... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:16 WHO RISES UP FOR ME? The speaker is the psalmist. The answer is, “God does.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:19 The specific CARES are those expressed in the psalm, e.g., v. Psalms 94:3. The CONSOLATIONS are the assurances that God knows (vv. Psalms 94:9), that he has shown his support already (vv. Psalms 94:17), and that he will surely judge (v. Psalms 94:23). ⇐ [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:20 WICKED RULERS. The ungodly here have power, and they use it to FRAME INJUSTICE and to CONDEMN THE INNOCENT TO DEATH (which God hates; Exodus 23:7). See Psalms 94:5. Such rulers could not possibly be allied with God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 94:22 STRONGHOLD, ROCK. See Psalms 9:9; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 144:2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]