ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Psalms 94

Psalm Ps. 94. This is a community lament, written for a time when the wicked not only exult (v. 3) but also oppress the faithful (many of whom are socially weak, vv. 5–6). The wicked do so with no fear of God. The song asks God to protect the faithful, and it strengthens the faithful to endure the oppression. The faithful are reminded of God’s exhaustive knowledge of all that people think, do, and say (vv. 8–11); of his steadfast love for his own (v. 18); and of his commitment to bring justice by caring for the weak and putting down the wicked. The “wicked” in this psalm are members of God’s people (v. 8) who in their hearts do not believe in the God of the covenant (v. 7). Though such wicked persons were born into the covenant, they are not part of God’s true “people” or “heritage” (vv. 5, 14). They will suffer the full force of God’s judgment.

Ps. 94:1 Vengeance is founded on God’s justice. He brings his righteous judgment on those who oppose him and harm his people (see Deut. 32:41, 43; Ps. 18:47). God will judge the unfaithful among his own people as well as the Gentiles (see 99:8).

Ps. 94:2–3 The proud are those who, in their unbelief, elevate themselves above God and dare him to punish them (v. 7). They use their power to take advantage of the weak (vv. 5–6, 21). The right response is to pray to the judge of the earth.

Ps. 94:4–7 These verses list the activities of these evildoers. They pour out their arrogant words and boast (the quoted words of v. 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 a rejection of God’s standards (see Deut. 14:29; 24:17; 19).

Ps. 94:8–11 This is the reply to v. 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.

Ps. 94:8 Dullest and fools refer to people who resist the offer of grace in God’s covenant.

Ps. 94:12–15 The faithful, who receive instruction from God’s word and live by it (v. 12) are blessed. the Lord will not forsake his people. He will bring them justice.

Ps. 94:14 Even though the wicked in this psalm are members of “the people” (v. 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.

Ps. 94:16 Who rises up for me? The speaker is the psalmist. The answer is, “God does.”

Ps. 94:19 The specific cares are those expressed in the psalm, e.g., v. 3. The consolations are the assurances that God knows (vv. 9–11), that he has shown his support already (vv. 17–18), and that he will surely judge (v. 23).

Ps. 94:20–21 wicked rulers. The ungodly here have power, and they use it to frame injustice and to condemn the innocent to death (which God hates; Ex. 23:7). See Ps. 94:5–6. Such rulers could not possibly be allied with God.

Ps. 94:22 stronghold, rock. See 9:9; 18:2; 144:2.