> [[psalm-93|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-95|Next →]] --- # Psalm 94 ## A Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked ### I 1 LORD, avenging God, ^psalm-94-1 avenging God, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; ^psalm-94-2 give the proud what they deserve! ### II 3 How long, LORD, shall the wicked, ^psalm-94-3 how long shall the wicked glory? 4 How long will they mouth haughty speeches, ^psalm-94-4 go on boasting, all these evildoers? 5 They crush your people, LORD, ^psalm-94-5 torment your very own. 6 They kill the widow and alien; ^psalm-94-6 the orphan they murder. 7 They say, “The LORD does not see; ^psalm-94-7 the God of Jacob takes no notice.” ### III 8 Understand, you stupid people! ^psalm-94-8 You fools, when will you be wise? 9 Does the one who shaped the ear not hear? ^psalm-94-9 The one who formed the eye not see? 10 Does the one who guides nations not rebuke? ^psalm-94-10 The one who teaches man not have knowledge? 11 The LORD knows the plans of man; ^psalm-94-11 they are like a fleeting breath. ### IV 12 Blessed the one whom you guide, LORD, ^psalm-94-12 whom you teach by your instruction, 13 To give rest from evil days, ^psalm-94-13 while a pit is being dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not forsake his people, ^psalm-94-14 nor abandon his inheritance. 15 Judgment shall again be just, ^psalm-94-15 and all the upright of heart will follow it. ### V 16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? ^psalm-94-16 Who will stand up for me against evildoers? 17 If the LORD were not my help, ^psalm-94-17 I would long have been silent in the grave. 18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,” ^psalm-94-18 your mercy, LORD, holds me up. 19 When cares increase within me, ^psalm-94-19 your comfort gives me joy. ### VI 20 Can unjust judges be your allies, ^psalm-94-20 those who create burdens by decree, 21 Those who conspire against the just ^psalm-94-21 and condemn the innocent to death? 22 No, the LORD is my secure height, ^psalm-94-22 my God, my rock of refuge, 23 Who will turn back their evil upon them ^psalm-94-23 and destroy them for their wickedness. Surely the LORD our God will destroy them! \* (Psalm 94) A lament of an individual who is threatened by wicked people. The danger affects the whole community. Calling upon God as judge ([Ps 94:1] – [2]), the Psalm complains about oppression of the holy community by people within ([Ps 94:3] – [7]). Bold declarations of faith follow: denunciation of evildoers ([Ps 94:8] – [11]) and assurance to the just ([Ps 94:12] – [15]). The Psalm continues with further lament ([Ps 94:16] – [19]) and ends with strong confidence in God’s response ([Ps 94:20] – [23]). a. (94:1) [Na 1:2]. b. (94:2) [Jer 51:56]; [Lam 3:64]. c. (94:3) ([[psalm-13|Ps 13]]:2]; [75:5]; [Jer 12:1]. d. (94:4) [Ps 73]; [Mal 2:17]; [3:14]. e. (94:6) ([[exodus-22|Ex 22]]:21] – [22]; [Dt 24:17] – [22]. f. (94:7) ([[psalm-10|Ps 10]]:11]; [64:6]; [73:11]; [Jb 22:13] – [14]; ([[ezekiel-09|Ez 9]]:9]. g. (94:8) [Prv 1:22]; [8:5]. h. (94:9) ([[exodus-04|Ex 4]]:11]; [Prv 20:12]. i. (94:11) [Ps 33:15]; ([[1-corinthians-03|1 Cor 3]]:20]. j. (94:12) [Ps 119:71]; [Jb 5:17]. k. (94:14) [1 Sm 12:22]; [Sir 47:22]. l. (94:17) ([[psalm-06|Ps 6]]:6]; [115:17]. m. (94:18) [Ps 145:14]. n. (94:23) [Ps 107:42]. o. (94:23) ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:16]; [9:16]; [35:8]; [57:7]; [Prv 26:27]; [Eccl 10:8]; [Sir 27:26]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-93|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-95|Next →]]