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Psalm 94[a]

A Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked

I

Lord, avenging God,
    avenging God, shine forth!(A)
Rise up, O judge of the earth;
    give the proud what they deserve!(B)

II

How long, Lord, shall the wicked,
    how long shall the wicked glory?(C)
How long will they mouth haughty speeches,
    go on boasting, all these evildoers?(D)
They crush your people, Lord,
    torment your very own.
They kill the widow and alien;
    the orphan they murder.(E)
They say, “The Lord does not see;
    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”(F)

III

Understand, you stupid people!
    You fools, when will you be wise?(G)
Does the one who shaped the ear not hear?
    The one who formed the eye not see?(H)
10 Does the one who guides nations not rebuke?
    The one who teaches man not have knowledge?
11 The Lord knows the plans of man;
    they are like a fleeting breath.(I)

IV

12 Blessed the one whom you guide, Lord,(J)
    whom you teach by your instruction,
13 To give rest from evil days,
    while a pit is being dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not forsake his people,
    nor abandon his inheritance.(K)
15 Judgment shall again be just,
    and all the upright of heart will follow it.

V

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
    Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
17 If the Lord were not my help,
    I would long have been silent in the grave.(L)
18 When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
    your mercy, Lord, holds me up.(M)
19 When cares increase within me,
    your comfort gives me joy.

VI

20 Can unjust judges be your allies,
    those who create burdens by decree,
21 Those who conspire against the just
    and condemn the innocent to death?
22 No, the Lord is my secure height,
    my God, my rock of refuge,
23 (N)Who will turn back their evil upon them(O)
    and destroy them for their wickedness.
    Surely the Lord our God will destroy them!

Footnotes

  1. 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).

Psalm 94

The Lord is a God who avenges.(A)
    O God who avenges, shine forth.(B)
Rise up,(C) Judge(D) of the earth;
    pay back(E) to the proud what they deserve.
How long, Lord, will the wicked,
    how long will the wicked be jubilant?(F)

They pour out arrogant(G) words;
    all the evildoers are full of boasting.(H)
They crush your people,(I) Lord;
    they oppress your inheritance.(J)
They slay the widow(K) and the foreigner;
    they murder the fatherless.(L)
They say, “The Lord does not see;(M)
    the God of Jacob(N) takes no notice.”

Take notice, you senseless ones(O) among the people;
    you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
    Does he who formed the eye not see?(P)
10 Does he who disciplines(Q) nations not punish?
    Does he who teaches(R) mankind lack knowledge?
11 The Lord knows all human plans;(S)
    he knows that they are futile.(T)

12 Blessed is the one you discipline,(U) Lord,
    the one you teach(V) from your law;
13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,(W)
    till a pit(X) is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not reject his people;(Y)
    he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,(Z)
    and all the upright in heart(AA) will follow it.

16 Who will rise up(AB) for me against the wicked?
    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?(AC)
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,(AD)
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.(AE)
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,(AF)
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety(AG) was great within me,
    your consolation(AH) brought me joy.

20 Can a corrupt throne(AI) be allied with you—
    a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?(AJ)
21 The wicked band together(AK) against the righteous
    and condemn the innocent(AL) to death.(AM)
22 But the Lord has become my fortress,
    and my God the rock(AN) in whom I take refuge.(AO)
23 He will repay(AP) them for their sins
    and destroy(AQ) them for their wickedness;
    the Lord our God will destroy them.