Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 94

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth... - Margin, God of revenges. The idea is that it pertains to God to take vengeance, or to punish for crimes. See the notes at Romans 12:19. The appeal here is made to God in view of the crimes committed by others, and which are referred to in the subsequent part of the psalm. God is addressed as having the right to restrain and punish wicked people, and He is asked to interpose and assert that right in a case that clearly demanded it. The appeal is repeated to make it emphatic, or to denote “earnestness” in the petition.

Show thyself - Margin, as in Hebrew, “shine forth.” The meaning is, Manifest Yourself; come forth as such a God; prove Your right; display Your power, and show that You are a God opposed to crime and wrong. The same Hebrew word is used here that is found in Psalm 80:1, and that is there rendered shine forth. See the notes at that passage.

Lift up yourself - Be exalted or lifted up so as to be manifest in your true character. The idea is that God was, as it were, sitting at His ease, or as if He were indifferent to what was occurring in the world. See the notes at Psalms 3:7.

You Judge of the earth - Ruler of the world, to whom it pertains to exercise judgment over all classes of people and in all circumstances. The meaning here is that, as He was the Ruler of the whole earth, this matter came without doubt under His jurisdiction. It was a case for His interposition.

Render a reward to the proud - A just recompense to the people who are confident in their own strength, and who are manifesting their pride in depriving others of their rights.

Lord, how long shall the wicked ... — As if there were to be no end to their exaltation, their joy, their success. How long would God allow this? How long would he sit by and see it done? Was he disposed to let them go on forever? Would he never interpose and arrest them in their career?

How often do we wonder that God does not interpose! How often does it seem inexplicable that a Being of almighty power and infinite goodness does not interfere with respect to the wickedness, the oppression, the slavery, the wrong, the cruelty, the fraud, the violence of the world—and put an end to it! In fact, how entirely are we overwhelmed at the thought that he does not put an end to iniquity in the universe altogether; that he never will thus interpose, and put an end to sin and sorrow!

Such things are too high for us now; perhaps will always be so. Things on earth are not as we should suppose they would be; and we can only pause and adore where we cannot comprehend!

How long shall they utter and speak hard things? - The word rendered 'utter' means to pour forth—as water from a fountain; to pour forth copiously. The meaning is, that they seemed to be full, and that they poured forth evil words as a fountain pours forth water. The phrase “hard things” means proud, unfeeling, insolent things; things which are unjust, unkind, severe, harsh.

And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? - Boast of their power and their success. How long shall they be permitted to have such success as may seem to justify them in their exultation?

They break in pieces your people - They tread down; they grind; they crush. The Hebrew word is often used as meaning to crush under foot; to trample on; and therefore, it means to oppress (Lamentations 3:34; Isaiah 3:15).

And afflict - That is, by oppression and wrong. If this refers to foreigners, it means that they did this by invasion and by the ravages of war.

Your heritage - Your people, regarded as an inheritance or possession. See Psalms 28:9; Psalms 33:12; Psalms 68:9; Psalms 74:2; Isaiah 19:25; Isaiah 47:6; 1 Peter 5:3.