Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 94
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 94
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 94
"O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: Render to the proud [their] desert. Jehovah, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph? They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves. They break in pieces thy people, O Jehovah, And afflict thy heritage. They slay the widow and the sojourner, And murder the fatherless. And they say, Jehovah will not see, Neither will the God of Jacob consider. Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the nations, shall not he correct, [Even] he that teacheth man knowledge? Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity." — Psalms 94:1-11 (ASV)
We may boldly appeal to God, for He is the almighty Judge by whom every man is judged. Let this encourage those who suffer wrong to bear it silently, committing themselves to Him who judges righteously. These prayers are prophecies, which speak terror to the sons of violence.
A day of reckoning will come for all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against God, His truths, His ways, and His people.
It would hardly be believed, if we did not witness it, that millions of rational creatures live, move, speak, hear, understand, and do what they intend, yet act as if they believed that God would not punish the abuse of His gifts.
Since all knowledge is from God, He undoubtedly knows all the thoughts of the children of men. He knows that the imaginations of the thoughts of their hearts are only evil, and that continually.
Even in good thoughts there is a lack of steadfastness, which may be called vanity. Therefore, it is important for us to keep a strict watch over our thoughts, because God takes particular notice of them. Thoughts are words to God.
"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jehovah, And teachest out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked. For Jehovah will not cast off his people, Neither will he forsake his inheritance. For judgment shall return unto righteousness; And all the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless Jehovah had been my help, My soul had soon dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee, Which frameth mischief by statute? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood. But Jehovah hath been my high tower, And my God the rock of my refuge. And he hath brought upon them their own iniquity, And will cut them off in their own wickedness; Jehovah our God will cut them off. " — Psalms 94:12-23 (ASV)
That person is blessed, who, under the chastening of the Lord, is taught His will and His truths from His holy word and by the Holy Spirit. They should see mercy through their sufferings. There is a rest remaining for the people of God after the days of their adversity, which will not always last. He who sends the trouble will send the rest. The psalmist found support and relief only in the Lord when all earthly friends failed.
We are indebted, not only to God's power but also to His pity, for spiritual support; and if we have been kept from falling into sin, or shrinking from our duty, we should give Him the glory and encourage our fellow believers. The psalmist had many troubled thoughts concerning his situation, the course he should take, and what its outcome was likely to be. The indulgence of such anxious thoughts and fears adds to worry and distrust, and renders our views more gloomy and confused.
Good people sometimes have perplexed and distressed thoughts concerning God. But let them look to the great and precious promises of the gospel. The world's comforts give little delight to the soul, when burdened by melancholy thoughts; but God's comforts bring that peace and pleasure which the smiles of the world cannot give, and which the frowns of the world cannot take away. God is His people's Refuge, to whom they may flee, in whom they are safe, and in whom they can be secure.
And He will reckon with the wicked. A person cannot be more miserable than their own wickedness will make them, if the Lord visits that wickedness upon them.
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