Psalms 94:1

¶ O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.

O LORD {H3068} God {H410}, to whom vengeance {H5360} belongeth; O God {H410}, to whom vengeance {H5360} belongeth, shew {H3313}{H8685)} thyself.

God of vengeance, ADONAI! God of vengeance, appear!

O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.

O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.

Psalms 94:1 is a powerful opening to a psalm of lament and petition, setting a tone of urgent appeal for divine intervention against injustice. The psalmist cries out to God, emphasizing His unique claim to righteous judgment.

Context

Psalm 94 is categorized as a communal lament, reflecting a period of distress, likely due to oppression, unrighteousness, or the perceived inactivity of God in the face of wickedness. The repeated invocation, "O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth," underscores a deep conviction that only God possesses the right and power to execute true justice. This psalm serves as a fervent prayer for God to "shew thyself" – to manifest His power and righteousness visibly in a world seemingly dominated by evil.

Key Themes

  • Divine Prerogative of Vengeance: The verse firmly asserts that vengeance belongs exclusively to God. This isn't human revenge, but God's righteous judgment and retribution against sin and injustice. It highlights His role as the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong.
  • God's Sovereignty and Justice: By declaring that vengeance "belongeth" to Him, the psalmist affirms God's supreme authority and control over all things, including the final dispensation of justice. He is the just Judge of all the earth.
  • A Cry for Manifestation: The plea "shew thyself" is a desperate call for God to appear, to act decisively, and to reveal His presence and power against the oppressors. It's a prayer for God to rise up and vindicate the righteous.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vengeance" here is nəqāmāh (נְקָמָה). This term, when applied to God, signifies divine retribution or the just punishment of wrongdoing, not a vindictive or malicious act. It is about restoring balance and righteousness. The repetition emphasizes the certainty and exclusivity of this attribute to God. "Shew thyself" translates the Hebrew hôfîaʿ (הוֹפִיַע), which means to shine forth, appear, or manifest oneself. It's an urgent request for God to make His justice visible and active.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound comfort and guidance for believers facing injustice or witnessing widespread evil:

  • Trust in God's Justice: It reminds us that we are not to take revenge into our own hands, for "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). Our role is to pray for justice and trust God's perfect timing.
  • Encouragement in Suffering: When the wicked seem to prosper, this verse provides assurance that God sees, and He will act. It encourages us to bring our laments and petitions before the Lord, confident in His righteous character.
  • Patience and Hope: While God's justice may not always be immediate in human terms, this psalm affirms its certainty. It cultivates patience and hope in the ultimate triumph of God's perfect will.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 35:4

    Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

  • Nahum 1:2

    ¶ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

  • Romans 12:19

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  • Deuteronomy 32:41

    If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

  • Deuteronomy 32:42

    I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; [and that] with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

  • Isaiah 59:17

    For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

  • Deuteronomy 32:35

    To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

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