Psalms 94:15

But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.

But judgment {H4941} shall return {H7725}{H8799)} unto righteousness {H6664}: and all the upright {H3477} in heart {H3820} shall follow {H310} it.

Justice will once again become righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Surely judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

For judgment shall return unto righteousness; And all the upright in heart shall follow it.

Psalms 94:15 KJV offers a powerful declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and the inevitable triumph of divine justice. This verse provides a beacon of hope amidst the psalm's lament over widespread injustice and the apparent prosperity of the wicked.

Context

Psalm 94 is a fervent plea to God, the "God of vengeance" (Psalm 94:1), to intervene against oppressors and wicked rulers who disregard His law and afflict His people. The psalmist expresses frustration that the ungodly seem to escape punishment, boasting in their evil deeds. Within this context of lament and petition, verse 15 serves as a turning point, offering a prophetic assurance that the current state of affairs will not last indefinitely. It shifts from a cry for justice to a confident statement of its eventual return and triumph.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Restoration: The phrase "judgment shall return unto righteousness" signifies a future restoration where God's just standards will prevail. It implies that any perceived imbalance or injustice in the world is temporary, and ultimately, God's perfect and just character will be fully revealed and enforced. This promise assures believers that God's perfect and just character ensures that righteousness will ultimately be the foundation of all judgment.
  • The Nature of True Righteousness: The verse highlights that true judgment aligns with righteousness, not with human biases, corruption, or arbitrary power. It speaks to a divine standard of moral rectitude and equity that will be established.
  • The Alignment of the Upright: "And all the upright in heart shall follow it." This speaks to the response of God's faithful people. Those whose hearts are sincere, pure, and devoted to God will not only welcome this return of righteousness but will also actively align themselves with it. They are the ones who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "judgment" is mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), which encompasses not just legal verdict but also justice, governance, and the established order. "Righteousness" is tsedeq (צֶדֶק), referring to moral and ethical uprightness, integrity, and conformity to God's will. The phrase "upright in heart" (יִשְׁרֵי לֵב, yishrei lev) describes those whose inner being is sincere, morally sound, and genuinely devoted to God, contrasting with the perverse or wicked.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 94:15 offers profound comfort and a call to action:

  • Hope in God's Sovereignty: Even when the world appears unjust, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control, and His justice will prevail. We can trust in His timing and His perfect plan.
  • A Call to Righteous Living: Knowing that judgment will return to righteousness encourages us to live in alignment with God's standards now. As those "upright in heart," we are called to embody and advocate for justice and righteousness in our own spheres of influence.
  • Endurance in Adversity: When facing oppression or injustice, this verse provides a firm foundation for endurance, knowing that God sees, hears, and will ultimately set things right. It encourages us not to grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's moral order is unshakeable, and His people are called to participate in its establishment.

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.

  • Micah 7:9

    I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, [and] I shall behold his righteousness.

  • Psalms 97:2

    Clouds and darkness [are] round about him: righteousness and judgment [are] the habitation of his throne.

  • Psalms 37:34

    ¶ Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].

  • Psalms 125:3

    For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

  • Psalms 125:5

    As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 32:36

    For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

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