Psalms 94:23

And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; [yea], the LORD our God shall cut them off.

And he shall bring {H7725} upon them their own iniquity {H205}, and shall cut them off {H6789} in their own wickedness {H7451}; yea, the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} shall cut them off {H6789}.

But he repays them as their guilt deserves; he will cut them off with their own evil; ADONAI our God will cut them off.

He will bring upon them their own iniquity and destroy them for their wickedness. The LORD our God will destroy them.

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.

Commentary

Psalms 94:23 concludes a powerful psalm of lament and imprecation, expressing the psalmist's unwavering confidence in God's ultimate justice against the wicked. After detailing the oppressive actions of those who disregard the Lord and afflict His people, this verse delivers the emphatic declaration of divine retribution.

Context

Psalm 94 is a fervent prayer for intervention, addressing God as the righteous Judge who will not tolerate injustice indefinitely. The psalmist describes the arrogance and cruelty of the wicked, who boast in their evil and oppress the vulnerable, believing God does not see or care (see Psalm 94:7). This concluding verse serves as the confident resolution to the psalmist's plea, affirming that the very "God of vengeance" will indeed act on behalf of His suffering people, bringing their oppressors to account.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution: The verse explicitly states that God Himself ("he shall bring upon them") will ensure the wicked face the consequences of their actions. This is not a passive outcome but an active judgment from the sovereign God.
  • Self-Inflicted Consequences: The phrases "their own iniquity" and "their own wickedness" highlight that the punishment is not arbitrary but directly stems from their inherent moral corruption and evil deeds. It underscores the principle that what one sows, one will reap.
  • Certainty of Judgment: The repetition of "shall cut them off" (once directly, then again with the emphatic "the LORD our God shall cut them off") underscores the absolute certainty and finality of God's judgment. It's a promise that justice will prevail, offering comfort to those who have suffered under the wicked.
  • God's Sovereignty as Judge: This verse reaffirms God's role as the ultimate arbiter of justice, who sees all and will render righteous judgment. It aligns with the theme found in Genesis 18:25, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Linguistic Insights

  • "Iniquity" (Hebrew: ืขึธื•ึนืŸ, avon): This term often refers to perversity, guilt, or the consequence of sin. It implies a distortion of what is right, a bending or twisting of moral truth that incurs culpability, as seen in Psalm 32:5.
  • "Wickedness" (Hebrew: ืจึธืขึธื”, ra'ah): This word denotes evil, distress, or calamity. In this context, it speaks to the active manifestation of evil deeds and intentions.
  • "Cut them off" (Hebrew: ื™ึทืฆึฐืžึดื™ืชึตื, yatsmithem): This verb signifies to utterly destroy, exterminate, or bring to an end. The double use in the verse emphasizes the complete and decisive nature of God's intervention, bringing about the cessation of the wicked's power and influence.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 94:23 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance in a world often marked by injustice. When it seems that the wicked prosper and evil goes unpunished, this verse reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity and that ultimate justice is His prerogative. It encourages patience and trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that He will render to every man according to his deeds. Furthermore, it serves as a solemn warning that our own actions, whether good or evil, carry inherent consequences, and no one is exempt from God's righteous judgment.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 7:16

    His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

  • Proverbs 14:32

    ยถ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

  • Psalms 55:23

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

  • Proverbs 2:22

    But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

  • Proverbs 5:22

    His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

  • Psalms 64:8

    So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

  • 1 Samuel 26:10

    David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.