Psalms 94:4

KJV

[How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

KJV (with Strong's)

How long shall they utter {H5042}{H8686)} and speak {H1696}{H8762)} hard things {H6277}? and all the workers {H6466}{H8802)} of iniquity {H205} boast {H559}{H8691)} themselves?

Complete Jewish Bible

They pour out insolent words, they go on bragging, all these evildoers.

Berean Standard Bible

They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

American Standard Version

They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 94:4 is a fervent lament from the psalmist, expressing profound anguish over the persistent and audacious defiance of the wicked. It vividly portrays their unbridled, oppressive speech and self-aggrandizing boasting, which seemingly continues without divine accountability. This verse encapsulates the deep frustration and yearning for God's intervention in the face of pervasive injustice and the apparent impunity of those who commit evil, serving as a desperate plea for the restoration of righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 94:4 is situated within a powerful psalm of communal lament and a passionate appeal for divine justice, forming a crucial part of Book IV of the Psalms (Psalms 90-106). The verse immediately follows a direct invocation of God as the "God of vengeance" and a poignant rhetorical question, "How long, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult?" ([Psalms 94:1-3](/psalms/94-1-3 "Psalms 94:1-3 - A Cry for Justice")). This verse then elaborates on the specific nature of the wicked's offense—their arrogant and oppressive speech and self-glorification—setting the stage for the psalmist's detailed description of their violent and exploitative actions in subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalms 94:5-7](/psalms/94-5-7 "Psalms 94:5-7 - The Oppression of the Wicked")). The psalm progresses from a raw expression of distress to a confident declaration of God's ultimate judgment and unwavering faithfulness, culminating in a trust in divine retribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm does not pinpoint a specific historical event, it powerfully reflects a period of significant social and judicial breakdown, likely within Israelite society. The "workers of iniquity" could represent corrupt internal officials, powerful oppressors, or even foreign adversaries who exploit the vulnerable and pervert justice. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, justice was often administered publicly by rulers or elders at the city gate, making the perversion of justice a grave societal concern and a direct affront to divine order. The public nature of their "hard things" and "boasting" suggests a brazen lack of fear of accountability, whether from human authorities or from God. This would have been deeply unsettling in a covenantal society that valued righteousness and divine law, as emphasized in foundational texts concerning justice, such as [Deuteronomy 16:18-20](/deuteronomy/16-18-20 "Deuteronomy 16:18-20 - Judges and Justice").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **audacity and impunity of the wicked**, who not only commit evil but openly defy God and oppress the righteous with their words. This theme is vividly echoed in other laments, such as the psalmist's struggle in [Psalms 73:3-12](/psalms/73-3-12 "Psalms 73:3-12 - The Prosperity and Arrogance of the Wicked"), where the wicked are depicted as speaking arrogantly and boasting of their success. Secondly, it highlights the profound **tension between divine justice and human suffering**, as the psalmist grapples with God's apparent inaction in the face of such blatant evil, a common theological struggle found in books like Job and Habakkuk. Lastly, the repeated "How long?" throughout the psalm, including its implicit presence here, reflects a deep **lament and a yearning for God's sovereign intervention** to restore righteousness and execute judgment, ultimately affirming God's role as the righteous judge of all the earth (cf. [Psalms 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7-8 "Psalms 9:7-8 - God Judges the World")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **utter (Hebrew, _nâbaʻ_):** This word (H5042) means "to gush forth" or "to pour out." Figuratively, it denotes speaking abundantly, often with a sense of overflowing or emitting, whether good or bad words. In this context, it emphasizes the unrestrained and prolific nature of the wicked's speech, suggesting a continuous torrent of offensive words.
* **hard things (Hebrew, _ʻâthâq_):** This term (H6277) signifies "impudent," "arrogancy," "grievous," or "stiff." It describes words that are not merely difficult to understand but are harsh, presumptuous, defiant, and oppressive. These are words that challenge authority, express insolence, and inflict harm, reflecting a hardened and unyielding disposition.
* **boast themselves (Hebrew, _ʼâmar_):** This word (H559) is a primitive root meaning "to say," but in its reflexive or intensive forms, as used here, it conveys "to boast oneself" or "to speak proudly." It indicates self-exaltation and a public display of perceived power or invincibility, often in defiance of God or human accountability. This boasting reveals profound pride and a blatant disregard for divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How long shall they utter and speak hard things?":** This rhetorical question, echoing the opening cry of the psalm, expresses the psalmist's profound anguish, impatience, and urgent plea for divine intervention. The phrase "utter and speak" (using two distinct Hebrew verbs, _nâbaʻ_ and _dâbar_) emphasizes the continuous, deliberate, and pervasive nature of the wicked's oppressive and defiant verbal assault. The "hard things" refer to their harsh, arrogant, presumptuous, and potentially slanderous words directed against the righteous or even against God Himself. This clause highlights the prolonged and unceasing verbal aggression.
* **"and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?":** This second clause expands on the nature of the wicked's offense, emphasizing their self-exaltation and pride in their wrongdoing. "Workers of iniquity" identifies them as those whose very lives and actions are characterized by unrighteousness and injustice (from H6466, _pâʻal_, "to do or make" and H205, _ʼâven_, "iniquity"). Their boasting is a public, self-aggrandizing display of their perceived invincibility and a direct challenge to any notion of divine justice, further intensifying the psalmist's desperate cry for God to act decisively.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 94:4 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of lament and plea for justice. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "How long shall they utter and speak hard things?," which is not intended to elicit a direct answer but to express the psalmist's intense frustration, anguish, and urgent appeal for God's intervention. This question functions as a cry of exasperation, highlighting the perceived delay in divine justice. The verse also utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause, "and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves," reiterates and intensifies the idea presented in the first clause ("How long shall they utter and speak hard things?"). Both phrases describe the arrogant, defiant, and self-exalting verbal expressions of the wicked, reinforcing their brazenness and the depth of their offense. Furthermore, the use of the double verb "utter and speak" serves as an **Intensification**, emphasizing the continuous, deliberate, and pervasive nature of the wicked's harmful and offensive speech, underscoring the psalmist's prolonged suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 94:4 powerfully articulates the age-old struggle of the righteous when confronted with the apparent prosperity and unchecked arrogance of the wicked. It raises fundamental questions about divine justice, sovereignty, and the timing of God's intervention. The psalmist's cry of "How long?" is a testament to the human longing for a God who sees, hears, and acts decisively against evil. It implicitly affirms God's ultimate authority to judge, even when His justice seems delayed, and challenges believers to maintain faith in His perfect timing and righteous character. The verse serves as a profound reminder that the boasting of the wicked is ultimately futile before the sovereign God who "knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity" ([Psalms 94:11](/psalms/94-11 "Psalms 94:11 - God Knows the Thoughts of Man")). It invites us to trust that God will ultimately bring all hidden things to light and render justice.

* [Psalms 73:3-12](/psalms/73-3-12 "Psalms 73:3-12 - The Prosperity and Arrogance of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 10:31](/proverbs/10-31 "Proverbs 10:31 - The Mouth of the Righteous")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 94:4 resonates deeply in every generation, particularly when we witness injustice, oppression, and the brazen arrogance of those who seem to operate with impunity. The psalmist's "How long?" becomes our own cry when we see evil celebrated, truth suppressed, and the vulnerable exploited. This verse invites us to acknowledge our frustration and pain, validating our longing for righteousness to prevail. It challenges us to not grow weary in well-doing, even when the wicked boast, but to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His promise to judge the earth. Our response should be rooted in fervent prayer for justice, perseverance in faith, and a steadfast commitment to speaking truth and living righteously, knowing that God sees and will act in His perfect time. It reminds us that our hope is not in the immediate cessation of evil, but in the certain triumph of God's perfect justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when you witness injustice or hear those who do evil boast about their actions?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge your patience or understanding of God's timing in bringing justice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to uphold righteousness and speak truth, even when the "workers of iniquity" seem to prosper?**

### FAQ

**What are "hard things" in this context?**

Answer: In Psalms 94:4, "hard things" (Hebrew, _ʻâthâq_) refers not to concepts that are difficult to understand, but to words that are harsh, oppressive, arrogant, defiant, or presumptuous. These are words that inflict pain, challenge divine authority, or boast of impunity. They represent the verbal assault and spiritual arrogance of the wicked, often accompanied by threats, slanders, or open defiance of God's law. The phrase emphasizes the continuous and deliberate nature of their offensive speech, reflecting a hardened and unyielding disposition.

**Why does the psalmist ask "How long?" if God is sovereign?**

Answer: The question "How long?" is a classic expression of lament found throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalms 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalms 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?")). It is not a question born of doubt in God's sovereignty, but rather a passionate plea and an expression of deep anguish, frustration, and impatience with the prolonged suffering and injustice witnessed. It reflects a tension between God's apparent inaction and His promised righteousness, urging Him to intervene and bring about His justice. It's a cry of faith, appealing to God's character and power, rather than questioning His existence or ultimate authority. It acknowledges God's sovereignty while pleading for its manifest demonstration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 94:4 expresses a cry for immediate earthly justice against the boasting of the wicked, its ultimate fulfillment and the definitive answer to the psalmist's "How long?" are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "workers of iniquity" who "utter and speak hard things" and "boast themselves" find their ultimate judgment in Him. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, endured the "hard things" spoken against Him—the slanders, false accusations, and boasts of His enemies—culminating in His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - The Mocking of Jesus")). Yet, through His resurrection, He decisively silenced the boasting of sin and death, demonstrating His ultimate triumph over all evil powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His first coming was in humility, but His second coming will be in power and glory to execute perfect justice, silencing every arrogant tongue and judging all who boast against God ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Warrior King")). Believers are called to endure patiently, knowing that Christ has overcome the world and will bring all hidden things to light, ensuring that every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")). The cross, in particular, exposes the futility of all human boasting apart from God's grace, inviting us to boast only in the Lord ([Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Boasting in the Cross"); [1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "1 Corinthians 1:31 - Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 31:18

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalms 52:1

¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually.

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.

Revelation 13:5

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

Revelation 13:6

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Jude 1:14

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,