Psalms 94:5

They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.

They break in pieces {H1792}{H8762)} thy people {H5971}, O LORD {H3068}, and afflict {H6031}{H8762)} thine heritage {H5159}.

They crush your people, ADONAI, they oppress your heritage.

They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage.

They break in pieces thy people, O Jehovah, And afflict thy heritage.

Psalm 94:5 is a poignant cry from the psalmist, highlighting the severe oppression faced by God's chosen people at the hands of the wicked. It serves as a stark description of the suffering and injustice prevalent in the world, setting the stage for the psalmist's plea for divine intervention and ultimate justice.

Context

Psalm 94 is a powerful psalm of lament, a heartfelt prayer to God for justice against those who relentlessly persecute the righteous. The verses preceding this one describe the arrogance and boastfulness of the wicked (Psalm 94:3-4), who seem to operate with impunity, believing God neither sees nor cares. Verse 5 intensifies this description by focusing on the direct violence and affliction wrought upon God's "people" and "heritage," emphasizing the gravity of their sin and the depth of the suffering.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Oppression of the Righteous: The verse vividly portrays the brutal reality of the suffering endured by those who belong to God. The phrases "break in pieces" and "afflict" underscore the severity of the persecution, ranging from physical violence to emotional distress and systemic injustice. This highlights a common lament theme in the Psalms, where the righteous often suffer at the hands of the ungodly.
  • God's Special Relationship: Calling the victims "thy people, O LORD" and "thine heritage" highlights the unique covenant relationship God has with His chosen. This emphasizes that the attack is not merely against a group of people, but against those who are precious to God, His own treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). This relationship implicitly calls for God's defense and vindication.
  • Cry for Divine Justice: By articulating the depth of the oppression, the psalmist builds the case for God, the ultimate Judge, to rise up and execute justice (Psalm 94:2). It's a foundational plea for God's intervention in a world where human justice often fails, reminding us that God is the final arbiter.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "break in pieces" is dakak (דכך), which means to crush, bruise, or utterly destroy. It conveys a powerful sense of violent subjugation and demolition. "Afflict" comes from anah (ענה), signifying to humble, oppress, or cause suffering and pain. The term "heritage" is nachalah (נחלה), meaning an inheritance or possession, often used to describe Israel as God's special inheritance, signifying their deep value and belonging to Him. These terms emphasize the severe and personal nature of the attacks against God's cherished people.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 94:5 resonates deeply as it acknowledges the reality of suffering and injustice in the world. It provides a voice for those who feel oppressed, persecuted, or overlooked. This verse reminds us that God sees the affliction of His people, and He is not indifferent. It encourages us to bring our laments and cries for justice to Him, trusting that He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately avenge His own (Luke 18:7). While we are called not to seek personal vengeance (Romans 12:19), we can have confidence that God will never abandon His heritage (Psalm 94:14) and will bring true justice in His perfect time.

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 3:15

    What mean ye [that] ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
  • Psalms 79:2

    The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
  • Psalms 79:3

    Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].
  • Jeremiah 22:17

    But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it].
  • Revelation 11:3

    ¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
  • Psalms 7:2

    Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.
  • Micah 3:2

    Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;

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