Psalms 94:6

They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

They slay {H2026}{H8799)} the widow {H490} and the stranger {H1616}, and murder {H7523}{H8762)} the fatherless {H3490}.

They kill widows and strangers and murder the fatherless.

They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.

They slay the widow and the sojourner, And murder the fatherless.

Commentary

Psalm 94:6 vividly portrays the extreme cruelty and lack of moral restraint demonstrated by the wicked. This verse is part of a psalm that serves as a passionate plea to God for justice against those who oppress the innocent and disregard divine law.

Context

Psalm 94 is a fervent lament and an appeal to God as the ultimate Judge. The psalmist describes the rampant wickedness and injustice prevailing in society, particularly how those in power abuse their authority. Verses 3-6 detail the specific atrocities committed by these oppressors, leading to the psalmist's cry for God to intervene and execute judgment. This particular verse highlights the most egregious acts against the most vulnerable segments of society in ancient Israel: the widow, the stranger (foreigner), and the fatherless (orphan). These groups were often without legal or social protection and were frequently exploited.

Key Themes

  • Gross Injustice: The verse underscores the appalling level of injustice where the weakest members of society are not just neglected but actively harmed.
  • Oppression of the Vulnerable: It spotlights the deliberate targeting and exploitation of those who cannot defend themselves, a stark violation of God's commands for social righteousness.
  • Divine Judgment Implied: By describing such horrific acts, the psalmist implicitly calls upon God, who is known for His righteousness, to bring an end to such evil, as echoed in Psalm 94:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used emphasize the severity of the acts:

  • "Slay" (harag): This term denotes killing or murdering, often with violence.
  • "Murder" (ratsach): This word is stronger, often implying premeditated, malicious killing, as found in the Ten Commandments against murder. The repetition of similar concepts ("slay" and "murder") underscores the heinous nature of these acts.
  • The triad of "widow," "stranger," and "fatherless" (almanah, ger, yathom) is profoundly significant. Throughout the Old Testament, these three groups consistently represent the most defenseless and marginalized in society. God's law repeatedly commanded the Israelites to protect and care for them, making the acts described here a direct affront to God's character and covenant, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 10:18 and Exodus 22:22.

Practical Application

Psalm 94:6 serves as a timeless reminder of the ongoing struggle against injustice and the call for believers to stand in solidarity with the oppressed. It challenges us to:

  • Recognize and Resist Injustice: Be aware of and actively oppose systems or individuals that exploit the vulnerable in our own societies.
  • Protect the Defenseless: Emulate God's heart for the marginalized by advocating for and supporting those who lack a voice or protection. This aligns with the New Testament teaching that pure religion involves caring for orphans and widows in their distress.
  • Trust in Divine Justice: While we work for justice, we are also called to trust that God sees every act of wickedness and will ultimately bring about perfect justice, even when it seems delayed.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 10:2

    To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless!

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Ezekiel 22:7

    In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

  • Jeremiah 7:6

    [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

  • Isaiah 13:15

    Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined [unto them] shall fall by the sword.

  • Isaiah 13:18

    [Their] bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

  • Jeremiah 22:3

    Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
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