He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? Psalm 94:9
He has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off. Psalm 94:23
A Prayer for Vengeance – The Lord our God shall cut them off.
Psalm 94 is a royal psalm, since the phrase “Judge of the earth” (v. 2) is equivalent to “King.” The righteous call for the divine judge to punish evil in the world. Psalms 93-99 are a splendid set of psalms focused on the eternal reign of God. God is praised as avenger of evil, who sees all and who judges the wicked, while supporting those who take refuge in him.
“The ear” (94:9). The ear is more than the organ of hearing. It frequently implies not only reception of the message, but response to it as well. God, who designed the ear that we might hear and respond to Him, also hears and responds to our prayers.
94:1-3 Even when the poets call out for divine vengeance, they recognize that God decides when to exercise His wrath and judgment. God’s law clearly states that vengeance belongs to Him (Deut. 32:35). How long will the wicked triumph: This question is based on a concern for the glory of God. How long would the wicked defy God? The answer, of course, is in God’s mercy. The Lord may delay this judgment, but in His own timing He will come to establish true justice (2 Pet. 3:9).
1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs– O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. 3 Lord, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?
94:4-6 The Psalms often describe the wicked in terms of their evil speech (Ps. 12). They slay the widow and the stranger: The Israelites had been commanded to comfort widows and orphans and to welcome strangers as long as those strangers obeyed the Law of God (Ex.22:22). Thus the wicked were brazenly disobeying God’s commands.
4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. 5 They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless.
94:8-11 The command to understand is for fools to abandon their foolishness. Surely, the poet argues, the Creator of the earth is not deaf, nor is the Fashioner of the eye blind. Although idols do not have real eyes and ears, the God of heaven does see and hear. The Lord knows: The difference between the thoughts of God and the thoughts of human beings is beyond comprehension. The thoughts of man apart from God are futile or “quickly passing.”
7 Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.” 8 Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? 11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.
94:12 Blessed is the man: This beatitude uses the word with which the Book of Psalms begins, a term meaning “manifest happiness.” These words are very similar to the ideas of 1:2.
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law,
94:13. 14 Pit is one of the words used as a synonym for Sheol. Digging the “pit” is a way of describing the preparations of the final judgment of the wicked (Rev. 20). Will not cast off His people: God will not forget His people any more than He will forget or deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13).
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 15 But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it.
94:16-19 Who will rise up for me is an appeal to the Lord who alone is the sure defense of the believer. Settled in silence: The psalmist exclaims that if the Lord had not delivered him, he would have died. As in Ps. 6, if the psalmist had died, his voice would no longer be able to praise God in the temple. The comforts of God extend from His hearing the call of the righteous to His meeting their needs even when they are not aware of them.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. 18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. 19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
94:20-23 Throne of iniquity is a description of the wicked who have great power. The holy Lord cannot tolerate evil in His presence. The Lord… shall cut them off: Final judgment will one day come to the wicked.
20 Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You? 21 They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood. 22 But the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off.
** He knows. He sees everything. He assures us in His words. “I am the one who planted your ear. Do you think I can’t hear you? I formed your eyes. Do you think I can’t see what’s happening?” Yes, He can hear. Yes, He can see. And to Him vengeance belongs. He will decide when and how.
94 1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs– O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud. 3 Lord, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph? 4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. 5 They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, And afflict Your heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. 7 Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.” 8 Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? 11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile. 12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law, 13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 15 But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. 18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. 19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. 20 Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You? 21 They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood. 22 But the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off.
