Psalm 94

Psa 94:1

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Psa 94, like Psa 132 and a few others, is a fusion of two psalms: (a) Vv 1-15 are very appropriate to the times of Hezekiah, and (b) Vv 16-23 read like a psalm of David in the time of his persecution by Saul. In this section nearly every phrase can be matched to other psalms of that period. This combination of psalms is readily understood, for as David was the Lord's Anointed who at last came through to a settled kingdom and prosperity, so also was Hezekiah. It is just poss that the whole psalm was David's originally, but that Hezekiah added certain features here and there -- esp in the first part -- to mirror his own unique experiences, which were at the same time not that far removed from those of his illustrious ancestor.

Vv 1-4: There is considerable agitation here; the sentences are jerky, and characterized by omission of phrases. The writer is clearly uneasy, and worried and distracted.

O LORD... SHINE FORTH: The acuteness of the crisis when Assyrians besieged Jerusalem demanded a theophany. While the AV has: "shew thyself", the AV mg and RSV have: "Shine forth", which describes what happened (Isa 37:36; cp Psa 93:1; 50:2,3). The wicked are proud because their triumph seems inevitable; they are coarse of speech and boastful; they slaughter indiscriminately, and are contemptuous of the power of the LORD. It is a perfect picture of the Sennacherib situation.

Psa 94:3

HOW LONG?: (NT) The constant anxious cry of the Lord's afflicted (Psa 13:1; 74:10; 79:5; 89:46; etc). These will not avenge themselves, but they desperately desire that God will avenge them (v 1).

Psa 94:6

See Exo 22:22; 23:9; Lev 19:9,15,33,34; Isa 1:17; Jam 1:27. Such a detail here suggests a Davidic authorship -- even for the first part of the psalm.

Psa 94:7

Psa 10:4,6,11,13; 12:4; 13:1,2; 50:21. But "they" are the ones who cannot "see". And the Almighty is the One who can see (v 9 here)!

Psa 94:8

YOU FOOLS, WHEN WILL YOU BECOME WISE?: Implies repeated opportunities to understand God's purposes, but all of them neglected. There is also, perhaps, an echo of this v in Christ's words to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!" (Luk 24:25).

Psa 94:9

HE WHO IMPLANTED THE EAR: Seems to imply that instruction brings growth. Shall the Author of every sense be Himself senseless? He who planted the ear and formed the eye can surely teach man all knowledge (cp Exo 4:11). The sw (as "planted") occurs in Gen 2:8 -- this planting also is to bring forth fruit, as in Act 6:7. In this v fill in the ellipsis thus: Shall he not hear.... the cry of v 3?... Shall he not see... the affliction of vv 5-7?

Psa 94:12

Pro 3:11,12; Heb 12:5-11. Hezekiah certainly saw his own sickness and the great Assyrian tribulation in precisely this light -- as the chastening of the Lord.

Psa 94:16

Vv 16-19: These vv are very appropriate to the time of David's outlaw life, when in one crisis after another Saul's persecution seemed likely to overwhelm him. In these times David depended on God in a very real sense. "Who will rise up for me?" (v 16) is answered by "The Lord (is) my help" (v 17). In many a place "Your mercy/love" (v 18) means God's Promises. Even in the evil times David knew himself to be the Lord's Anointed (1Sa 16:12,13).

Vv 16-23: (NT) Jesus in Gethsemane?

Psa 94:18

This is Peter attempting to walk on the water (Mat 14:30,31; cp Psa 73:2).

Psa 94:20

A CORRUPT THRONE: Describes Saul's reign readily enough. To whom else could these words apply so well?

(NT) The throne is not Pilate's, nor Herod's, but rather that of Annas -- who wielded enormous power. What fellowship did he have with the God he pretended to serve? "How can darkness fellowship with light? Darkness must beget darkness, and end in the darkness of the pit" (NPH).

ONE THAT BRINGS ON MISERY BY ITS DECREES: The mischief-maker has the authority (and power) of the Law behind him. So Saul could get away with it when he declared all friends of David to be enemies of the king.

(NT) "It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish" (Joh 11:48-54). "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God" (Joh 19:7).

Psa 94:21

THE INNOCENT: = David (1Sa 19:5).

(NT) "Innocent blood" (AV) is, in Heb, "naqiy dam". To a Jewish ear this echoes the essentially Greek name Nicodemus. This secret disciple chastised the Sanhedrin for "judging" the innocent man Jesus without so much as a hearing (Joh 7:50-52)!