God Will Do Right (Psalm 94, Part 1)

This psalm invites us to pray against senseless rulers who rule foolishly. God the Judge will do right and bring justice.

A Complaint (verses 1-11)

¹The Lord is a God who avenges.

      O God who avenges, shine forth.
²Rise up, Judge of the earth;

      pay back to the proud what they deserve.
³How long, Lord, will the wicked,

      how long will the wicked be jubilant?

⁴They pour out arrogant words;

      all the evildoers are full of boasting.
⁵They crush your people, Lord;

      they oppress your inheritance.
⁶They slay the widow and the foreigner;

      they murder the fatherless.
⁷They say, “The Lord does not see;

      the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

⁸Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;

       you fools, when will you become wise?
⁹Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?

      Does he who formed the eye not see?
¹⁰Does he who disciplines nations not punish? 

      Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
¹¹The Lord knows all human plans;

      he knows that they are futile.

When we tire of the oppression caused by evil leaders, we can complain to God the Judge. We must leave vengeance to God because He alone knows right. Those who trample God’s people trample God Himself. In their vulnerability the widow, the alien and the fatherless need God’s special protection. In this hour of grace God is offering pardon, not punishment. We see around us practical atheists who act is if there is no God and the futility of modern people who reject God.

In our complaints, O God, we ask You to shine forth! Since You created our ears and eyes, we know that You hear and see. Will You not rebuke the evil society around us? Teach us, all-knowing God. You know our thoughts, purify them.