Psalm 94 is like so many of the other psalms that deal with
the unjust treatment of the poor and helpless by wicked and evil people. Ever
since the beginning of time we have had the universal problem and question of
why do the wicked seem to get by with exploiting the righteous and good person
or people. Why do the wicked seem to prosper and enjoying the “good life” while
the good and upright person seem to suffer and be afflicted.
There is something inside us that is stirred to anger when
we see the bully beating up the frail smaller person. When we watch a
tyrannical ruler drop bombs on innocent people including women and children.
When we hear of terrorist in the Middle East, or even evil people in America
sexually exploiting girls and helpless women. Because we are created in the
image of God, and because He is a God of righteousness and justice, even in our
fallen state, we have a sense of justice and know this is wrong, and someone
needs to do something to stop it.
The unknown writer of Psalm 94 gives us at least four things
we can do when we have these questions, or we see these injustices in our society.
In verses 1-7 we need to pray and cry out to God to take “vengeance” on these
evil people. In verses 8-11, we must live and speak “the truth” to warn the
wicked of the judgment they are going to face from God one day if they don’t
change their ways. Now in verses 12-15, we need to look inwardly at our own
hearts and make sure that we are willing to receive God’s chastening and
discipline when we do wrong.
“Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach
out of Your law” (v. 12). The word "instruct" is sometimes
translated as "discipline" or “chasten”. It means "teaching and instruction from
God's law". When the psalmist wrote this he might have had Deuteronomy
8:5-6 in mind. “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his
son, so the LORD your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the
commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” These were the final words of Moses to the
nation of Israel before he died, and they entered the Promise Land.
The psalmist might have also remembered Solomon’s words in Proverbs
3:11-14: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His
correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in
whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains
understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her
gain than fine gold.”
The psalmist recognized the fact that the difficulties of
life could help him mature in his faith. If God immediately rescued His people
from their personal difficulties, they would become "spoiled brats"
and never grow in faith or character. We are reminded of this same truth in the
New Testament in Hebrews 12:6, "For whom the Lord loves He
chastens". God uses personal difficulties to teach us new truths from
His Word (Psalms 119:50; 75; 92-95).
In verses 13-14, there is coming a time of judgment
("days of adversity"), but the Lord will spare His people from it.
The longer the wicked persist in their sins, the deeper is the pit they are
digging for themselves and the stronger the net that will trap them (v. 13).
God cannot reject His people who are bound to Him in His covenant (v. 14). This
truth is found in many other passages such as: Psalm 37:28-29; Deut. 32:9; Isa.
49:14-18; and Jer. 10:16.
“But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the
upright in heart will follow it.” (v. 15). It is obvious that
the psalmist believed in the justice of God, the future judgment of the wicked,
and the promise of a righteous kingdom for the upright in heart. If we also
believe this, we can experience “rest” and peace in the midst of a troubled and
disturbed world that is full of injustices.
God bless!
