Psalms 94:1
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֖ל
God
H410
אֵ֖ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 6
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
נְקָמ֣וֹת
to whom vengeance
H5360
נְקָמ֣וֹת
to whom vengeance
Strong's:
H5360
Word #:
2 of 6
avengement, whether the act of the passion
יְהוָ֑ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֖ל
God
H410
אֵ֖ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 6
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
Cross References
Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Nahum 1:2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.Isaiah 59:17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Hebrews 10:30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.Jeremiah 50:28The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Historical Context
Written during a time of oppression, likely when Israel faced persecution from wicked rulers or foreign powers, this psalm voices the cry of the oppressed for divine intervention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does entrusting vengeance to God free you from bitterness when you experience injustice?
- What does it mean to pray for God's justice while also extending forgiveness to those who wrong you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This imprecatory psalm appeals to God as 'the God to whom vengeance belongeth' (El neqamot—literally 'God of vengeances'), using the plural to intensify the concept. The call for God to 'shew thyself' (hofa) requests visible manifestation of His justice. The dual address to 'O LORD God' and repetition of 'shew thyself' creates urgency and intensity. This verse establishes that vengeance belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19), not to human agents, while affirming that God will actively judge evil.