Psalms 94:21
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֭גוֹדּוּ
They gather themselves together
H1413
יָ֭גוֹדּוּ
They gather themselves together
Strong's:
H1413
Word #:
1 of 7
to crowd; also to gash (as if by pressing into)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
against the soul
H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
against the soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:Psalms 59:3For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.Proverbs 17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.Exodus 23:7Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.Revelation 17:6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.Psalms 22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Proverbs 1:11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:Matthew 27:4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.James 5:6Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.Ezekiel 22:12In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's courts were vulnerable to corruption. Prophets like Amos, Isaiah, and Micah repeatedly condemned judges who accepted bribes and condemned the innocent. Jeremiah was nearly killed by such a court (Jeremiah 26). Roman courts were similarly susceptible to political manipulation.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you witnessed legal or institutional systems weaponized against the innocent?
- How should Christians respond when justice systems become instruments of oppression?
- What comfort does this verse offer those falsely accused or condemned by corrupt authorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous (יָגוֹדּוּ עַל־נֶפֶשׁ צַדִּיק, yagoddu al-nefesh tzaddik)—Gadad means gather, band together, attack in a group. And condemn the innocent blood (וְדָם נָקִי יַרְשִׁיעוּ, ve-dam naki yarshi'u)—Dam naki is innocent blood; rasha as verb means declare guilty, condemn.
Psalm 94 addresses judicial corruption where the wicked conspire to condemn the righteous. This isn't individual persecution but systemic injustice—courts weaponized against God's people. Jesus experienced this (Matthew 26:59-60), as did Stephen (Acts 6:11-14) and Paul (Acts 24:1-9). The phrase "innocent blood" recalls Deuteronomy 19:10's warning against shedding it. God will judge such perversion of justice.