Psalms 94:3
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Original Language Analysis
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
1 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַ֖י
H4970
מָתַ֖י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
how long shall the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
how long shall the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
3 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יְהוָ֑ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָ֝תַ֗י
H4970
מָ֝תַ֗י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
Cross References
Revelation 6:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?Job 20:5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?Psalms 73:8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.Psalms 43:2For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
Historical Context
Israel's history included repeated periods when righteous suffered under wicked rulers, creating existential tension between covenant promises and lived reality.
Questions for Reflection
- What situations of prolonged injustice cause you to cry 'How long, O LORD?' to God?
- How can honest lament before God deepen your faith rather than undermine it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The question 'LORD, how long' (ad-matay Yahweh) expresses the tension between faith in God's justice and the present reality of evil's apparent success. This cry appears throughout Scripture (Psalms 6:3, 13:1-2, Habakkuk 1:2, Revelation 6:10), validating honest lament before God. 'Shall the wicked triumph' (ya'alzu—exult, rejoice) captures the painful reality that evil sometimes appears victorious. The repeated questioning intensifies the plea. This verse teaches that expressing anguish to God about injustice is legitimate prayer, not faithlessness.