Psalms 94:5
They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
Original Language Analysis
עַמְּךָ֣
thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֣
thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
1 of 5
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְדַכְּא֑וּ
They break in pieces
H1792
יְדַכְּא֑וּ
They break in pieces
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
3 of 5
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Israel as God's chosen people (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 7:6) meant that their oppression was an affront to God's sovereign choice and covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing you are God's 'heritage' affect your response to opposition and persecution?
- In what ways do you see God's people being 'broken in pieces' in today's world, and how should you respond?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist describes the wicked 'breaking in pieces' (daka—crush, oppress) God's people and afflicting His heritage (nachalah—possession, inheritance). The dual description 'thy people' and 'thine heritage' emphasizes that attacking God's people is attacking God's own possession. This verse establishes that persecution of believers is not merely horizontal conflict but vertical offense against God. The LORD takes personally the suffering inflicted on His people, a principle Jesus affirms in Matthew 25:40, 45.