Passage: Psalm 94
The Big Idea
Psalm 94 cries out to the Judge of the earth: How long will the proud triumph and crush God’s people? They say God doesn’t see. But He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? Then the psalm turns tender: the Lord won’t forsake His people. If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
Reflections
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! (vv. 1-2). I love to call on Your name. You’ll take care of me and my family. You see the proud, and You’ll bring them down. I can wait for that, and abide in humility.
How long will the wicked triumph? (vv. 3-7). I hate to see deception succeed. It breaks God’s people in pieces and afflicts His heritage. It pulls the vulnerable away. Rise up and save. Expose the lies of a false life.
Understand, you senseless among the people (v. 8). Just turn to the Lord! He’ll rescue, revive, forgive and restore.
He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? (v. 9). I’ve acted like a fool who thinks You don’t see or hear. I’ve lived as if You weren’t near. Forgive me. Jesus, You’ve erased everything that kept us apart, and I need to have faith in that work so I can walk with You each day.
He who teaches man knowledge… the Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile (vv. 10-11). You’re wiser than me, even when I act like I know everything. You’ve made a way, and we ignore it.
Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord… that You may give him rest from the days of adversity (vv. 12-13). I have no hope of spiritual life without Your gift and grace. So I humbly ask You to teach me. I don’t feel anything right now, but I trust Your Spirit, and I’ll give You time.
For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance (v. 14). I needed this today.
Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence (vv. 16-17). You’re my help. You’ve already stood up for me; You laid down Your life. Now answer my prayer in power.
If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up (v. 18). I have confidence in Your mercy. I need an ocean of it. I fail so much. Keep me from falling.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul (v. 19). Not just calm: delight.
Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? (v. 20). When I choose sin, I’m submitting to a throne of iniquity. I repent and choose Your throne, the throne of grace.
They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood (v. 21). This was done to Jesus. And then You gave me Your innocent blood as a gift, to make me righteous, though I was one of the sinners who came against You.
But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge (v. 22). I don’t deserve it or earn it. You’ve stood up for me, protected me and provided for me.
He has brought on them their own iniquity (v. 23). This comforts me. It also reminds me of the circumcision of the heart. Cut away the wickedness of my own heart, too.
Grace Takeaway
God sees, God hears, and God will set things right. Meanwhile, when your foot slips, His mercy holds you up, and when anxieties multiply, His comforts delight your soul.
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