[4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
Utter — Or pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters (so this Hebrew word signifies.) Hard things - Insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people.
Verse 7
[7] Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
Of Jacob — He who takes that name to himself, but has no regard to his people.
Verse 9
[9] He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
Planted — The word is emphatical, signifying the excellent structure of the ear, or the several organs belonging to the sense of hearing.
Formed — By which word he intimates the accurate and curious workmanship of the eye.
Verse 10
[10] He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
Know — Mens thoughts and words and actions.
Verse 11
[11] The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Thoughts — Yes, he knoweth all things, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts; much more your practices.
Verse 12
[12] Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
Blessed — Those afflictions which are accompanied with Divine instructions are great and true blessings.
Verse 15
[15] But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
But — God will declare himself to be a righteous judge, and will again establish justice in the earth.
Follow — They will all approve of it, and imitate this justice of God in all their actions.
Verse 16
[16] Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Rise — To defend and help me. I looked hither and thither, but none appeared; God alone helped me.
Verse 17
[17] Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
Dwelt — In the place of silence, the grave.
Verse 19
[19] In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Thoughts — While my heart was filled with various and perplexing thoughts, as this Hebrew word signifies.
Comforts — Thy promises, and the remembrance of my former experience of thy care and kindness.
Verse 20
[20] Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
Shall — Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world who oppress thy people.
A law — By virtue of those unrighteous decrees which they have made.
Psalm 94 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 4
[4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
Utter — Or pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters (so this Hebrew word signifies.) Hard things - Insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people.
Verse 7
[7] Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
Of Jacob — He who takes that name to himself, but has no regard to his people.
Verse 9
[9] He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
Planted — The word is emphatical, signifying the excellent structure of the ear, or the several organs belonging to the sense of hearing.
Formed — By which word he intimates the accurate and curious workmanship of the eye.
Verse 10
[10] He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
Know — Mens thoughts and words and actions.
Verse 11
[11] The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Thoughts — Yes, he knoweth all things, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts; much more your practices.
Verse 12
[12] Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
Blessed — Those afflictions which are accompanied with Divine instructions are great and true blessings.
Verse 15
[15] But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
But — God will declare himself to be a righteous judge, and will again establish justice in the earth.
Follow — They will all approve of it, and imitate this justice of God in all their actions.
Verse 16
[16] Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
Rise — To defend and help me. I looked hither and thither, but none appeared; God alone helped me.
Verse 17
[17] Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.
Dwelt — In the place of silence, the grave.
Verse 19
[19] In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
Thoughts — While my heart was filled with various and perplexing thoughts, as this Hebrew word signifies.
Comforts — Thy promises, and the remembrance of my former experience of thy care and kindness.
Verse 20
[20] Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
Shall — Wilt thou take part with the unrighteous powers of the world who oppress thy people.
A law — By virtue of those unrighteous decrees which they have made.