READ: Ps. 94:1-23: … O God of vengeance, shine forth! Judge of the earth, rise up … For the LORD will not cast off His people … But the LORD has been my defence … He will bring on them their own iniquity … He shall cut them off.
Let us establish at the outset that these words of retribution and judgment cannot simply be put into our mouths with regard to our earthly “enemies.” First, this is not taking justice into our own hands; rather, God is addressed as Judge, who judges righteously and precisely concerning the injustice of others.
Furthermore, these are not personal enemies but enemies of God’s people and therefore enemies of God. Thus, the LORD has spoken concerning the heathen nations who lead God’s people into captivity: “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense,” Deut. 32:35. In addition, this is the time of the Old Testament, when salvation had not yet come to the Gentiles.
Yet this is the Word of God that is placed in our mouths as part of our relationship with the Lord. It tells us precisely that the Lord is a righteous God who is gracious toward His children but does not leave injustice unpunished. With this God the church may take refuge, without considering herself better than others.
We must continually examine ourselves to see whether we ourselves act justly, knowing that the Lord hates all injustice and sin, also and especially among His children (1 Jn. 1:8-10).
In the appeal that the psalmist makes to God, he asks Him how long He will continue to allow the wicked to inflict injustice and distress upon His own people. The “crushing,” “oppressing,” and “killing” by evildoers come not only from enemies, but also from malicious members of God’s people (cf. Ps. 50).
Despite the continuation of the oppression, the psalmist holds fast to the LORD as his deliverer in times of trouble. He sees the continuing oppression as a trial from the LORD (vv.12,13). He then also speaks of his certainty in the LORD. He will not abandon His people, His own possession. He is his Helper and will surely execute justice.
What does the NT say about the continuation of the church?
Sing: Ps. 94:6,7