Psalm 94 (93):10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As we attentively engage with the recitation of the Psalm, we shall also focus intently on the mysteries the Lord seeks to disclose within this passage. Some truths in the Holy Scriptures are concealed not to be disregarded but to be revealed to those who earnestly seek. If you approach with genuine faith and a heartfelt desire, the One who knows your intentions will make Himself known to you. Matthew 7:7 We all recognize (and wish not to be counted among them) those who grumble against God's forbearance, lamenting the existence of wicked men or their substantial influence; they observe that the corrupt often wield power over the righteous, witnessing the joy of the wicked alongside the suffering of the good, the pride of the evildoer contrasting starkly with the humility of the virtuous. Such observations can lead the weak-minded and impatient to question, feeling as if their righteousness has been in vain, as if God overlooks the good deeds of His faithful servants while the wicked revel in their chosen pleasures. In this state of discontent, these individuals may either emulate the misdeeds of the prosperous or refrain from just actions, constrained not by love for righteousness but out of fear of societal repercussions. Outwardly, they may restrain from wrongful deeds, yet their minds remain unbridled in sinful thoughts. Chiefly among these erroneous ideas is the belief that God neglects human actions entirely or even treats both good and evil alike, or worse, that He favors the corrupt and punishes the righteous. Such a mindset, while seemingly harmless to others, is profoundly damaging to oneself, resulting in a self-inflicted wickedness that fails to offend God but leads to one's own despair.

The title of this Psalm identifies it as a composition of David himself, designated for the fourth day of the week. Its purpose is to foster patience among the righteous amidst their suffering, urging them to remain steadfast against the prosperity of the wicked. This thematic continuity runs throughout the Psalm. Why, then, is it correlated with the fourth day? The first day belongs to the Lord; the second, recognized by the world as the lunar day; the third is the day assigned to Mars. Hence, the fourth day is labeled by Gentiles as that of Mercury, a terminology many Christians also adopt; I would prefer they adopt a more fitting term for a Christian context. Such designations lack universal application, with various cultures providing differing names, thereby highlighting that the Church's language is more appropriate for believers. If one has been conditioned by habit to use language their heart disapproves of, let them remember that the stars were named after mere mortals, who were acknowledged not because of their eternal significance but due to their reputations among men. Those from ancient times deceived themselves by attributing celestial honors to figures of this world, who had benefited them in temporary ways, thus perpetuating a misleading tradition reinforced by the devil, which Christ dismantled. Consequently, we now interpret the fourth week as the day subsequent to the Lord's Day. Beloved, consider the significance behind this designation. Herein lies a profound mystery; indeed, a hidden truth.

Let us remind ourselves of the Genesis account, observing what was created on the first day: light; on the second, the expanse which God named heaven; on the third, the delineation of earth and sea, gathering waters termed as seas, and dry land called earth. Then, on the fourth day, God made celestial luminaries: Genesis 1:3-19 The sun to rule the day, the moon and stars to govern the night. Why does this Psalm bear a name associated with the fourth day, focusing on patience amidst the triumph of the wicked while the righteous suffer? Consider the words of the apostle Paul: “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless and harmless, ye sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16

Let us now examine the Psalm. "The Lord is a God of vengeance; a God of vengeance who acts decisively" Psalm 93:1. Do you presume He does not administer justice? The God of vengeance does indeed punish. What does it mean that He is a God of vengeance? It suggests He is a God of discipline. You lament the lack of retribution against the wicked, yet do not let your complaints place you among those ripe for punishment. You witness a thief who continues to thrive, and you blame God because this thief has not faced immediate consequences. Therefore, if you desire to see that thief corrected, first correct your own speech and align your heart appropriately toward both man and God. Otherwise, when you call for divine retribution, you may find that it first finds you. For He will come: He will arrive to judge those entrenched in their wickedness, who ignore the grace of His forbearance, gathering wrath for the day of judgment and the unveiling of righteous justice. God will reward every individual according to their deeds—Romans 2:4-6, for the Lord embodies vengeance, therefore He acts with confidence.

Our safety rests in our Savior; upon Him, He will place the hope of all the needy and the poor. And what does He say? “I will confidently rely on Him.” What does this signify? He will not fear nor hesitate to confront the passions and vices of humanity, as a compassionate healer, wielding the sword of truth boldly to mend all our afflictions. Thus He manifested as foretold, and His teachings proclaimed with unparalleled authority, saying, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” He feared no one; why? Because He is the God of vengeance. That is why He did not hold back in speech; His dire warnings provided an opportunity for repentance, and without them, those who rejected His healing words would ultimately face their Judge's condemnation.

He who could not spare in His warnings before suffering will not hold back in judgment when He administers justice. He who, in humility, feared no one shall not tremble at His glory. In light of His assured actions in history, ponder how He will act at the final judgment. Do not grumble against God, believing Him to overlook the wicked; but rather show kindness, that in due time, He might spare you the rod and instead grant you mercy in the day of reckoning.

And what follows His decisive action? “Be exalted, O Judge of the world.” Psalm 92:2. When they imprisoned Him in His humility, do you think they will dare imprison Him when He is exalted? When they judged Him in His mortality, will they not face judgment by Him in eternity? What does He declare? “Be exalted, O You who have acted with confidence; for those who could not bear the gravity of His words sought to condemn Him, believing they performed a glorious act in crucifying Him. They who ought to have seized Him in faith instead chose to do so in malice. Therefore, you who have acted with resolute confidence amid wickedness should now rise to glory—ascend to heaven and allow the Church to bear patiently what the Head has suffered in His forbearance. "Be exalted, O Judge of the world, and reward the proud according to their deeds." He will surely pay them, dear brethren.

What does it mean: “Exalt Thyself, O Judge of the world, and recompense the proud according to their deeds?” It bears the nature of prophecy, declaring what shall come to pass, not commanding it. Not because the Prophet said, “Be exalted, O Judge of the world,” that Christ obliged by resurrecting and ascending; rather, the Prophet foretold it because it was to occur. Witnessing Christ humiliated in spirit, unafraid, daring to confront all, He acted decisively throughout His ministry; witnessing Him crucified, then risen, ascending into heaven, issuing judgment upon those who inflicted suffering: “Be exalted,” he proclaims, “You are the Judge of the world, and repay the proud for their actions.” Thus, He will reward the arrogant, not the humble.

Who qualifies as the proud? Those who perpetrate lesser evil, but stand adamantly to defend their misdeeds. Following the crucifixion, even miraculous signs were performed among some who had participated in that unjust act, and who in turn found faith amongst their peers. Their hands, stained with the blood of Christ, were washed clean by the One whom they had slain. The very persecutors of His mortal body soon became part of His mystical body through the Church, who absorbed the blood shed for their redemption. Their shame turned to glory, their punishment into grace.

"O Lord, how long will the wicked triumph, how long will the wicked triumph?” Psalm 92:3. They will raise their voices, speaking against the Lord, proclaiming their lives to be of no account. Psalm 93:4. What do they express but opposition to God, believing there is no reward for a righteous life? What will you reply? Does God regard our actions? The wicked, despite their awareness, lie to themselves regarding their hidden deeds. If human law were to catch them, they would cease; but no one can elude the gaze of God, who sees both openly and deep within the heart's secrets. They themselves harbor a belief that nothing escapes God's notice, yet they continue in wrongdoing, and thus they convince themselves that they please Him, having a false assurance that as no human authority exercises judgment over them, they consequently escape divine scrutiny.

But some just soul arises and says, "Do not commit iniquity, lest you perish." He states, "I have sinned; why have I not faced punishment? But that righteous man acted justly and perished; why? I have committed transgressions and God remains silent. Observe, that man acted rightly—why was he punished, while I remain unscathed?" These inquiries forge their arguments. Their continual existence stands as proof of the Heavens’ forbearance, providing them with flawed rationale for the apparent lack of punishment. The Scriptures reveal the reason for God’s grace and restraint: "And dost thou think, O man, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God, or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" But you, that is, those who question their standing with God, listen carefully; for after a season of hardness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against the day of judgment and the revelation of God's righteous judgment, who will repay each man according to his deeds. Romans 2:5-6 Therefore, as His patience increases, your transgressions grow more abundant. His treasure consists of enduring mercy toward those who have honored His grace, but your fate will be a revelation of wrath, and the accumulated burden you amass through your daily sinning will eventually come crashing down upon you. Do not neglect the petty sins of each day, for even rivers are filled from the smallest drops.

"They have afflicted Thy people, O Lord, and oppressed Thy heritage." Psalm 92:5. They have slain the widow and orphan, and have destroyed the sojourner. Psalm 92:6; that is, the traveler, a pilgrim; someone who arrives from distant lands, as the psalmist describes. Each of these phrases is clear in its meaning, requiring no further elaboration.

Can He who instructs others truly be unaware of Himself? "He who teaches man knowledge," and by extension, does He lack this knowledge? An alternative understanding of the statement is that He who established the Law did so to enlighten those who receive it and to discipline those who violate it. "He who teaches man knowledge" does not inquire, "Does He not possess knowledge Himself?" But what did the psalmist express?

The prophet addresses them, saying: Consider this now, you senseless individuals among the people! O foolish ones, awaken to wisdom! Does not He who formed the ear hear? Does He who fashioned the eye not see? He who imparts understanding to the nations, would He not correct the very One who grants man comprehension? The Lord discerns the thoughts of humanity, and knows they are fleeting (Psalm 93:8-11). If He understands their emptiness, can He not recognize what is holy and acknowledge His own creation? Can a craftsman be unaware of what he has made? Even mankind knows the hidden aspects of their own creations, yet is it possible that God remains oblivious to His own handiwork? Is there greater depth in the created than in the Creator: has He produced anything beyond Himself, whose qualities escape His knowledge, and whose state He cannot evaluate? Thus, David replied to them.

Will He who corrects the tongues not also admonish them? He disciplines the nations that lack the law and do not heed the prophetic message; will He not call out your transgressions? Instruct humanity in understanding. He fashioned human beings with the gift of intellect, and through the wonders of creation and the daily occurrences around us, He imparts even deeper wisdom.

The One who instructs and refines our speech, will He not also correct and guide mankind in understanding? The Lord, who counsels and disciplines nations through the inherent laws He has imparted to them, as well as punishing transgressors through the strictness of these laws, will He not bring judgment upon those who commit injustices? Furthermore, the God who bestows wisdom upon humanity surely knows their evil deeds and moral failings.

The prophet raises this question not out of doubt but as a universally acknowledged truth, highlighting the shame of those who fail to recognize it. If God administers discipline to numerous nations, signifying humanity, how can He refrain from addressing each individual sinner? And in what way does He chastise the nations? He imparts, He states, ‘understanding.’ What sort of understanding is this? It is the capacity to distinguish between good and evil, between what is detrimental and what is beneficial. God does not rely on external instructors or teachers for this knowledge; rather, it originates from our intrinsic awareness. Through this innate understanding, He will bring correction to sinners, meaning He will pass judgment upon them. We cannot plead ignorance before God regarding truth and deception, for natural law has equipped us with the ability to discern between the two.

What is the fifth gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit? The fifth gift is understanding. The Holy Psalmist articulates this by asking, “Will He who disciplines the nations, who teaches man knowledge, no longer reprove?” (Psalm 93:10). Additionally, another Prophet asserts, “I will give you shepherds according to my heart, and they shall shepherd you with understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). This guidance or understanding must aim towards grasping the will of God and His law. It stands in contrast to ignorance of God's law and will, which the Psalmist condemns when he states, “Thou shalt pour out Thy wrath upon the tongues of them that know Thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon Thy name” (Ps. 78:6).

Servants who are capricious and morally corrupt carry on as they please, believing their master is unaware of their actions. They act as if their master is oblivious to them, assuming that no one observes their behavior. Many unscrupulous believers similarly violate their own conscience and God's commandments, as though Christ does not witness their deeds, claiming, "Christ is in heaven, far removed from us, and does not behold us or our actions." This notion may resonate with many. However, the Psalmist proclaims to all, "The Lord looked down from heaven, He saw all the sons of men. From His prepared dwelling He has looked upon all who dwell on the earth, He who made their hearts, and sees into all their works" (Psalm 32:13-15).

Through these statements, the Prophet illustrates that the wicked foolishly seek comfort in the absence of punishment, even as they observe that all sinful nations are subjected to God's judgments. He argues from the greater to the lesser, concluding that if the Almighty does not exempt entire nations, but justly punishes their transgressions, it stands to reason that a few ungodly individuals would not be left unpunished. Some of these remarks pertain to notable judgments recorded in the Holy Scriptures, such as those inflicted upon Sodom and Gomorrah and the entirety of humankind, where the former faced destruction by divine fire and the latter by a global deluge. Other statements more pointedly address those who, despite witnessing the devastation of nations, remain unrepentant.

The Psalm attributed to David is divinely inspired and was sung on the fourth day of the sacred week, which represents the time when the unrighteous leaders among the Jews conspired to bring harm to Christ the Lord, foreshadowed by the mystery revealed in this Psalm. This fourth day of praise celebrates God's creation of the celestial bodies: the sun, the moon, and the stars (Genesis 1:16-19). In this passage, the prophet condemns the arrogant and powerful, as well as all unjust rulers and judges who exploit the vulnerable, including the poor, orphans, and innocent individuals, instilling fear through the prospect of divine judgment and eternal damnation. He highlights God's grace and compassion towards the afflicted and the divine assistance available to those who seek it.