Psalm 94 (93):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Witnessing these injustices can lead the feeble-minded to feel as if their virtue is in vain, as God appears to withdraw His attention from the righteous, while allowing the wicked to indulge in their desires. Thus, those who are weak may feel compelled either to mimic the wrongdoing of the prosperous or, constrained by fear of societal repercussions, they refrain from evil acts without truly loving righteousness. Their primary sinful thought is that God overlooks human actions, believing He treats both the just and unjust equally, or even, more dangerously, that He persecutes the just while favoring the wicked. Such a mindset, while not directly causing harm to others, ultimately damages their own soul, distancing them from God rather than affecting Him...

The Psalm bears the title: A Psalm of David on the fourth day of the week. This Psalm is designed to instruct us in patience amidst the struggles faced by the righteous; it encourages endurance in the face of the wicked's success and fortifies our perseverance. This theme is consistent from start to finish. But why is it associated with the fourth day of the week? The first day is the Lord’s Day; the second is referred to as the lunar day; the third is known as the Martian day. Hence, the fourth day is recognized by many Gentiles as the day of Mercury, though many Christians also refer to it this way. Yet I would prefer a different designation, wishing they might adopt one more fitting, as these terms vary widely among nations, and a more universally accepted terminology would align better with Christian teaching. If anyone has been led by customs into saying something they inwardly dispute, let them remember that those after whom the stars are named were mere mortals, whose existence began long after the stars had been created. These men received honors not for their eternal legacies, but for their contributions to human life. The misguided ancients, desiring to deceive and gain favor from those who had done them good, falsely attributed the stars to these individuals, believing they could give them divine recognition. The lies of this belief have been perpetuated by deceptive influences, but Christ came to shatter these misconceptions. Thus, in our terminology, the fourth day is counted as the fourth day following the Lord's Day.

Beloved, let us discern the significance of this title. It holds a profound mystery... In Genesis, we learn that on the first day, God created light; on the second day, the firmament, which He called heaven; on the third, He formed the earth and the seas, naming the gathered waters ‘the sea’ and the dry land ‘the earth.’ On the fourth day, the Lord made the celestial bodies: the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to govern the night (Genesis 1:3-19). This raises the question: why does the psalm reference the fourth day in discussing patience amidst wickedness and trials? The Apostle Paul emphasizes perseverance, instructing us to carry out all things without grumbling or arguing, so that we may be blameless and pure, children of God in a warped and crooked generation, among whom we shine like stars in the universe, holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).

Let us delve into this Psalm. The Lord is a God of vengeance, a God who avenges with certainty (Psalm 93:1). Do you think He does not enact judgment? The God of vengeance indeed punishes. A God of vengeance is a God of justice. You may grumble at the lack of punishment for the wicked, but do not complain lest you be among those in need of correction. When a thief goes unpunished, you may question God’s fairness, thinking that because they escape justice, you should follow their lead... So, if you desire correction for others, first amend your own ways; set your heart right towards humanity, then towards God; otherwise, when you seek God's justice, it may catch you unprepared. Judgement will come; He will confront those who persist in their wickedness, those who are ungrateful for His patience, and who store up wrath for themselves for the day of reckoning and revelation of righteous judgment, as God will repay everyone according to their deeds (Romans 2:4-6). Hence, because the Lord is truly a God of vengeance, He can act with certainty...

Our refuge is in our Savior, who places hope in all who are needy. And what does He communicate? 'I will confidently rely on Him.' This indicates that He will not fear or coddle the vices of humanity. Like a devoted physician wielding a surgical knife, He will remove all our ailments. Thus, as prophesied and proclaimed, He has proven true to His word... Consider the weight of His teachings. 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!' What profound messages He conveyed to their faces! He exhibited no fear. Why? Because He is a God of vengeance. Thus, He did not hold back in His admonishments, allowing them the opportunity for redemption even after His warnings. Those unwilling to accept His healing words would ultimately condemn themselves at the hands of their Judge. The Lord is a God of vengeance, who punishes justly based on the sincerity of action and intention.

Do not allow your heart to doubt the justice of God, who seems to delay the punishment of the wicked. Instead, strive to remain righteous; perhaps in patience, He will not bring you to punishment, ultimately saving you from eternal judgment...

What follows from His commitment to justice? "Be exalted, O Judge of the earth!" (Psalm 92:2). Were they able to confine Him in His humility? Certainly, they will not prevail against Him in His exaltation. Were they able to judge Him while He was mortal? Will they not then face judgment themselves in His immortality? He asserts with confidence who, despite the wicked's resistance, acted faithfully in speaking forth the truths they could not bear. Those who should have believed on Him sought only to condemn and kill Him, not realizing they acted against their moral duties in rejecting the proven authority of God's own Son.

Continuing, He calls to be prominent as the Judge who rewards the wicked based on their deeds. Therefore, He will justly repay them. The proud, as He defines, consist not just of overt evildoers but also those who arrogantly defend their sins. Miraculously, some among those who crucified Him were changed upon hearing the message of Christ; washed clean by the very blood they shed. The very hands that brought about His death became integral parts of His body, which is the Church, embarking on a path of redemption.

How often do the wicked gloat, "How long will the evil thrive?" (Psalm 92:3), while they pollute the earth with their blasphemies? They assert doubts about the significance of their lives, rejecting the acknowledgment of God's evident awareness of all their actions, failing to grasp the weight of their deceit. If law enforcement caught them, they would fear punishment. Yet, how can they evade the all-seeing gaze of God who perceives even the hidden motives of the heart? They fool themselves, believing their sinfulness goes unnoticed by divine oversight. Their delusions of pleasing God continue as they enjoy life, yet they remain blind to the reality of their impending accountability.

Even the righteous are tormented, questioning why they do not face instantaneous consequences for their wrongdoing. They see the righteous suffer and wonder why the just endure while the unjust flourish; yet they fail to appreciate that the long-suffering nature of God leads to repentance and growth in character (Romans 2:5-6). Unwittingly, the righteous may stockpile wrath in hardening their hearts against God's merciful delays, accumulating a mountain of iniquities while leisurely ignoring daily temptations.

"They have oppressed Your people, O Lord, and afflicted Your inheritance" (Psalm 92:5). They cause suffering to the widow, the orphan, and the newcomer (Psalm 92:6)... And they confidently declare, "The Lord does not observe" (Psalm 93:7)—thus claiming ignorance of God's care and attention towards them.

Indeed, these fools call out against divine awareness, questioning God's concern for mankind. Brethren, do not let such thoughts consume you. Remember, God cares deeply enough to grant you existence; He surely desires you to lead a virtuous life as well. Those who say, "The Lord will not see," are deeply mistaken, for He perceives every action...

"Understand, fools among men!" (Psalm 92:8). The certainties of life can be concealed by the transient success of the wicked. But consider your role among the faithful—do not fall prey to envy, thinking the way of the unjust beneficial. The righteous must endure, awaiting their reward, as patience in suffering bears the true essence of faith. The laborers are called to work in God's vineyard, and their wages are secured for those who labor with hope.

If we recall God's counsel, He promises rest and eternal life, urging us to endure temporary trials rather than seeking satisfaction in fleeting pleasures. Take heart, for this transient pain serves a purpose, leading to much greater rewards ahead.

God's grace and consolation will sustain us (Psalm 92:19). Even amidst tribulation, the challenges before us will teach us the ways of righteousness and deepen our understanding of God's purpose in our lives. Embrace the knowledge that, although trials may arise, they hold no sway over the eternal promises granted to the faithful.

Beware, dear brethren; know that what seems a burden in this life can lead you closer to divine fellowship. God is inviting you to the kingdom of heaven, offering rest as a reward for your labor. Do not disregard your toil, for it is by laboring earnestly that you acquire eternal rest through Christ, who remains vigilant in your struggles, ensuring the path leads ultimately to Him.

Just as Isaiah volunteered himself, the Lord encourages us by asking, “Who shall rise with Me against the wicked?” Whoever chooses to rise shall do so through Me; they belong to My ranks. This is against those who do evil: the devil and his forces.

When He asks, “And who shall rise with Me?” it is noteworthy that the phrasing does not merely state ‘who will rise and who will rise’ but rather emphasizes the act of rising. First there is a rising, then another rising. “And who shall stand with Me against those who commit iniquity?” It is as though a king proclaims, “Who will join My forces?” Alternatively, when the psalm’s author inquires ‘who,’ it may imply something infrequent or perhaps nothing at all. Thus, the prophet voices the plea of one who feels weak. Who will rise with me against the wicked? Moses came but could not effect change. The prophets appeared and did not liberate me from the shackles of sin. Hence, who will rise with me? The psalmist expresses it beautifully: ‘shall rise up,’ as if awakening from slumber. “Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord?” (Ps. 43:24). “Master, save us, we perish” (Matt. 8:25). Who will rise at my side against the multitude of demons? Who will lend assistance? Who will stand with me against those who act unjustly? The phrase ‘Who will stand with me?’ is striking; for if the Lord, who endured suffering, does not rise with us, if He who slept in death does not awaken, we cannot triumph over our foes. This is illustrated by Stephen, who, amidst the hostile actions of the Jews, beheld Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father (see Acts 7:56). He witnessed Him standing, for the Lord was advocating for His martyr.

This implies that had God not reached out from on high and rescued his life from the brink of death, he would have found himself utterly lost. In summary, the essence of his message is that death loomed so near to the Prophet that he openly confessed to despairing for his life, echoing Paul’s declaration that we feel condemnation within ourselves, relying not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:9).

In this Psalm, the prophet condemns arrogant and self-important individuals as well as corrupt authorities and judges who oppress the needy, the orphans, and the innocent, instilling fear through the threat of divine judgment and eternal punishment; yet he also highlights God's grace and compassion towards the wronged and the assistance offered to those who seek it (Athanasius, Theodoret). The fourth Sabbath points to Wednesday, marking the day when Judas betrayed the Savior and when the Jews initiated their conspiracy against Him—this initiated the process leading to His death and His mission to take vengeance upon the devil (Gregory the Theologian). Wednesday, the day of the council plotting the murder of God, and Friday, the day He was unjustly sentenced, saw the Righteous One lifted upon the cross, occasions when Christians observe a strict fast, reflecting their compassion for Him who suffered on our behalf.