Psalm 94 (93):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As we attentively absorb the reading of the Psalm, let us also be eager to uncover the divine truths concealed within this passage. Certain mysteries within Scripture remain hidden not to be rejected but to be revealed to those who earnestly seek. Therefore, if you approach with genuine piety and heartfelt love, the Lord, who understands your intentions, will make Himself known to you. Matthew 7:7 Many of us are aware, and perhaps wish we were not among them, of those who grumble against God's patience, lamenting the presence of wicked individuals in the world or their overwhelming influence. They observe how the evil often wield power over the righteous, how the good endure suffering while the wicked thrive, how the arrogant prevail while the humble are oppressed. In these painful observations about humanity, weak and impatient hearts are led astray, questioning whether their righteousness carries any weight, as it appears that God shifts His gaze away from the good and grants favor to those who indulge in sin. Consequently, those who feel that they labor in vain are tempted to follow the path of the wicked they see prospering. Others, constrained by fear of the world’s judgment, refrain from wrongdoing not out of love for justice but from the fear of societal condemnation, ultimately allowing evil thoughts to flourish in their hearts. Among the most destructive of these thoughts is the misconception that God turns a blind eye to human actions, treating righteous and wicked alike, or worse, that He favors the wicked while persecuting the righteous. Such a mindset is self-destructive; while it does not harm God, it devastates the believer’s own soul.

This Psalm carries the title of “A Psalm of David” on the fourth day of the week, aimed to instill patience in the suffering of the righteous and to bolster their endurance against the success of evildoers. Every part of it, from start to finish, conveys this theme. You may wonder why it is titled after the fourth day of the week. The first day is the Lord’s Day, the second is referred to as the lunar day, and the third is known as the Martian day. The fourth, recognized by many as the day of Mercury and similarly by many Christians, ought not to bear that name, and I would prefer they abandon it for a more commendable term, for such labels do not have universal significance; various nations have their own designations that may not align with the Church’s language. Those who have adopted customs with which their hearts disagree should remember that the names given to celestial bodies are merely associated with men who were honored not for eternal significance but for their earthly deeds. Men in ages past were easily misled, attributing celestial honors to those who assumed themselves worthy of such accolades, despite the fact that the stars shone long before any human recognition was bestowed upon them. This fallacy was fostered by the devil and vanquished by Christ. Therefore, in our own terms, we consider the fourth day in reference to the Lord’s Day. Beloved, recognize the significance of this title; there exists a profound and truly concealed mystery.

Reflecting on the Scriptures in Genesis, we find that on the first day, light was created; on the second, the firmament, which God named heaven; on the third, the earth and seas were formed and separated, with gatherings of water named seas and dry land called earth. On the fourth day, God made the heavenly lights: Genesis 1:3-19 the sun to govern the day, and the moon and stars to oversee the night. Why does this Psalm take its name from the fourth day? It is a psalm that encourages patience amidst the prosperity of the wicked while the righteous endure trials. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless and innocent, ye sons of God, without reproach among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16

Now let us contemplate the Psalm. The Lord is a God of vengeance; a God who executes vengeance confidently. Psalm 93:1 Do you believe He does not punish? The Almighty does indeed dispense justice. What does it mean that He is a God of vengeance? It means He metes out correction. You may grumble because the wicked seem unpunished; be cautious not to join the ranks of those who face punishment themselves. Consider those who commit theft and thrive: you may protest against God’s apparent inaction because the thief escapes justice. Thus, if you wish for another to correct his actions, first correct your own speech: amend your heart towards your fellow man and towards God, lest when you cry out for divine vengeance, you find yourself among those judged. His judgment will surely come: He will come to judge the wicked, those who remain undeserving of His enduring mercy, gathering wrath for the day of reckoning and the revelation of righteous judgment. For God will repay each person according to their deeds - Romans 2:4-6 for in being a God of vengeance, He acts with certainty.

Our salvation lies in our Savior, upon whom He will place hope for all who are needy and destitute. What does He declare? I will act with certainty in Him. This means He will not falter nor will He spare the lusts and vices of humanity. Like a devoted physician wielding the scalpel of truth, He excises our spiritual ailments. Just as foreseen and proclaimed, this is how He manifested. What profound truths did He, who taught as one possessing authority, declare? Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! He spoke such bold words before them, unafraid of their responses. Why? Because He is a God of vengeance. He spared no one with His words that they might remain receptive even after He withheld judgment, for if they were unwilling to accept the healing found in His teachings, they would only invite their own condemnation. Why? Because He asserted: “The Lord is a God of vengeance,” the God who proceeds with certainty – the Lord leaves no one exempt from His words. He who does not spare words before suffering, will not spare judgment. He who did not fear in humility will not fear in glory. Consider how He acted in historical times; imagine how He will accomplish His will at the end of days. Do not grumble against God for the seeming reprieve afforded the wicked; rather be kind, for perhaps momentarily He may withhold punishment from you, so as to eventually extend mercy in judgment.

What follows this unwavering confidence? Be exalted, O Judge of the world. Psalm 92:2 They imprisoned Him in His humility; do you think they will restrain Him in His exaltation? They judged Him while He walked this earth; will they not face judgment by Him, having become immortal? What does He proclaim? Be exalted, O you who acted with confidence, whose trust the wicked could not endure, thinking they had achieved a great victory in seizing and crucifying Him, those who should have approached Him in belief instead assaulted Him with persecution. Therefore, you who acted confidently among the wicked, fearing no one, be exalted; that is, rise again and ascend to heaven. The Church must likewise endure patiently what its Head experiences in His long-suffering. Be exalted, O Judge of the world, and reward the proud according to their deeds. He will indeed reward them, dear friends. What does it signify for Him to exalt the Judge of the world and recompense the proud accordingly? It foretells the prophecy of one declaring, rather than a command. It is not merely the Prophet stating, “Be exalted, O Judge of the world,” that necessitated Christ’s obedience in rising from the dead and ascending to heaven; rather, it is Christ’s glorious purpose that the Prophet proclaimed in advance. He acknowledges the humble spirit of Christ, observing Him unafraid of any before Him, who neither spares nor holds back in His pronouncements. Observe His faithfulness even as He faced arrest, crucifixion, and abjection, witnessing His resurrection and ascension into heaven, where He will return to judge those responsible for His earthly suffering: Be exalted, indeed, for You are the Judge of the world, rewarding the proud in alignment with their actions. And thus, in due time, He will liberate the proud while ultimately forsaking the humble. Who are the proud? They tend to commit lesser evils, yet they justify their wrongdoings. Yet even those who brought about Christ’s crucifixion had their lives transformed; many became believers, washed in His blood and integrated into His Church. The very hands stained with His blood became part of that sacred body. Consequently, they once inflicted harm upon Him, now receive healing from the very blood they shed.

“Lord, how long shall the wicked rejoice? How long shall the wicked rejoice?” Psalm 92:3 They will answer, speaking evil; all will speak, committing injustices. Psalm 93:4 What do they utter? They raise accusations against God, questioning, “What benefit is there in our way of life?” What will you reply? Does God truly regard our actions? Their lives are a tangible testament that God is unaware of their deeds. That is the reality of their wickedness! If the authorities were aware of their wrongdoing, they would apprehend them; they distinctly avoid scrutiny to elude punishment. Yet no one can escape the gaze of God, for He discerns not only outward appearances but also the secrets of the heart. Even they acknowledge that nothing escapes divine knowledge; and thus they commit sins with a sense of entitlement, as if God were indifferent to their actions. They misinterpret God’s forbearance, suggesting that His delay in punishing is indicative of His approval, questioning whether God cares about their choices. Unfortunate soul! God considered you worthy of existence; does He not also desire your moral integrity? This is the mindset of the wicked, asserting, “The Lord will neither see nor take heed of our actions.”

However, you foolish mortals, take heed! Dear fools, understand truth in time! Psalm 92:8 He teaches His people, their steps may falter, and when they behold the prosperity of the wicked, those who find themselves among the righteous, they grow envious and feel compelled to imitate the wicked. It appears to them that righteous living yields no reward, and if they await future salvation, they will not miss it. Your work is within the vineyard; perform your tasks and you shall receive your reward. Do you expect payment before a task is completed? Patience is part of your labor, and your remuneration depends upon your efforts: those reluctant to remain patient risk getting less in the vineyard, for their persistence in enduring suffering is the core of their labor, connected to their well-deserved reward. Should you be faithless, beware that you might not only miss your compensation but also risk punishment for your treachery. A negligent laborer, wrongly believing they can hide from their overseer in the moments of his absence, will find themselves exposed when their master’s gaze returns. But know this: God, your true master, never averts His sight; you cannot deceive Him nor slink away to engage in wrongdoing without His awareness. If you have entertained doubts, having observed the prosperity of the wicked, this Psalm addresses you. And if you do not find yourself troubled, know that others will be prompted to heed it through you: “Be vigilant now, for they claim ‘The Lord will not see,’ and the God of Jacob will not pay attention.” Beware, foolish souls, for you shall comprehend these truths eventually!

While history demonstrates that the vulnerable are often subjected to oppression, and that such oppression leads to greater offense against God, it is also important to interpret these events symbolically. It has been noted that heretics are described as slaying "the widow and the stranger." The widow, mourning the loss of her husband—symbolizing God—represents a soul caught in sin. The stranger signifies one who is not rooted or connected, reflecting a former believer who, through temptation, has fallen away. "And the orphans were tormented, and said, The Lord shall not see." We must ponder this: if "orphans" are mentioned, where then is the widow? For if she represents a sinner's soul, then the orphans symbolize those who reject God’s fatherhood. "And they said." What was their claim?

This represents the utmost level of iniquity! The prophet declares that they engage in such actions without acknowledging that You are vigilant and aware of human affairs. Furthermore, it is not merely mentioned that You are the God of Jacob; this serves to amplify the rebuke. For when they understand the magnitude of Your Divine Providence toward humankind, manifested in the sending of Your Prophets and the establishment of Your priests, in both conflict and tranquility, they show no reverence for the Sovereign Lord who oversees us. Following this, the prophet offers them guidance and encouragement.

Although the wicked may not articulate these sentiments verbally, their inner being reflects them. If they truly believed that God is aware of the injustices they commit, they would surely refrain from acting unjustly towards their fellow beings. Understanding is akin to hearing and perceiving. Another observes that these words reveal significant accusations against them. They not only inflict harm upon the most vulnerable and impose burdensome sufferings on those who deserve kindness—implying a state of despair—but they also speak ill of the Almighty, asserting that He is oblivious to human affairs and indifferent to our circumstances. Athanasius remarks that these predators and lawless individuals may not vocalize their treachery but express it in their thoughts. Theodoret notes that it exemplifies the peak of wickedness when they dare to act in this manner, failing to recognize that You see and care for human matters.

While thieves and unruly individuals may not articulate their intentions aloud, their thoughts reflect a different story. They would never dare to exploit or take the lives of orphans, for whom God serves as a protector, nor harm widows, for whom He acts as a judge, nor mistreat strangers, whom He cherishes, as stated by Moses the lawgiver (Deuteronomy 10:18). Such behaviors emerge only from a reckless mindset, one that deceives itself into believing it can elude the Creator, as if God were unaware of the world’s struggles or that the Judge were absent in overseeing humanity's affairs.

This passage should not be interpreted as if the unrighteous uttered identical words; rather, it reflects their flawed perception of God, believing He is indifferent to humanity. The Prophet rightly rebukes them for their assumption that the world is not under divine governance and that there exists no authority to whom they must answer for their actions. Had they truly recognized God’s Providence, they would have approached Him with reverence, fostering a sense of awe and fear regarding His sovereignty. Thus, the Prophet's intention is to reveal the inner depravity of the wicked and to illustrate how the sinner, having dismissed the fear of God, indulges in every vice.

David’s Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was sung on the fourth day of the week, which symbolizes the time when the unrighteous leaders of the Jews conspired against Christ the Lord with the intent to take His life. This prophecy reveals the hidden truths within the Psalm. The significance of the fourth day of praise to God lies in the fact that He created the heavenly lights—namely the sun, moon, and stars—on this day (Genesis 1:16-19). In this Psalm, the prophet condemns arrogant and boastful individuals, as well as unjust authorities and judges who wrong the vulnerable, such as the poor, orphans, and innocent people.