Psalms 94:1
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
American King James Version (AKJV)
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs; O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
American Standard Version (ASV)
O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
O God, in whose hands is punishment, O God of punishment, let your shining face be seen.
Webster's Revision
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself.
World English Bible
Yahweh, you God to whom vengeance belongs, you God to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth.
English Revised Version (ERV)
O LORD, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.
Clarke's Psalms 94:1 Bible Commentary
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth - God is the author of retributive justice, as well as of mercy. This retributive justice is what we often term vengeance, but perhaps improperly; for vengeance with us signifies an excitement of angry passions, in order to gratify a vindictive spirit, which supposes itself to have received some real injury; whereas what is here referred to is that simple act of justice which gives to all their due.
Barnes's Psalms 94:1 Bible Commentary
O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth ... - Margin, God of revenges The idea is, that it pertains to God to take vengeance, or to punish for crimes. See the notes at Romans 12:19. The appeal here is made to God in view of the crimes committed by others, and which are referred to in the subsequent part of the psalm. God is addressed as having the right to restrain and punish wicked people, and he is asked to interpose and assert that right in a case which clearly demanded it. The appeal is repeated to make it emphatic, or to denote "earnestness" in the petition.
Show thyself - Margin, as in Hebrew, "shine forth." The meaning is, Manifest thyself; come forth as such a God; prove thy right; display thy power, and show that thou art a God opposed to crime and wrong. The same Hebrew word is used here which is found in Psalm 80:1, and which is there rendered "shine forth." See the notes at that passage.
