Psalm 94 13

Psalm 94:13 kjv

That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Psalm 94:13 nkjv

That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

Psalm 94:13 niv

you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

Psalm 94:13 esv

to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Psalm 94:13 nlt

You give them relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.

Psalm 94 verses

Psalm 94 13 Meaning

Psalm 94:13 conveys a divine promise of peace and security for those whom God instructs and disciplines, a "rest" that is sustained even amidst prolonged periods of trouble. This inner repose is granted while God's just judgment for the wicked is prepared and brought to its inevitable culmination, assuring believers of God's unwavering providence and ultimate vindication.

Psalm 94 13 Context

Psalm 94 is a fervent prayer and lament against the unjust, oppressive wicked who seemingly prosper while despising God and His people. The psalmist appeals to God as the ultimate Judge to rise and take action. Leading into verse 13, verse 12 declares a blessing upon "the man whom You discipline, O Lord, and whom You teach out of Your law." Therefore, verse 13 immediately presents the blessed consequence for this disciplined one: the divine provision of rest and quietness amidst ongoing troubles, precisely because their trust is in God and His righteous governance. This rest is held in tension with the future, yet certain, judgment that awaits the unrighteous, thereby serving as a comfort to the suffering righteous who await God's intervention.

Psalm 94 13 Word analysis

• that thou mayest give him rest (לְהַשְׁקִט - l'hashkit):

  • Hebrew: From the root shaqat (שָׁקַט), in the Hiphil stem, meaning "to cause to be quiet, to give quietness, to bring to rest."
  • Significance: This is not merely an absence of noise or cessation of activity, but a profound inner peace, tranquility, and security bestowed by God. It implies composure and freedom from disturbance amidst turmoil, rather than simply an end to the trouble. This spiritual peace is the divine gift to the one disciplined by the Lord (referring back to v. 12).

• from the days of adversity (מִימֵי רָעָה - mi-yemei ra'ah):

  • Hebrew: Mi (from) + yemei (days of) + ra'ah (evil, trouble, calamity, adversity).
  • Significance: "Days" implies an extended period or recurring experiences of difficulty, suffering, or wickedness from oppressive forces. It underscores the ongoing nature of the affliction from which God provides rest, highlighting His sustained protection and comfort through long periods of distress.

• until (עַד - ad):

  • Hebrew: A preposition meaning "until, up to, as far as, even to."
  • Significance: This conjunction establishes a temporal boundary. It indicates that God's provision of rest for His people is an ongoing reality that continues up to the point when His final judgment on the wicked is executed. It highlights divine timing and patience before ultimate recompense.

• the pit (שַׁחַת - shachat):

  • Hebrew: Shachat (שַׁחַת), often translated as "pit," "destruction," "corruption," or "the grave/abyss."
  • Significance: A common biblical metaphor for a place of ruin, entrapment, and utter destruction. It often implies a snare or grave, signifying the complete downfall and inescapable end that awaits the wicked. This is sometimes the very pit they dig for others (Ps 7:15).

• be digged (כָּרָה - karah):

  • Hebrew: From the verb karah (כָּרָה), meaning "to dig, to bore, to excavate." The passive voice ("be digged") implies that this action is divinely orchestrated or destined to happen, often a consequence of the wicked's own actions or God's direct judgment.
  • Significance: The imagery suggests a planned or certain act, leading to a profound and inescapable consequence. The "digging" denotes preparation for ultimate ruin.

• for the wicked (לָרָשָׁע - la-rasha'):

  • Hebrew: La (for) + rasha' (רָשָׁע - wicked, unrighteous, guilty).
  • Significance: This term clearly identifies the recipients of judgment—those who are morally corrupt, defiantly godless, and often the perpetrators of the injustice lamented in the psalm. It emphasizes the specific object of God's coming judgment.

• Group analysis: "that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked":

  • This full phrase juxtaposes the blessed state of the righteous with the certain doom of the wicked. The 'rest' for the righteous is active, provided through and in the adversity, not necessarily after its complete cessation. This contrasts sharply with the irreversible "pit" that is being prepared for the wicked, which symbolizes their total ruin and lack of peace. The verse reveals God's dual action: active preservation of His own and the sure preparation of judgment for His enemies, assuring His justice will prevail in due time.

Psalm 94 13 Bonus section

• The "rest" (לְהַשְׁקִט - l'hashkit) described here is a present reality for the disciplined believer, a deep spiritual quietude accessible even during active tribulation, rather than solely a future state of perfect peace. This reflects the promise of Christ to give rest to weary souls (Mt 11:28).
• The passive construction of "be digged" highlights that the wicked's downfall is not coincidental or by human hand alone, but a certain outcome appointed or allowed by God's sovereign will, often resulting from the wicked's own actions turning against them.
• The Psalm directly addresses God's nature as the Judge of all the earth (v. 2) and this verse reaffirms His commitment to bringing all injustice to account, ensuring no wickedness ultimately escapes His judgment.

Psalm 94 13 Commentary

Psalm 94:13 serves as a profound comfort and a cornerstone of hope for the beleaguered righteous. It teaches that divine discipline (from v. 12) is not punitive but redemptive, leading to a unique spiritual "rest" from God Himself. This rest is an internal composure and quietude, enabling the believer to endure "days of adversity"—periods of suffering, oppression, and injustice—with peace, rather than succumbing to despair. This is not the immediate cessation of external troubles, but a settled assurance that stems from knowing God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Crucially, this peace is maintained "until the pit be digged for the wicked." The phrase "until" speaks to God's perfect timing; His judgment, while it may appear delayed from a human perspective, is absolutely certain and is being prepared with unwavering precision. The "pit" vividly symbolizes total and inescapable ruin, often suggesting that the wicked fall into the very snares they set for others (Psalm 7:15). This verse powerfully encapsulates God's ultimate justice: comfort for His chosen, and sure destruction for the ungodly, encouraging patient endurance and unwavering faith in His righteous plan.

• Practical usage: This verse encourages Christians to find peace in God even amidst trials, knowing He is working on their behalf. It reassures those who suffer injustice that their oppressors will face certain judgment, fostering a spirit of patient endurance and trust in divine justice rather than seeking personal vengeance.