Psalm 94:3 kjv
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Psalm 94:3 nkjv
LORD, how long will the wicked, How long will the wicked triumph?
Psalm 94:3 niv
How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?
Psalm 94:3 esv
O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?
Psalm 94:3 nlt
How long, O LORD?
How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?
Psalm 94 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hab 1:2 | O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?... | A similar lament of "how long" |
| Ps 13:1 | How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?... | Another "how long" lament of despair |
| Zec 1:12 | Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, "O LORD of hosts, how long?" | Angel questions God's timing for Judah |
| Rev 6:10 | And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, | Saints under altar question divine judgment |
| Job 20:5 | That the triumphing of the wicked is short... | Contrast: wicked's triumph is fleeting |
| Jer 12:1 | Why does the way of the wicked prosper? | Questioning the prosperity of the wicked |
| Ps 73:3 | For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | Personal struggle with wicked's success |
| Ps 73:12 | Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase riches. | Description of wicked's perceived advantage |
| Ps 7:9 | Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end... | A prayer for cessation of wickedness |
| Ps 10:15 | Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man... | Call for God to disable the wicked |
| Ps 37:17 | For the arms of the wicked shall be broken... | Assurance of the wicked's downfall |
| Ps 92:7 | When the wicked spring up like grass... it is that they may be destroyed. | Wicked's flourishing leads to their destruction |
| Pr 2:22 | But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth... | Certainty of judgment against the wicked |
| Mal 4:1 | For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven... for the proud... | Prophecy of final judgment day |
| Rom 12:19 | Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. | God's exclusive right to retribution |
| 2 Thes 1:6-9 | God will repay with tribulation those who trouble you... | Divine justice against persecutors |
| Rev 19:11-16 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse... | Christ's final victorious judgment |
| Luke 18:7-8 | And shall God not avenge His own elect...? | Parable illustrating God's ultimate justice |
| Ps 58:11 | So that men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous..." | Public acknowledgement of divine justice |
| Isa 61:8 | For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering... | God's inherent nature to uphold justice |
| Prov 29:2 | When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. | Shows suffering under wicked rule |
| Ecc 8:11 | Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily... | Explains delay in justice contributing to boldness |
Psalm 94 verses
Psalm 94 3 Meaning
Psalm 94:3 is a passionate cry to God, expressing profound anguish and perplexity over the continued prosperity and audacious celebrations of wicked individuals. It questions the Lord concerning the seemingly unending triumph of those who perpetrate injustice and defy divine law, reflecting a deep longing for God's intervention and vindication of the righteous. It's a lament born out of a stark contrast between divine justice and perceived worldly impunity.
Psalm 94 3 Context
Psalm 94 stands as a passionate communal lament and an earnest appeal to the divine Judge. The psalm opens with a desperate plea for God, the God of vengeance, to arise and assert His justice against the proud and arrogant. Verse 3 encapsulates this fervent desire for intervention by articulating the people's bewilderment and distress at the continued reign of wickedness. It sets the stage for the psalm's subsequent indictment of the wicked (vv. 4-7) who arrogantly dismiss God's presence, followed by a profound theological reflection on God's omniscience and just character (vv. 8-11). Historically, this psalm reflects the widespread suffering of God's people under unjust rule, possibly from oppressive internal leaders within Israel or from powerful foreign invaders who violated divine laws with impunity, feeling no accountability to a higher power. It portrays the struggle of faith when observable reality seems to contradict God's righteous nature.
Psalm 94 3 Word analysis
- LORD (יהוה - YHWH / Yahweh): The divine, covenant name of God. Addressing God as "YHWH" invokes His personal relationship with Israel, His faithfulness, power, and active presence. It’s an appeal to the sovereign Ruler of the universe, who is deeply committed to justice. This specific name suggests a plea not merely to a generic deity, but to the God of covenant who has promised to defend His people.
- How long (עַד־מָתַי - Ad Matay): This is a repeated rhetorical question, an intense interjection found frequently in biblical laments. It conveys impatience, pain, urgency, and a deep longing for relief from suffering. The repetition amplifies the psalmist's agony, bewilderment, and incredulity at the prolonged oppression, stretching the very limits of human endurance and understanding of divine timing. It does not doubt God's power, but His current action.
- Shall the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - R'shaim): The plural form of "rasha'". These are not merely general sinners, but specific individuals characterized by open rebellion against God and deliberate, oppressive injustice towards others. They are typically those in power or positions of influence who exploit and harm the vulnerable. Their actions are marked by guilt and moral culpability, often with a sense of deliberate malice and defiance of divine or human law.
- How long shall the wicked (repeated phrase): The doubling of the phrase "how long shall the wicked" intensely underlines the persistent nature of the problem. It emphasizes that the suffering isn't just ongoing but seems to multiply or have multiple facets, constantly presented by these oppressors. This repetition reflects a psychological state of deep weariness and an escalating crisis of faith for those who suffer.
- Triumph (יַעֲלֹצוּ - Ya'alozu): From the root "alaz" (עָלַז), meaning to exult, rejoice, shout for joy, or be jubilant. Here, it signifies the open celebration, arrogance, and apparent success of the wicked in their evil endeavors. It’s not just their existence or power, but their public display of victory and impunity, their delight in wrongdoing that causes profound distress to the righteous. This triumph is an offense against justice and a taunt against God Himself.
Psalm 94 3 Bonus section
- The Problem of Theodicy: This verse squarely addresses the challenge of theodicy, questioning why an omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good God permits suffering and evil to persist, especially when it involves the seeming triumph of the wicked over the righteous.
- Faith in Protest: The very act of questioning "how long" is an expression of deep faith, as it acknowledges God's authority and ability to intervene. It’s a bold yet trusting protest, holding God accountable to His own righteous character and covenant promises.
- Divine Restraint and Patience: The psalmist's cry inadvertently highlights God's attribute of patience (longsuffering) – His willingness to endure human wickedness for a time, perhaps allowing space for repentance, even for the wicked. However, this patience has limits and will ultimately give way to judgment.
- Anticipation of Justice: The urgency of the "how long" implies a fundamental conviction that the wicked should not triumph and will not triumph indefinitely. It expresses a hopeful expectation of the final vindication of the righteous and the meting out of justice by God.
- The Nature of True Victory: For the wicked, triumph is worldly, fleeting, and founded on injustice. For the righteous, even in suffering, true victory lies in their enduring faith and eventual vindication by God, culminating in His eternal kingdom.
Psalm 94 3 Commentary
Psalm 94:3 is a poignant cry from a community steeped in suffering, encapsulating the age-old theological problem of evil and delayed justice. The double utterance of "How long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?" powerfully articulates a depth of anguish and desperate yearning for divine intervention. It's not a question rooted in doubt of God's existence or power, but rather a faith-filled protest directed to the very heart of the God who is believed to be righteous and just. The psalmist is bewildered by the continued ascendancy of those who revel in their injustice, brazenly celebrating their ill-gotten gains and oppressive deeds. This verse captures the collective sigh of the oppressed who witness wrongdoers not only escaping punishment but thriving and publicly displaying their power. It implicitly challenges the perceived silence or slowness of divine judgment, pleading for the Almighty to arise and set things right. This cry affirms a belief in God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice, anticipating the day when the triumph of the wicked will assuredly cease, and righteousness will prevail. Practically, this verse offers solace and voice to believers experiencing similar societal injustices, reminding them that crying out to God in honest lament is an act of persistent faith, recognizing Him as the ultimate Judge and deliverer.