The cry of the oppressed Church and her Head for the day of vengeance

To swim against the current or the ebb of the tide is always hard. Similarly, to live and believe contrary to the popular trend, or oppose the evil and wickedness that prevails will be a constant difficulty.

The psalmist, notwithstanding the ungodly climate of his day was enabled to overcome, and calls upon the Lord in the day of trouble. As for the wicked, they give no thought to God; indeed their pride will not recognise that He beholds their evil activities. Whereas, the One who created them knows their every thought, and beholds their treatment of His inheritance.

God will arise and avenge the tyranny perpetrated against His people. Unless the Lord had held up and helped the psalmist, he would have slipped. But this national affliction was the means of sending him to God. At such times, we are to take ourselves to God, who will be our defence, our Rock and refuge.

Psalm 94

   1  O Lord God, unto whom alone
         all vengeance doth belong;
      O mighty God, who vengeance own'st,
         shine forth, avenging wrong.

   2  Lift up thyself, thou of the earth
         the sov'reign Judge that art;
      And unto those that are so proud
         a due reward impart.

   3  How long, O mighty God, shall they
         who lewd and wicked be,
      How long shall they who wicked are
         thus triumph haughtily?

   4  How long shall things most hard by them
         be uttered and told?
      And all that work iniquity
         to boast themselves be bold?

   5  Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord,
         thine heritage oppress:
   6  The widow they and stranger slay,
         and kill the fatherless.

   7  Yet say they, God it shall not see,
         nor God of Jacob know.
   8  Ye brutish people! understand;
         fools! when wise will ye grow?

   9  The Lord did plant the ear of man,
         and hear then shall not he?
      He only formed the eye, and then
         shall he not clearly see?

  10  He that the nations doth correct,
         shall he not chastise you?
      He knowledge unto man doth teach,
         and shall himself not know?

  11  Man's thoughts to be but vanity
         the Lord doth well discern.
  12  Blessed is the man thou chast'nest, Lord,
         and mak'st thy law to learn:

  13  That thou may'st give him rest from days
         of sad adversity,
      Until the pit be digged for those
         that work iniquity.

  14  For sure the Lord will not cast off
         those that his people be,
      Neither his own inheritance
         quit and forsake will he:

  15  But judgment unto righteousness
         shall yet return again;
      And all shall follow after it
         that are right-hearted men.

  16  Who will rise up for me against
         those that do wickedly?
      Who will stand up for me 'gainst those
         that work iniquity?

  17  Unless the Lord had been my help
         when I was sore oppressed,
      Almost my soul had in the house
         of silence been at rest.

  18  When I had uttered this word,
         (my foot doth slip away,)
      Thy mercy held me up, O Lord,
         thy goodness did me stay.

  19  Amidst the multitude of thoughts
         which in my heart do fight,
      My soul, lest it be overcharged,
         thy comforts do delight.

  20  Shall of iniquity the throne
         have fellowship with thee,
      Which mischief, cunningly contrived,
         doth by a law decree?

  21  Against the righteous souls they join,
         they guiltless blood condemn.
  22  But of my refuge God's the rock,
         and my defense from them.

  23  On them their own iniquity
         the Lord shall bring and lay,
      And cut them off in their own sin;
         our Lord God shall them slay.


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