Psalm 94 - Nothing Hidden - Aneel Aranha
The LORD is a God who avenges.
O God who avenges, shine forth.
Rise up, Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
How long, LORD, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
They crush your people, LORD;
they oppress your inheritance.
They slay the widow and the foreigner;
they murder the fatherless.
They say, “The LORD does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
The LORD knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.
Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD,
the one you teach from your law;
you grant them relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
For the LORD will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping, ”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them.
In a theme that should now be familiar to us, the psalmist reflects on the arrogance and wickedness of oppressors and evildoers. They may think they can escape the knowledge and judgment of God, but the psalmist assures us that God sees all and will bring about justice. He puts it beautifully in verses 8-11, saying:
Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
The LORD knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.
These verses remind us that no one can outwit or deceive God. The schemes and devices of the wicked may seem powerful and threatening, but they are ultimately empty and futile in the face of God's wisdom and justice. The psalmist declares that God knows the thoughts and intentions of the wicked, and they will face the consequences of their actions.
In the New Testament, we see this theme echoed in various passages. Jesus often warned about the consequences of wickedness and the importance of righteousness. At one point, he assured his listeners that nothing was hidden that would not be made known (Matthew 10:26).
The book of Revelation also speaks of the final judgment when all secrets will be revealed, and every person will give an account before God. It says, "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."
As we sing this psalm, let us learn to trust in God's wisdom and justice. We may not always understand why the wicked seem to prosper or why injustice prevails, but we can find comfort in knowing that God sees all and knows all. He will bring about justice in his perfect time.
God bless you.
