Psalm 94:20

Translations

Modern

Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree?

Traditional

Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Literal

Can the throne of iniquity join with You—one shaping mischief by statute?

Latin

Numquid adhæret tibi sedes iniquitatis, qui fingis laborem in præcepto?

Original

Hebrew

English

Can a corrupt throne be Your ally—one devising mischief by decree?

Notes

Psalms 94:16–23

The psalmist resumes their prayer (see Psalm 94:1–7) with a desperate plea for the Lord's justice. It ends with the hope that evil will cease.

Psalms 94:1–23

This plea for the Lord’s justice includes both communal and individual expressions of sorrow (Psalm 94:1–7, 16–23). The psalmist speaks about the pain and suffering caused by the wicked. He also describes the comfort and stability of the Lord’s protection. He calls on the Lord to avenge the needy against the arrogant and foolish, he rebukes such people for their foolishness (Psalm 94:8–11), and speaks a blessing on the wise (94:12–15).

Psalms 93:1–100:5

These psalms challenge the doubts created by the exile (see Psalm 89) and answer the questions asked in Psalm 90:11, 13. The Lord has established a kingdom (Psalm 93) that is characterized by:

punishment of the wicked (Psalm 94),
respectful obedience among his people (Psalm 95),
justice for the poor (Psalm 96),
celebration in Zion (Psalm 97),
salvation for Israel (Psalm 98),
holiness (Psalm 99), and
praise (Psalm 100).

Theme notes and profiles

David Questions and Doubt Social Justice The Creator-King Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Isaiah 10:1
Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees,
Psalm 58:2
No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
Ecclesiastes 3:16
Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
John 11:57
But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.
Revelation 13:15–17
The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
Micah 6:16
You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”
Esther 3:6–12
And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.
Daniel 3:4–7
Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded:
Psalm 50:16
To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
Amos 6:3
You dismiss the day of calamity and bring near a reign of violence.
Daniel 6:7–9
All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.

Glossary

David Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of Throne

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Rulers: Wicked

Psalm 94:20

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Glossary?

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