KING-Psalm 93. JUDGE-Psalm 94

Video: KING (Psalm 93). JUDGE (Psalm 94). KING (Psalm 93): “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure” (Ps 93:1). JUDGE (Psalm 94: “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” (Ps 94:1-2).

• ** Who is in control of your life and of the turbulent evil world (1 Jn 5:19b)?
• Charles Spurgeon called Psalm 93, “The Psalm of Omnipotent Sovereignty.”

“The Lord reigns” (Ps 93:1). Psalm 93 is the first of a series of psalms (93-99) that affirm God’s rule over the earth and stress His status and authority as King (Ps 96:10; 97:1; 99:1).

Psalm 93 is a short but powerful psalm that focuses on God‘s sovereignty and kingship. It is a hymn of praise that emphasizes God’s reign and majesty (Ps 93:1a), and how the world is firmly established by God’s strength (Ps 93:1b), for God is the creator from all eternity (Ps 93:2). Overall, Psalm 93 serves to instill confidence in God’s rule and power, reassuring believers of His control over all creation (Ps 93:3-4) and circumstances (Ps 93:5).

Psalm 94 is a powerful prayer for divine justice and intervention against oppression. It laments the oppression of the holy community by wicked people (Ps 94:3, 4-5, 6-7, 21), and the need for God to intervene (Ps 94:1-2). The psalmist calls upon God as judge (Ps 94:2), and appeals to God to avenge the people of God against their cruel oppressors (Ps 94:23). Overall, Psalm 94 is a cry for help and justice, expressing both frustration with ongoing wickedness and unwavering faith in God’s ultimate judgment and protection. It offers comfort to those facing oppression while warning evildoers of impending divine retribution.

The 5 books of the Psalms:

• Book I (1-41): Confrontation. [37 by David].
• Book II (42-72/31): Communication. [18 by David]. Some by Asaph, Korah.
• Book III (73-89/17): Catastrophe. [1 by David]. Mostly by Asaph, Korah.
• Book IV (90-106/17): Consecration/Maturation [2 by David]. Mostly anonymous.
• Book V (107-150/44): Consummation. [15]. Liturgical for pilgrimages.

ETERNITY (Psalm 90): “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations” (Ps 90:1).

SAFETY (Psalm 91): “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps 91:1).

RESIDENCE (Psalm 92): “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age…” (Ps 92:12-14a).

KING (Psalm 93). The Lord reigns/Yahweh is king:

1. The Throne (Ps 93:1-2). “The Lord reigns” (Ps 93:1).
2. The Tumult (Ps 93:3-4). “the thunder … the breakers of the sea” (Ps 93:4).
3. The Testimony (Ps 93:5). “Your statutes/testimony stand firm.”

JUDGE (Psalm 94). God is the Judge of the Earth. God Implored to Avenge His People.

1. Punishment (Ps 94:1-3).
2. Brutality (Ps 94:4-7).
3. Stupidity (Ps 94:8-11).
4. Discipline (Ps 94:12-15).
5. Slipping (Ps 94:16-19).
6. Judgment (Ps 94:20-23).

The Blessedness of the Righteous (Ps 94:12-19).

• God‘s discipline is a sign of care, a form of fatherly love that teaches and guides, rather than punishment. God’s chosen people are blessed when they are disciplined and taught God’s law.
• Suffering can lead to spiritual growth by helping you understand God’s ways and grow spiritually.
• God’s people can look forward to restoration, to justice, even if they are oppressed by evil people.
• God will deliver his people, even if they are chastened for a while.

1. God chastens him. “Blessed is the man you discipline…” (Ps 94:12a).
2. God teaches him. “…the one you teach from your law” (Ps 94:12b).
3. God gives him rest. “…you grant them relief from days of trouble” (Ps 94:13).
4. God never forsakes him. “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (Ps 94:14).
5. God judges him righteously. “Judgment will again be founded on righteousness” (Ps 94:15).
6. God helps him against evil doers. “Unless the Lord has given him help..” (Ps 94:16, 17).
7. God upholds him when he is in danger of falling. “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me” (Ps 94:18).
8. God comforts “When anxiety was great within me, your consolationbrought me joy” (Ps 94:19).

How does Psalm 94 point to Christ?

• “Rise up, Judge of the earth” (Ps 94:2).

1. Jesus is the Judge of the earth.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10).

“…the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son” (Jn 5:22).

• “The Lord knows all human plans [thoughts]” (Ps 94:11).

2. Jesus knows man’s thoughts.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?” (Mt 9:4). [Jesus forgives sins of the paralytic]

  Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined..” (Mt 12:25). [Beelzebul]

  But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone” (Lk 6:8).

• “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance” (Ps 94:14).

3. Jesus will never forsake his people.

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (Jn 6:37).

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (Jn 10:28).

• “The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death” (Ps 94:21).

4. Jesus the sinless one was condemned to death by wicked sinners including all of us.

5. Jesus calms the storms of our lives by entering the worst storm of all.