Read
Psalm 94:1
LORD, you God to whom vengeance belongs, you God to whom vengeance belongs, shine out.
Notice
The repeated appeal to the God of vengeance makes this a plea for judgment where the wicked triumph, with urgency in the words “shine out.”
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What comes to mind when you read that vengeance belongs to God?
Write on thisWhere would you ask God to “shine out” as judge amid injustice you see?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Isaiah 35:4Tell those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution. He will come and save you.Both passages name God as the one who brings vengeance; Isaiah also speaks of his coming to save those with fearful hearts.
Nahum 1:2The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his …Both passages repeat that vengeance belongs to the LORD, with Nahum naming his wrath against his adversaries.
Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides, for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.”Both passages assign vengeance to God; Deuteronomy also speaks of the time when recompense comes.
Hebrews 10:30For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”Both passages declare that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and Hebrews joins that declaration to his judgment of his people.
1 Samuel 24:12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.Both are appeals for the LORD to avenge; Samuel’s passage also contains an explicit refusal to take vengeance by one's own hand.
2 Thessalonians 1:8punishing those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,Both texts concern judgment; Thessalonians specifies punishment for those who do not know God or obey the Good News.
Romans 12:19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”Both passages declare that vengeance belongs to God; Romans makes the consequence explicit by forbidding personal revenge.
Deuteronomy 32:41–42if I sharpen my glittering sword, my hand grasps it in judgment; I will take vengeance on my adversaries, and will repay those who hate me.Both passages speak of God's vengeance; Deuteronomy depicts his judgment through a sharpened sword and repayment of his adversaries.
2 Samuel 22:48even the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,Both passages name God as the one who executes vengeance, with Samuel’s passage describing him bringing peoples down.
Psalm 50:2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines out.The plea for God to shine out in Psalm 94 shares its central image with God shining out from Zion in Psalm 50.
Isaiah 59:17He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head. He put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a …Both passages associate vengeance with God; Isaiah pictures vengeance as clothing worn with righteousness, salvation, and zeal.
Jeremiah 50:28Listen to those who flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.Both passages name the LORD's vengeance; Jeremiah describes escapees from Babylon declaring that vengeance in Zion concerning his temple.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
This prayer speaks without softening the demand for judgment. When wrong goes unanswered, the appeal is still to God, the one to whom vengeance belongs.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 94:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 94 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).