King James Version

What Does Psalms 94:23 Mean?

Psalms 94:23 in the King James Version says “And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God s... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 94 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.

Psalms 94:23 · KJV


Context

21

They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

22

But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

23

And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity (וַיָּשֶׁב עֲלֵיהֶם אֶת־אוֹנָם, vayyashev aleihem et-onam)—Shub means return, bring back; aven means iniquity, trouble, wickedness. And shall cut them off in their own wickedness (וּבְרָעָתָם יַצְמִיתֵם, u-ve-ra'atam yatzmitem)—Ra'ah means evil, wickedness; tzamit means cut off, destroy, silence. Yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off (יַצְמִיתֵם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, yatzmitem YHWH Eloheinu).

Divine justice operates by poetic reversal: the wicked fall into traps they set for others. Haman hanged on his own gallows (Esther 7:10), Pharaoh drowned in his own sea (Exodus 14:28), conspirators fell into Daniel's lions' den (Daniel 6:24). The repetition "shall cut them off... shall cut them off" emphasizes certainty. God's justice isn't arbitrary but fitted to the crime—they receive what they intended for others.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's history, enemies who schemed against God's people faced reversal: Sennacherib's army destroyed (2 Kings 19:35), Babylon conquered by Persia (Daniel 5), Rome ultimately Christianized. Church history repeatedly demonstrates this pattern of reversal.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you seen the principle of "reaping what you sow" play out in specific situations?
  2. Why is it important that God's judgment fits the crime rather than being arbitrary punishment?
  3. How does certainty of eventual justice help you endure present injustice patiently?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וַיָּ֤שֶׁב1 of 9

And he shall bring

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עֲלֵיהֶ֨ם׀2 of 9
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶת3 of 9
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אוֹנָ֗ם4 of 9

upon them their own iniquity

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

וּבְרָעָתָ֥ם5 of 9

in their own wickedness

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

יַ֝צְמִיתֵ֗ם6 of 9

and shall cut them off

H6789

to extirpate (literally or figuratively)

יַ֝צְמִיתֵ֗ם7 of 9

and shall cut them off

H6789

to extirpate (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֥ה8 of 9

yea the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃9 of 9

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 94:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 94:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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