THE LORD HAS BECOME MY FORTRESS

Psalm 94:1-23 / Keywords 94:22

But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

94:1 The Lord is a God who avenges.

    O God who avenges, shine forth.

2 Rise up, Judge of the earth;

    pay back to the proud what they deserve.

3 How long, Lord, will the wicked,

    how long will the wicked be jubilant?

4 They pour out arrogant words;

    all the evildoers are full of boasting.

5 They crush your people, Lord;

    they oppress your inheritance.

6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;

    they murder the fatherless.

7 They say, “The Lord does not see;

    the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;

    you fools, when will you become wise?

9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?

    Does he who formed the eye not see?

10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?

    Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?

11 The Lord knows all human plans;

    he knows that they are futile.

12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,

    the one you teach from your law;

13 you grant them relief from days of trouble,

    till a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the Lord will not reject his people;

    he will never forsake his inheritance.

15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,

    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?

    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

17 Unless the Lord had given me help,

    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”

    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me,

    your consolation brought me joy.

20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—

    a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?

21 The wicked band together against the righteous

    and condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the Lord has become my fortress,

    and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

23 He will repay them for their sins

    and destroy them for their wickedness;

    the Lord our God will destroy them.

1. The LORD is the Judge of all the earth. When the Psalmist looked around, he saw that the wicked and the proud appeared to prosper at the hands of God’s people. They crushed those the LORD claimed as his inheritance. They cared nothing for the weak and acted as if the LORD was blind to their evil deeds. But God made us. He sees and hears. He is the Judge who disciplines in his right time. The plans of all who oppose him are futile.

 

2. The blessed person receives the word of God and is disciplined by it. The LORD is faithful and just; he will take a stand on behalf of his people. His unfailing love is all we need to thrive as his children. Though corruption and wickedness may threaten, the LORD is a rock and fortress for all who take shelter in him. Our righteous Judge is our salvation.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to depend on your righteous judgment in this sinful world and take refuge in your word and your unfailing love.

One Word Take refuge in God