The previous psalm declared that “the LORD reigns” (93:1). Psalm 94 now deals with one aspect of His work as King, which is to render righteous judgment. In the ancient world the offices of king and judge were often one. So this psalm opens with a call for God to arise in judgment against the “proud” who crush or oppress God’s people. Some readers may have a problem with the psalmist twice addressing the LORD as “God of vengeance,” but it helps to distinguish between vengeance and revenge. Revenge is an act of passion in which one responds to personal injury. Vengeance is a matter of justice and is a function of legitimate judicial authority. Vengeance is proper to God for He is the righteous Judge of all the earth. Those who have suffered terrible wrongs and long for the triumph of righteousness will not take offence at the petition for arrogant people to be punished for their crimes against the weak (v 1-2). Specifically, it is the widow, sojourner, and fatherless who are the objects of the oppression which disturbs the psalmist. In each case, these were people who had no means of self-defense. So they were easy prey for the wicked, who abused their power, arrogantly believing the LORD did not see what they were doing. It’s not wrong to have great wealth, as Abraham and Job show, but those who use the power of their money to enhance their lives at the expense of others will face the judgment of God. These people stole and got away with it, then concluded that God had not observed them (v 3-7). But the psalmist calls them “fools.” For God is omniscient, knowing the thoughts of everyone. Anyone who thinks that he or she is getting away with something just because judgment is not immediate is simply being foolish. The LORD not only sees and knows all things, He also knows that our thoughts are “but a breath”—that is, they are empty and worthless (v 8-11). People have many ungodly opinions and wicked schemes, but it’s all an exercise in futility. Compared to the most clever person, God’s thoughts are much higher (Isa 55:8-9) and deeper (Ps 92:5). In fact, Paul cites Psalm 94:11 to conclude that “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Cor. 3:19-20). Charles Spurgeon noted how the rabbis said that the three best safeguards against falling into sin are to remember: (1) that there is an ear that hears everything, (2) that there is an eye that sees everything, and (3) that there is a hand that writes everything into the Book of Knowledge which shall be opened at the judgment. For further meditation: