The Meaning of Psalms 94:2 Explained

Psalms 94:2

KJV: Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

YLT: Be lifted up, O Judge of the earth, Send back a recompence on the proud.

Darby: Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth, render the reward to the proud.

ASV: Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: Render to the proud their desert.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Lift up  thyself, thou judge  of the earth:  render  a reward  to the proud. 

What does Psalms 94:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 94:1-5 - The Lord Who Ruleth Over All
Psalms 93:1-5; Psalms 94:1-5
It is thought that these two psalms date from the Assyrian invasion in Hezekiah's time, and that the psalmist compares the strength of Sennacherib and his hosts to the mighty breakers of the sea. But they well befit all times of anxiety and opposition. It is interesting to remember, also, that these and the six psalms which follow have always been applied by the Jews to the days of the Messiah. Surely, then, we may apply them to our own time.
It is an infinite comfort to know that above and beyond all that distresses and hinders the Church or our individual lives, there exists the great fact of our Lord's sovereignty. This encourages us in conflict and makes us steadfast and unmovable. We can almost hear the dash of successive breakers with foam and fury around the throne of God, which, however, stands without a tremor. The miracle of Jesus in quieting the storm has a symbolic and far-reaching meaning. He is in our hearts, in the world, and in His Church, as it is tossed on the surface of the storm-swept water-"and Jesus rules the waves." He must vindicate the law of righteousness and save His people. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 94

1  The prophet, calling for justice, complains of tyranny and impiety
8  He teaches God's providence
12  He shows the blessedness of affliction
16  God is the defender of the afflicted

What do the individual words in Psalms 94:2 mean?

Rise up Judge of the earth Render punishment to the proud
הִ֭נָּשֵׂא שֹׁפֵ֣ט הָאָ֑רֶץ הָשֵׁ֥ב גְּ֝מ֗וּל עַל־ גֵּאִֽים

הִ֭נָּשֵׂא  Rise  up 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
שֹׁפֵ֣ט  Judge 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
הָאָ֑רֶץ  of  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
הָשֵׁ֥ב  Render 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
גְּ֝מ֗וּל  punishment 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גְּמוּל  
Sense: dealing, recompense, benefit.
גֵּאִֽים  the  proud 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: גֵּאֶה  
Sense: proud.