O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
This is one of a group of psalms after David connected with the Jewish captives in Babylon, giving voice to their sorrow and desolation, their longing, and their prayers for deliverance. It declares that vengeance belongs to God. It calls upon him to show himself and act, teaching those who are wronged to entrust their case to him rather than take revenge themselves, trusting him to judge in their favor.
It gives the oppressed poor a cry to God against the rich oppressor whose heart has grown hard and cold like flinty stone in selfish pursuit of wealth. That oppressor has long oppressed and humbled the poor, grudged his scanty hire, and crushed him with violence and wrong. Such an oppressor has reason to fear lest the sufferer lift his tearful eye in that cry. The God invoked is the mighty one who directs the starry hosts above and in kind compassion smiles upon his poor with tenderest love, so that man made in his image must not refuse aid to his fellow creature.
It assures sorrowing mothers stung by filial ingratitude and neglect that God remembers them and in the day of his power is mighty to avenge their wrongs.
This is one of a group of psalms after David connected with the Jewish captives in Babylon, giving voice to their sorrow and desolation, their longing, and their prayers for deliverance.
It declares that vengeance belongs to God.
It calls upon him to show himself and act, teaching those who are wronged to entrust their case to him rather than take revenge themselves, trusting him to judge in their favor.
It gives the oppressed poor a cry to God against the rich oppressor whose heart has grown hard and cold like flinty stone in selfish pursuit of wealth.
That oppressor has long oppressed and humbled the poor, grudged his scanty hire, and crushed him with violence and wrong.
Such an oppressor has reason to fear lest the sufferer lift his tearful eye in that cry.
The God invoked is the mighty one who directs the starry hosts above and in kind compassion smiles upon his poor with tenderest love, so that man made in his image must not refuse aid to his fellow creature.
It assures sorrowing mothers stung by filial ingratitude and neglect that God remembers them and in the day of his power is mighty to avenge their wrongs.