Psalms 94:12

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 94:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jehovah, And teachest out of thy law;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jehovah, And teachest out of thy law;
Psalms 94:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 94

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jehovah, And teachest out of thy law;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, etc.] Much more happy now, and hereafter, than the proud insulting persecutor of him; he is chastened of the Lord, that he might not be condemned with the world; he is chastened not in wrath, but in love; not with the chastisement of a cruel one, nor indeed of a magistrate nor a master; but of a tenderhearted father, who always does it for his profit and advantage, and therefore is he “blessed”, or happy; for these chastenings are tokens of God’s love, evidences of sonship, or of a man’s being an adopted child of God; are for, and do work for good, either temporal, spiritual, or eternal, and even in every sense; and, besides, the Lord grants…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord - “Happy the man;” or “Oh the blessedness of the man.” See the notes at Psalms 1:1. The word here rendered “chastenest” does not mean to chasten in the sense of afflicting or punishing. It means here to instruct; to warn; to admonish; to exhort. So the word is employed in Proverbs 9:7; Job 4:3; Psalms 16:7. The meaning here is, that the man is blessed or happy whom God so “instructs, warns, or teaches,” that he understands the principles of the divine administration. Such a man will see reasons for confidence in him in trouble, and for calmness of mind until punishment is brought upon his enemies. And teachest him out of thy law - Causest him,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blessed - Those afflictions which are accompanied with Divine instructions are great and true blessings. Psalms 94:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“94:12-15 True to his nature, the Lord rewards those who live by his wise instruction and makes them happy according to his promises.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Blessed: Psa 119:67, Psa 119:71; Job 5:17; Pro 3:11; Co1 11:32; Heb 12:5-11 teachest: Job 33:16-25; Mic 6:9; Rev 3:19 Psalms 94:13”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The fourth strophe praises the pious sufferer, whose good cause God will at length aid in obtaining its right. The "blessed" reminds one of Psa 34:9; Psa 40:5, and more especially of Job 5:17, cf. Pro 3:11. Here what are meant are sufferings like those bewailed in Psa 94:5., which are however, after all, the well-meant dispensations of God. Concerning the aim and fruit of purifying and testing afflictions God teaches the sufferer out of His Law (cf. e.g., Deu 8:5.), in order to procure him rest, viz., inward rest (cf. Jer 49:23 with Isa 30:15), i.e., not to suffer him to be disheartened and tempted by days of wickedness, i.e., wicked, calamitous days (Ew. 287, b), until (and it will…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification