Psalms 94:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 94:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.
Psalms 94:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 94

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4They prate, they speak arrogantly: All the workers of iniquity boast themselves.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“How long shall they utter and speak hard things?, etc.] Against Christ, his person and offices, his ministers, his people, his truths and ordinances; this is very applicable to antichrist, who has a mouth speaking blasphemies, and which he opens, and with it blasphemes God, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in it, (<661305>Revelation 13:5,6). The Targum is, “will they utter and speak reproachful words?” contumelies or calumnies; and such are uttered by the antichristian party against the true professors of religion in great abundance, as water out of a fountain, as the first word f1341 used signifies; (see <650115>Jude 1:15), and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves; the just…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“How long shall they utter and speak hard things? - The word rendered utter means to pour forth - as water from a fountain; to pour forth copiously. The meaning is, that they seemed to be full, and that they poured forth evil words as a fountain pours forth water. The phrase “hard things” means proud, unfeeling, insolent things; things which are unjust, unkind, severe, harsh. And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? - Boast of their power and their success. How long shall they be permitted to have such success as may seem to justify them in their exultation? return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“Utter - Or pour forth freely, constantly, abundantly, as a fountain doth waters (so this Hebrew word signifies.) Hard things - Insolent, and intolerable words against thee and thy people. Psalms 94:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall: Psa 31:18, Psa 59:7, Psa 59:12, Psa 64:3, Psa 64:4, Psa 73:8, Psa 73:9, Psa 140:3; Pro 30:14; Jer 18:18; Mat 12:24, Mat 12:34; Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15 boast: Psa 10:2-7, Psa 52:1; Exo 15:9, Exo 15:10; Job 21:14, Job 21:15; Isa 10:13-15, Isa 37:24, Isa 37:25; Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:25, Dan 8:11, Dan 11:36, Dan 11:37; Rev 13:5, Rev 13:6 Psalms 94:5”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The second strophe describes those over whom the first prays that the judgment of God may come. הבּיע (cf. הטּיף) is a tropical phrase used of that kind of speech that results from strong inward impulse and flows forth in rich abundance. The poet himself explains how it is here (cf. Psa 59:8) intended: they speak עתק, that which is unrestrained, unbridled, insolent (vid., Psa 31:19). The Hithpa. התאמּר Schultens interprets ut Emiri (Arab. 'mı̂r, a commander) se gerunt; but אמיר signifies in Hebrew the top of a tree (vid., on Isa 17:9); and from the primary signification to tower aloft, whence too אמר, to speak, prop. effere = effari, התאמּר, like התימּר in Isa 61:6, directly signifies to…”
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Sources and verification