Psalms – Chapter 93

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely." — so begins Psalms 93. Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and justice and care for the poor. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely.

2Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.

3How long shall sinners, O Lord: how long shall sinners glory?

4Shall they utter, and speak iniquity: shall all speak who work injustice?

5Thy people, O Lord, they have brought low: and they have afflicted thy inheritance.

6They have slain the widow and the stranger: and they have murdered the fatherless.

7And they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand.

8Understand, ye senseless among the people: and, you fools, be wise at last.

9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider?

10He that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke: he that teacheth man knowledge?

11The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain.

12Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord: and shalt teach him out of thy law.

13That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days: till a pit be dug for the wicked.

14For the Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his own inheritance.

15Until justice be turned into judgment: and they that are near it are all the upright in heart.

16Who shall rise up for me against the evildoers? or who shall stand with me against the workers of iniquity?

17Unless the Lord had been my helper, my soul had almost dwelt in hell.

18If I said: My foot is moved: thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.

19According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul.

20Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, who framest labour in commandment?

21They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood.

22But the Lord is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope.

23And he will render them their iniquity : and in their malice he will destroy them: the Lord our God will destroy them.

Important Verses in Psalms 93

The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely.

Psalms 93:1

And they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand.

Psalms 93:7

If I said: My foot is moved: thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.

Psalms 93:18

But the Lord is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope.

Psalms 93:22

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 93 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Jacob appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely." It concludes: "And he will render them their iniquity : and in their malice he will destroy them: the Lord our God will destroy them. " In terms of historical background, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 756). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize sin and divine judgment as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 93 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Let Psalms Chapter 93 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 93 about?

Psalms 93 contains 23 verses. It opens with "The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely." and closes with "And he will render them their iniquity : and in their malice he will destroy them: the Lord our God will destroy them. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 93?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 93?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

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