God will some day stop arrogant words and repay the wicked for their injustice.
They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; All who do wickedness vaunt themselves. (Ps. 94:4) In this verse, the psalmist laments the blatant pride of the wicked, whose arrogant speech offends God and oppresses those around them. Their words are not merely self-exalting but also a means to belittle or exploit others, defying God’s command to love one another. Scripture elsewhere demonstrates that arrogance and pride are invariably tied to destructive outcomes (“God is opposed to the proud,”James 4:6) and that the LORD “loathe[s] the arrogance” of those who oppress and exploit (Amos 6:8).
By pointing out that the wicked “speak arrogantly” and “vaunt themselves,” the psalmist underscores that their hearts have turned away from God’s ways of humility and neighborly care. The book of Proverbs similarly urges God’s people to reject “pride and arrogance” because they are incompatible with wisdom (Proverbs 8:13). Similarly, another passage reminds us that “the world system feeds on pride and arrogance,” and that those who trust God willingly forsake such pride for a posture of humility (Psalm 16:9 commentary).
Psalm 94 as a whole reflects a cry for divine justice, calling on the LORD to notice the proud boasts of the wicked and to act on behalf of the righteous. This verse contributes to the psalm’s larger theme by highlighting the verbal onslaught of the wicked, who use words to promote themselves and oppress others. Scripture consistently teaches that God will respond in His time, thereby vindicating His servants and humbling those intent on exalting themselves (Luke 14:11).
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Psalms 94:4 meaning
They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; All who do wickedness vaunt themselves. (Ps. 94:4) In this verse, the psalmist laments the blatant pride of the wicked, whose arrogant speech offends God and oppresses those around them. Their words are not merely self-exalting but also a means to belittle or exploit others, defying God’s command to love one another. Scripture elsewhere demonstrates that arrogance and pride are invariably tied to destructive outcomes (“God is opposed to the proud,” James 4:6) and that the LORD “loathe[s] the arrogance” of those who oppress and exploit (Amos 6:8).
By pointing out that the wicked “speak arrogantly” and “vaunt themselves,” the psalmist underscores that their hearts have turned away from God’s ways of humility and neighborly care. The book of Proverbs similarly urges God’s people to reject “pride and arrogance” because they are incompatible with wisdom (Proverbs 8:13). Similarly, another passage reminds us that “the world system feeds on pride and arrogance,” and that those who trust God willingly forsake such pride for a posture of humility (Psalm 16:9 commentary).
Psalm 94 as a whole reflects a cry for divine justice, calling on the LORD to notice the proud boasts of the wicked and to act on behalf of the righteous. This verse contributes to the psalm’s larger theme by highlighting the verbal onslaught of the wicked, who use words to promote themselves and oppress others. Scripture consistently teaches that God will respond in His time, thereby vindicating His servants and humbling those intent on exalting themselves (Luke 14:11).