The Meaning of Psalms 94:3 Explained

Psalms 94:3

KJV: LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?

YLT: Till when do the wicked, O Jehovah? Till when do the wicked exult?

Darby: How long shall the wicked, O Jehovah, how long shall the wicked triumph?

ASV: Jehovah, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

LORD,  how long shall the wicked,  how long shall the wicked  triumph? 

What does Psalms 94:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 94:1-5 - The Lord Who Ruleth Over All
Psalms 93:1-5; Psalms 94:1-5
It is thought that these two psalms date from the Assyrian invasion in Hezekiah's time, and that the psalmist compares the strength of Sennacherib and his hosts to the mighty breakers of the sea. But they well befit all times of anxiety and opposition. It is interesting to remember, also, that these and the six psalms which follow have always been applied by the Jews to the days of the Messiah. Surely, then, we may apply them to our own time.
It is an infinite comfort to know that above and beyond all that distresses and hinders the Church or our individual lives, there exists the great fact of our Lord's sovereignty. This encourages us in conflict and makes us steadfast and unmovable. We can almost hear the dash of successive breakers with foam and fury around the throne of God, which, however, stands without a tremor. The miracle of Jesus in quieting the storm has a symbolic and far-reaching meaning. He is in our hearts, in the world, and in His Church, as it is tossed on the surface of the storm-swept water-"and Jesus rules the waves." He must vindicate the law of righteousness and save His people. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 94

1  The prophet, calling for justice, complains of tyranny and impiety
8  He teaches God's providence
12  He shows the blessedness of affliction
16  God is the defender of the afflicted

What do the individual words in Psalms 94:3 mean?

How long will the wicked Yahweh how long how long the wicked will triumph
עַד־ מָתַ֖י רְשָׁעִ֥ים ׀ יְהוָ֑ה עַד־ מָ֝תַ֗י רְשָׁעִ֥ים ؟ יַעֲלֹֽזוּ

עַד־  How 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
מָתַ֖י  long 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: מָתַי  
Sense: when?.
רְשָׁעִ֥ים ׀  will  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
יְהוָ֑ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
עַד־  how  long 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַד  
Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
מָ֝תַ֗י  how  long 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: מָתַי  
Sense: when?.
רְשָׁעִ֥ים  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
؟ יַעֲלֹֽזוּ  will  triumph 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: עָלַז  
Sense: (Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph.