Psalms 94:3 — Word Study
WLCעַד־ מָתַ֖י רְשָׁעִ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה עַד־ מָ֝תַ֗י רְשָׁעִ֥ים יַעֲלֹֽזוּ׃
BSAHow longʻad [till when, for how much longer] ◂will the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, sinful people] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the great God] how longʻad [when, for how much longer] ◂will the wickedrâshâʻ [those who are guilty of crime or sin] exultʻâlaz▸ [jump for joy, rejoice triumphantly, celebrate in triumph]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַד־ | until | Preposition |
| מָתַ֖י | when? | Particle |
| רְשָׁעִ֥ים׀ | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יְהוָ֑ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| עַד־ | until | Preposition |
| מָ֝תַ֗י | when? | Particle |
| רְשָׁעִ֥ים | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יַעֲלֹֽזוּ׃ | will they exult | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? |
| KJV | LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? |
| ASV | Jehovah, 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? |
| WEB | Yahweh, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? |
| BBE | How long will sinners, O Lord, how long will sinners have joy over us? |
The translations agree on the key terms, maintaining the essence of the original Hebrew.
The structure emphasizes the urgency of the psalmist's plea through repetition.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
subjectרָשָׁע
verbעָלַז
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 94:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Lament Over the Wickedgenerated
Psalm 94:3 expresses the psalmist's frustration with the wicked who seem to thrive without consequence. The surrounding verses highlight a plea for justice, asking the LORD to rise up against those who oppress His people. This lament reflects a common theme in the psalms, where the faithful cry out for God's intervention in the face of injustice.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 43:2 | For You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression? |
| 2 | Psalm 73:8 | They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. |
| 3 | Psalm 74:9–10 | There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last. |
| 4 | Psalm 79:5 | How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? |
| 5 | Psalm 80:4 | O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רָשָׁע, re.sha.'Imgenerated
The noun רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to individuals who are wicked or guilty of wrongdoing. It encompasses a range of moral failures, including sin against God and harm to others. The parsing as a masculine plural noun indicates that the psalmist is addressing a group of people, emphasizing the collective nature of their wickedness.
This term is often used in the Hebrew Bible to depict those who oppose God's ways and righteousness. The psalmist's use of this word sets a tone of urgency and distress, as he questions how long these wicked individuals will continue to prosper.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is structured around two main clauses, both beginning with the subject רְשָׁעִ֥ים (wicked). The first clause asks how long the wicked will continue, while the second clause repeats the inquiry, emphasizing the psalmist's desperation.
The repetition of the phrase עַד־ מָתַ֖י (how long) underscores the urgency of the psalmist's plea, creating a rhythmic and poetic quality typical of Hebrew poetry.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, רָשָׁע is rendered as ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi), which means 'sinners' and broadens the scope of the term to include all who transgress moral law.
The translation of יַעֲלֹֽזוּ as καυξήσονται (kauxēsontai) suggests a strong emphasis on the act of exulting or boasting, indicating a triumphant attitude among the wicked.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 94:3 shows the psalmist asking the LORD how long the wicked will continue to celebrate their wrongdoing. This verse is part of a larger lament where the psalmist expresses distress over the actions of those who oppress God's people, calling for divine justice.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The wicked refers to those who act immorally and oppose God's ways, causing harm to others.
The repetition emphasizes the urgency and frustration of the psalmist, highlighting a deep longing for justice.
By addressing the LORD, the psalmist acknowledges God's authority and power to intervene in the situation.
This verse reflects the theme of seeking justice and deliverance from oppression, common in the psalms.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen injustice in my own life or community, and how can I respond to it?
- How do I understand the concept of wickedness in today's context?
- What does it mean to me to cry out to God for justice?
- How can I support those who are oppressed or wronged in my community?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of wickedness and the need for divine justice.
We have discussed the prayer of holy Job; now let us approach that prayer that we have found in the psalms. David spoke out in many passages in regard to worldly vanity;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
"Lord, how long shall the ungodly, how long shall the ungodly triumph?" [Psalms 94:3].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 94:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLord, how long shall the wicked,.... The reign of antichrist is thought long by the saints, being the space of forty two months, or 1260 days or years and this tries the faith and patience of the
Read John Gill on Psalms 94 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? Lord, how long shall the wicked ... triumph?
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 94 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 94:3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?Ver. 3. Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long?] Bis, quia de die in diem gloriantur, saith Aben Ezra. Twice he saith it, because the wicked boast day after day, with such insolence and outrage, as if they were above control.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 94 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. How long shall the wicked triumph?] The wicked are often in prosperity; and this only shows us of how little worth riches are in the sight of God, when he bestows them on the most contemptible of mortals. But their time and prosperity have their bounds.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 94 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3–7. How long will Jehovah tolerate the tyrannies of these proud blasphemers?
Read Cambridge on Psalms 94 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLord, how long shall the wicked ... - As if there were to be no end to their exaltation; their joy; their success. How long would God allow this? How long would he sit by and see it done?
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 94 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. How long—Twice uttered for emphasis, implying that the delays of justice are mysterious.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 94 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult?
Yahweh, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?
How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult?
O Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked celebrate?
Tyndale line
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Jehovah, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph?
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Lord how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Strictly literal
How long shall the wicked, O Jehovah, how long shall the wicked triumph?
Till when [do] the wicked, O Jehovah? Till when do the wicked exult?
Until when do the wicked, O YHWH—Until when do the wicked exult?
How long shall the wicked, O Lord—how long shall the wicked exult?
How long will the wicked, Yahweh, how long will the wicked rejoice?
From the Latin
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Simplified
How long, Lord? How long will the wicked celebrate in triumph?
How long will sinners, O Lord, how long will sinners have joy over us?
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 94:3 reads, "עַד־ מָתַ֖י רְשָׁעִ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה עַד־ מָ֝תַ֗י רְשָׁעִ֥ים יַעֲלֹֽזוּ׃" The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all eight words, though its word order and articles differ due to its own grammatical structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q84) also align with the Masoretic Text, preserving the key phrases, but include some words that are partly restored and supplied by an editor, indicating minor textual variations. Overall, the primary witnesses show a strong agreement in the core content of this verse.
עַד־ מָתַ֖י רְשָׁעִ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה עַד־ מָ֝תַ֗י רְשָׁעִ֥ים יַעֲלֹֽזוּ׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[עד] [מתי] רשעים יהוה [עד] [מתי] רשעים יעלזו
2 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 94:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
prep.
of space
Of time
Of degree
conj.
until
While
Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
of space
Of time
Of degree
base
H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
. conj. . until
. While
. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
5704 `ad ad
properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or
conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,
or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,
while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,
at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),
(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,
till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.
see HEBREW for 05703
עַד (ad) — till.
prep
1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as
1a) of space
1a1) as far as, up to, even to
1b) in combination
1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)
1c) of time
1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end
1d) of degree
1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like
conj
2) until, while, to the point that, so that even
Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Prep — PrepositionHR
מָתַי (mathay) is an adverb meaning 'when?' It is derived from an unused root that suggests extension, particularly in relation to time. The word is used interrogatively to ask about timeframes, such as 'how long?' or 'until when?'. It appears in contexts that require a temporal inquiry.
מָתַי 43 interrog.adv. when?
base
H4970 מָתַי when?
4970 mathay maw-thah'ee
from an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent (of
time); but used only adverbially (especially with other
particle prefixes), when (either relative or
interrogative):--long, when.
מָתַי (ma.tay) — how.
1) when?
1a) with prep
1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
HTi — ParticleHTi
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while
prep.
of space
Of time
Of degree
conj.
until
While
Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus
of space
Of time
Of degree
base
H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
. conj. . until
. While
. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)
. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space
. Of time
. Of degree
5704 `ad ad
properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or
conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,
or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,
while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,
at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),
(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,
till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.
see HEBREW for 05703
עַד (ad) — till.
prep
1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as
1a) of space
1a1) as far as, up to, even to
1b) in combination
1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)
1c) of time
1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end
1d) of degree
1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like
conj
2) until, while, to the point that, so that even
Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Prep — PrepositionHR
מָתַי (mathay) is an adverb meaning 'when?' It is derived from an unused root that suggests extension, particularly in relation to time. The word is used interrogatively to ask about timeframes, such as 'how long?' or 'until when?'. It appears in contexts that require a temporal inquiry.
מָתַי 43 interrog.adv. when?
base
H4970 מָתַי when?
4970 mathay maw-thah'ee
from an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent (of
time); but used only adverbially (especially with other
particle prefixes), when (either relative or
interrogative):--long, when.
מָתַי (ma.tay) — how.
1) when?
1a) with prep
1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
HTi — ParticleHTi
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
עָלַז (alaz) is a primitive root meaning to exult or rejoice. It conveys a sense of jumping for joy and encompasses feelings of triumph and joyfulness. The entries consistently emphasize its use in expressing exuberant joy.
[עָלַז] vb. exult
base
H5937 [עָלַז] exult
5937 `alaz aw-laz'
a primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. exult:--be joyful,
rejoice, triumph.
עָלַז (a.laz) — to exult.
(Qal) to exult, rejoice, triumph
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp