Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

PSALMS 94:16KJV
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Psalms 94:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 94:16 mean?

Psalms 94:16 gives voice to someone seeking an ally against people who do wrong. The speaker asks who will come forward to help and take a stand on their behalf, making the need for protection and support personal.

The two questions picture a defender rising and standing beside the person under threat. After verse 15 speaks of judgment returning to what is right, the speaker asks who will act against those doing wrong.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 94:16

  • “rise up” — קוּם (qum): This word can mean to get up or arise. Here it pictures someone moving into action on the speaker’s behalf.
  • “stand up” — יָצַב (yatsav): This word can carry the sense of taking a position or standing firm. Here it adds the picture of someone ready to face opposition.

Why Psalms 94:16 matters

  • The question becomes personal through the words “for me.” Earlier in the psalm, the speaker describes people who crush others and harm the vulnerable (verses 5–6); here the speaker asks for help in the first person.

  • The questions lead into an answer about the speaker’s experience. Verse 17 says that the speaker would have died without the Lord’s help, showing where the speaker found the support sought in verse 16.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H3320 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
  • Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

“workers” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  • Psalms 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

“iniquity” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

“evildoers” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 2 Kings 21:11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;