Bible Strands
Psalms 94:21
They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God while describing a corrupt judicial system that conspires to destroy the innocent. This occurs in a lament contrasting human injustice with divine protection.
The words — יָגוֹדּוּ (Ya.go.du) translates literally as "they band together," and יַרְשִׁיעוּ (yar.Shi.'u) means "they condemn as guilty."
The thread — This theme of false judicial conspiracy appears in Proverbs 17:15, which calls condemning the righteous detestable, and Matthew 27:1, which records chief priests and elders conspiring against Jesus. It also echoes the prohibition in Exodus 23:7 against killing the innocent or just.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human courts may pervert justice, but readers must anchor their trust in God as the only reliable refuge. It calls for vigilance against corrupt authority while maintaining reliance on divine justice.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.
- Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- Exodus 23:7 Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.
- Psalms 59:3 See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
- Revelation 17:6 I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
- 1 Kings 21:19 Tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Have you not murdered a man and seized his land?’ Then tell him that this is also what the LORD says: ‘In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, there also the dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’”
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Psalms 22:16 For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
- Proverbs 1:11 If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,
- Ezekiel 22:12 In you they take bribes to shed blood. You engage in usury, take excess interest, and extort your neighbors. But Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.