They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
They kill widows and foreigners, and murder orphans.
The writer is describing the cruelty of wicked people who harm society's most vulnerable members - those without protection or support.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of the Psalms, Psalm 94 is a lament psalm that calls for God's judgment on the wicked who exploit and oppress the vulnerable in society, likely written during a period of national distress in ancient Israel. Widows, strangers (or foreigners), and orphans were particularly defenseless groups in that culture, as they often lacked legal rights or family support, making them easy targets for injustice. This verse echoes the broader biblical emphasis on God's protection for these marginalized people, as seen in laws like those in Deuteronomy that command care for them.
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