They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse lists the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless—all vulnerable groups—as victims. This isn't just about violence; it highlights a deeper failure: the total disregard for those whom God specifically commanded His people to protect. It exposes a society that has abandoned its foundational ethics, turning mercy into a target.
They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm opens with a passionate cry to God for justice against the wicked who are actively oppressing God's people. This verse paints a vivid picture of their cruelty, showing how they target the most vulnerable—widows, foreigners, and orphans—those who have no one to defend them. This violent injustice is happening within the community, suggesting the oppressors are people of authority who have twisted the law for their own gain.
Why does the Psalmist specifically mention the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless? These aren't random victims.
This verse highlights a specific kind of cruelty: the targeting of those who have no earthly protection.
The Forgotten and Powerless
When the powerful prey on these groups, it's not just a crime; it's a profound perversion of justice and a deep insult to God, who is presented as their ultimate protector.
This isn't just a description of wicked acts; it's a statement about who God is.
The Psalmist cries out to God using titles that emphasize His role as judge and avenger. The violence described in verse 6 isn't simply a social problem; it's an affront to the very nature of God.
God's Justice and Compassion
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Understand the original words
'almana · Hebrew Noun
A woman whose husband is deceased, frequently identified in the Bible as a vulnerable person under God's special protection and care. Biblical law often mandates social justice and provision for widows.
ger · Hebrew Noun
A foreigner or temporary resident living in a land not their own. In Israel, they were to be treated with justice and hospitality, reflecting God’s own heart for the stranger.
yatom · Hebrew Noun
A child who has lost one or both parents. In Scripture, God presents Himself as the specific defender, father, and provider for the fatherless, demanding that His people care for them.
The psalm's cry against those who 'slay the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless' resonates deeply within the context of the Babylonian exile. This was a time when the social fabric was torn apart, leaving many defenseless and exposed to extreme cruelty, highlighting the particular vulnerability of these groups and the Psalmist's desperate plea for divine justice.
c. 1550 BC - 1070 BC
New Kingdom Egypt
During this prosperous era, Egypt exerted significant influence over Canaan. While not a direct cause, the political and social disruptions from foreign powers could exacerbate existing injustices.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy of Israel
The establishment of a unified kingdom under David and Solomon brought a degree of order, but also centralized power, which could lead to abuses by officials oppressing the vulnerable.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria to Assyria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrian Empire, leading to widespread destruction, exile, and displacement. This upheaval would have intensified the suffering of widows, orphans, and strangers.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and deported many Israelites. This period of intense suffering and injustice for the most vulnerable is a strong backdrop for the psalm's lament.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and issued decrees allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands. This marked the beginning of the return from exile for some Jews.
This passage calls to 'learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause,' directly echoing the victims mentioned in Psalm 94:6 and highlighting God's expectation for justice.
Ezekiel 22:6-7Here, the prophet describes the leaders of Jerusalem as preying on the vulnerable, specifically mentioning the 'sojourner' and 'fatherless,' mirroring the exact cruelties seen in Psalm 94:6 and identifying the perpetrators as those in positions of authority.
Malachi 3:5This verse warns that God will come to judge and 'be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against false swearers, against those who oppress the hired worker by his wages, the widow and the fatherless,' showing that mistreatment of these vulnerable groups is a serious offense in God's eyes.
Luke 18:3-5Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow who seeks justice from an unjust judge. This highlights how widows, often left without protection, had to plead their case, reflecting the desperate situation implied in Psalm 94:6 where such individuals are even murdered.
James 1:27This verse defines 'true religion' as caring for 'the widow and the fatherless in their affliction.' It provides a sharp contrast to the actions described in Psalm 94:6, emphasizing that genuine faith involves protecting the most vulnerable, not harming them.
pulpitPsalms 94:6: "They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless."
Verse 6. - They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless (comp. Isaiah 1:17-23; Isaiah 10:2; Ezekiel 22:6-9; Malachi 3:5; also Psalm 10:8-10).
clarkePsalms 94:6: "They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless."
They slay the widow - Nebuchadnezzar carried on his wars with great cruelty. He carried fire and sword every where; spared neither age, sex, nor condition. The widow, the orphan, and the stranger, persons in the most desolate condition of life, were not distinguished from others by his ruthless sword.
The verse lists the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless—all vulnerable groups—as victims. This isn't just about violence; it highlights a deeper failure: the total disregard for those whom God specifically commanded His people to protect. It exposes a society that has abandoned its foundational ethics, turning mercy into a target.
The psalm opens with a passionate cry to God for justice against the wicked who are actively oppressing God's people. This verse paints a vivid picture of their cruelty, showing how they target the most vulnerable—widows, foreigners, and orphans—those who have no one to defend them. This violent injustice is happening within the community, suggesting the oppressors are people of authority who have twisted the law for their own gain.
The psalm opens with a passionate cry to God for justice against the wicked who are actively oppressing God's people. This verse paints a vivid picture of their cruelty, showing how they target the most vulnerable—widows, foreigners, and orphans—those who have no one to defend them. This violent injustice is happening within the community, suggesting the oppressors are people of authority who have twisted the law for their own gain.
"They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless;" — The verse lists the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless—all vulnerable groups—as victims. This isn't just about violence; it highlights a deeper failure: the total disregard for those whom God sp…
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Last reviewed October 2026