“For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 94:14 Mean?
The psalmist declares a double negative: the LORD will not cast off His people. Neither will He forsake His inheritance. Two promises. Both negative. Both permanent. God won't reject. God won't abandon. The people who belong to Him will remain with Him.
The word "cast off" (natash) means to reject, to throw away, to abandon as worthless. God won't do that to His people. No matter what. The word "forsake" (azab) means to leave, to desert, to walk away. God won't do that either. The permanence of the relationship is guaranteed by two divine refusals.
"His people" and "his inheritance" are parallel: the people ARE the inheritance. God's most valued possession — the thing He claims, the treasure He holds, the inheritance He keeps — is His people. And He will neither throw them away nor walk away from them.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does the double negative (won't cast off AND won't forsake) address both your fear of active rejection and passive abandonment?
- 2.How does knowing you are God's 'inheritance' (His treasure, His valued possession) change your sense of security?
- 3.Where has the fear of being 'cast off' by God affected your confidence — and does this verse speak to that?
- 4.Can you receive 'won't forsake' as permanent — not just for today but for always?
Devotional
God will not cast off His people. God will not forsake His inheritance. Two refusals. Both permanent.
The simplest and most secure promise in the Psalms: God won't reject you. God won't abandon you. Two verbs of departure — cast off (throw away) and forsake (walk away) — and God refuses both. The relationship is defined by two divine no's: no, I won't throw you away. No, I won't leave you.
"His people" — the relationship is possessive. You belong to Him. The not-casting-off isn't about random individuals. It's about a people He claimed. A nation He chose. A community He bound Himself to. The possession precedes the promise: because you're His, He won't let you go.
"His inheritance" — the parallel is stunning. God's inheritance isn't heaven (He already has that). God's inheritance is you. His people are the treasure He keeps, the possession He values, the thing He refuses to lose. When the psalmist says God won't forsake His inheritance, he's saying: God won't forsake what He treasures most. And what He treasures most is His people.
The double negative creates maximum security: won't cast off (won't actively reject) AND won't forsake (won't passively abandon). Both doors are locked. The active dismissal and the passive departure are both refused. You can't be thrown out AND you can't be left behind.
If you've ever feared rejection by God — that your failures have finally exhausted His patience, that your persistent weakness has worn out His commitment — this verse is the answer. Two negatives. Both permanent. Won't cast off. Won't forsake. The God who claimed you as His inheritance isn't letting go.
Not won't for now. Won't. Period.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For the Lord will not cast off his people,.... The people whom he has foreknown, his chosen people, whether among Jews…
For the Lord will not cast off his people ... - He will interpose in their behalf though the wicked seem now to triumph.…
The psalmist, having denounced tribulation to those that trouble God's people, here assures those that are troubled of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture