Click here to read PSALM 92 in poetic form
Background
Psalm 92 is the third in the Numbers Book of the Psalms, which goes to Psalm 106. God’s rest is a major theme of these 17 Psalms, and this specific Psalm shows God’s rest in the Sabbath. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law and is the true Sabbath for God’s people.
This Psalm includes the title “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.” The word “sabbath” means completion or rest. It was in the wilderness, as recorded in Numbers 15:32-41, that Moses upheld the Sabbath as holy day, and reminded the people to keep God’s commandments.
Structure
(Verses 1-5) Praise for God’s works in bringing the Messiah victory
(Verses 6-9) Works of the wicked and their just reward
(Verses 10,11) Messiah’s victory over the wicked
(Verses 12-15) The righteous Messiah shows that God is upright
Key Scriptures
Verse 2—”To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.” This shows the two extremes of the day to indicate constant thankfulness for God’s grace. Today, we can thank the Father for His Son with spiritual songs and thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Verse 12—”The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.” Palm trees are mentioned 31 times in the King James Version of the Bible. They were used as a key decorative element in building the temple. In the Biblical culture (among desert dwellers where an oasis of palm trees can mean life or death) they represent blessing, prosperity, peace, and rest. There are many types of palms that produce fruit, and they are an integral part of Eastern life. Palms belong to the botanical class called endogens. These plants increase in size by internal growth and elongation at the summit. The “wood” portion is in bundles or threads. Thus, they are endogens, because the bundles were developed only about the center of the stem. These plants can grab water deep from their roots even in the dry desert, and so the righteous will “flourish” and be well-watered spiritually by the Lord.
Verse 12—”he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” Cedars and Lebanon are mentioned together 21 times in the King James Version of the Bible. They were used in building the temple, and are noted for their strength, height, sap, and that the Lord planted them, according to Psalm 104:16. To this day, cedars are located in the Kadisha Valley of Lebanon. For centuries, they grew across Mount Lebanon. They are known for their long, straight structure (used as ship masts, according to Ezekiel 27:5), and also for their pleasing aroma. Cedars belong to the botanical class called exogens, or “outside growers.” They have wood bark, and pith. The “wood” forms a layer between the other two, and adds a new layer to the outside next to the bark. Thus, the “rings” of many trees in this class. These plants are rooted in the mountain rocks and can grab water from the snows and rainstorms there.
Verse 15—”To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” God is the Rock and foundation, the source of all good. Jesus Christ is the stone that has become the head of the corner, the foundation for salvation, the direct means to the Father (see Psalms 18:2; 62:7; I Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 28:16; I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6,7).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
