Psalm 92 – a song for the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is a day when our thoughts are lifted from all earthly things to God Himself. This Sabbath psalm begins with a simple yet profound statement; it is a ‘good thing to give thanks’ to Yahweh, the covenant God and redeemer of Israel and the Maker of heaven and earth. How much of our church worship is devoted to giving thanks?

The first 4 verses contain 4 examples of parallelism. The second phrase repeating the essential idea of the first. Therefore, to ‘sing praises’ to God’s ‘name’ is very much like giving ‘thanks to the Lord.’ Music & singing is a valid and wonderful expression of gratitude to God. Proclaiming God’s ‘lovingkindness’ (v2) and ‘faithfulness’ is another inexhaustible way to give thanks to the Lord.

The psalmist saw many times that ‘the wicked’ seemed to prosper. They grew quickly ‘like grass’ (v7) and seemed to ‘flourish.’ Yet he also knew that their temporary prosperity was only the prelude to their destruction. ‘Destroyed forevermore’ (NASB) certainly doesn’t conjure up the idea of eternal torment for the enemies of God. As in John 3:16, V9 uses the word perish (destroyed forever) for all ‘who do iniquity.’

Victory (v11) is assured for the people of God (c.f. Rom8:37), but sometimes it is only understood by faith and not seen with the natural eye. Our assurance is by faith; humble confidence in the promises of God that will see the ultimate victory over everything that opposes God and His truth.
The wicked have their season of flourishing (v7), but the righteous shall flourish like the ever-green ‘palm tree’ (v12). The ‘wicked’ should understand that this world provides the best they will ever experience and the righteous should know that this world provides the worst they will experience.

The image of a ‘palm tree’ standing erect amid the dearth of the desert, is a vivid picture of the righteous independent of outward circumstances, ‘still bearing fruit in old age’(v14.) The proven experience of the psalmist is his conclusion. He knew from both understanding and life experience that God could be trusted and did all things in righteousness.