Monday, February 25, 2019

Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15


Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15


It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,

and your faithfulness by night,

 3 to the music of the lute and the harp,

to the melody of the lyre.

 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;

at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree,

and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

 13 They are planted in the house of the LORD;

they flourish in the courts of our God.

 14 In old age they still produce fruit;

they are always green and full of sap,

 15 showing that the LORD is upright;

he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.



Psalm 92 is an individual thanksgiving, or possibly a royal thanksgiving. The date is uncertain. The psalm has its origin in a worship setting, probably the occasion of one of the festivals.

Psalm 92: 1-4 are an introduction that reflects the joy of the festival, joy in God sustaining true piety.   It is good to give thanks to the LORD,  to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,  and your faithfulness by night. This connection of love and faithfulness is noteworthy. The faithfulness of the Lord turns in love toward those whom God has made. Here, we find ‘emunah instead of the more common ‘emet.[1] He will offer thanks, praise, and declaration 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.  4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Psalm 92: 12-15 reflect the celebration of the feast urging a sign of new hope and life. The daily renewal of communion with God leads to new life. 12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  13 They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.  14 In old age, they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. I like this image. Faithfulness to the Lord is productive to the end. One can keep on the growing edge throughout life.   15 Showing that the LORD is upright; the Lord is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in the Lord.


[1] Pannenberg, Systematic Theology Volume 1, 436.

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