PSALM 92: A SONG FOR THE SABBATH

 

This psalm is entitled “A Song For The Sabbath”, which indicates it was used for worship. The theme is the exaltation of God and the contrast of fates between those who worship God and those who do not.

Praise To God

92:1-5

The psalmist begins by saying it is good to give thanks to God and to sing his praises. It is a gift and a blessing to be adopted into God’s family. He blesses us continually.

However, even non-believers receive blessings. Jesus said God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) This is called common grace, the blessing of all people with good things, not limited to believers. Psalm 145:9 says “The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all the he has made”. 

Since we all receive blessings, we should all thank God for them. But, some do not. Romans 1:21 says: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their whining and their foolish hearts were darkened”. 

So, we as believers, as God’s children, should certainly feel the need to thank him. 

In addition to thanksgiving, it is good for us to praise God. Praising his name is just a way of stating praise to God. The psalmist referred to God here as the Most High, the one who is exalted above all others and is worthy of praise. (Psalm 145:3 NIV)

We can praise God for who he is and what he does\has done. He is YHWH (LORD), the covenant\promise keeping God and Most High, the most exalted one. He is also one whose thoughts are deep or profound, beyond our comprehension. (5)

What he has done is summarized here as his work. (4) Some of the things he has done include creation of all things, providing salvation, providing for our physical needs, and protecting us. This things bring us gladness and joy, so we sing about them and him.

The Wicked Are Temporary & Doomed

92:6-7

Despite God’s greatness, some people do not understand him.  The psalmist refers to the as stupid or foolish (ESV). They are the ones about whom Paul says their thinking if futile and their hearts are foolish and darkened. (Romans 1:21-2) 

These people are wicked and evil. They flourish for a time, but are doomed to eternal destruction. (7) 

God Is Eternal

92:8

In contrast to the wicked who are transitory, God is eternal. He reigns eternally.

There is an interesting facet to the structure of this psalm. Verse 8 is the exact center of it. There are 52 words before it and 52 words after it. The psalm has a “chiastic” structure. [more?] The center verse between the two chiastic sections is the main point: God is eternally exalted. 

The Wicked Doomed

92:9-11

While God raises up his children, he brings about the doom of his, and our, enemies. He will scatter his enemies and they will perish. We will see their downfall, either in this life or at the judgment. “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet”. (1 Corinthians 15:24-25)

The Righteous Flourish & Praise

92:12-15

In contrast to the wicked, who are like a fragile grass (7), the righteous flourish like the palm and cedar trees. They dwell in God’s house, nourished and protected by him. Even to old age, they have life and energy to praise God, who is righteous.