Psalms 92:12
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The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
It is a groundless opinion of some of the Jewish writers (who are usually free of their conjectures) that this psalm was penned and sung by Adam in innocency, on the first sabbath. It is inconsistent with the psalm itself, which speaks of the workers of iniquity, when as yet sin had not entered. It is probable that it was penned by David, and, being calculated for the sabbath day, I. Praise, the business of the sabbath, is here recommended (Psa 92:1-3). II. God's works, which gave occasion for the sabbath, are here celebrated as great and unsearchable in general (Psa 92:4-6). In particular, with reference to the works both of providence and redemption, the psalmist sings unto God both of mercy and judgment, the ruin of sinners and the joy of saints, three times counterchanged. 1. The wicked shall perish (Psa 92:7), but God is eternal (Psa 92:8). 2. God's enemies shall be cut off, but David shall be exalted (Psa 92:9, Psa 92:10). 3. David's enemies shall be confounded (Psa 92:11), but all the righteous shall be fruitful and flourishing (Psa 92:12-15). In singing this psalm we must take pleasure in giving to God the glory due to his name, and triumph in his works. A psalm or song for the sabbath day.
Open source ↗92:12 Carvings of palm trees (1 Kgs 6:29, 32, 35; 7:36) adorned the Temple, and builders made rich use of cedars (1 Kgs 5:6). The trees represent the godly, who are planted in the very courts of the Temple.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.
The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever.
They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorite before them, though his height was like that of the cedars, and he was as strong as the oaks. Yet I destroyed his fruit above and his roots below.
No longer will they build houses for others to inhabit, nor plant for others to eat. For as is the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands.
May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more.
Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; they will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”
Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.