Psalms 92
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This and the six following Psalms were applied by the Jews to the times of the Messiah. The theme is God's supremacy in creation and providence. (Psa 93:1-5) God is described as a King entering on His reign, and, for robes of royalty, investing Himself with the glorious attributes of His nature. The result of His thus reigning is the durability of the world.
Open source ↗It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,.... For all mercies, temporal and spiritual; for Christ, and salvation by him; for the Gospel, and for Gospel opportunities and ordinances; for, such days and seasons this psalm was composed for. It is "good" so to do, for it is the will of God that we should in and for every thing give thanks; it is due unto him, and is our reasonable service; it is well pleasing unto God through Christ; it is pleasant work for the saints themselves, and is profitable unto them; to be thankful for what they have is the way to have more. Kimchi connects this with the title; the sabbath day is good to give thanks unto the Lord; it is a very fit opportunity for such service; when a man is at leisure from worldly business, and his heart is engaged in spiritual exercises, and especially when it is warmed with the love of God: and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High; a name and epithet of God, suitable to his majesty and glory, to his supereminence over all his creatures, and the place where he dwells, and to whom the highest praises are due; these two phrases, giving thanks, and singing praise, are much the same; only with this difference, the former may be done in prayer, and without the modulation of the voice, as well as with it; the latter only with it; hence these two are mentioned as distinct things in Eph 5:19. (a) Zohar in Gen. fol. 43. 2. Vajikra Rabba, s. 10. fol. 153. 4. See the Targum in Cant. i. 1.
Open source ↗The Sabbath is the day that God has hallowed, and that is to be consecrated to God by our turning away from the business pursuits of the working days (Isa 58:13.) and applying ourselves to the praise and adoration of God, which is the most proper, blessed Sabbath employment. It is good, i.e., not merely good in the eyes of God, but also good for man, beneficial to the heart, pleasant and blessed. Loving-kindness is designedly connected with the dawn of the morning, for it is morning light itself, which breaks through the night (Psa 30:6; Psa 59:17), and faithfulness with the nights, for in the perils of the loneliness of the night it is the best companion, and nights of affliction are the "foil of its verification." עשׂור beside נבל (נבל) is equivalent to נבל עשׂור in Psa 33:2; Psa 144:9 : the ten-stringed harp or lyre. הגּיון is the music of stringed instruments (vid., on Psa 9:17), and that, since הגה in itself is not a suitable word for the rustling (strepitus) of the strings, the impromptu or phantasia playing (in Amo 6:5, scornfully, פּרט), which suits both Psa 9:17 (where it is appended to the forte of the interlude) and the construction with Beth instrumenti.
Open source ↗This psalm was appointed to be sung, at least it usually was sung, in the house of the sanctuary on the sabbath day, that day of rest, which was an instituted memorial of the work of creation, of God's rest from that work, and the continuance of it in his providence; for the Father worketh hitherto. Note, 1. The sabbath day must be a day, not only of holy rest, but of holy work, and the rest is in order to the work. 2. The proper work of the sabbath is praising God; every sabbath day must be a thanksgiving-day; and the other services of the day must be in order to this, and therefore must by no means thrust this into a corner. One of the Jewish writers refers it to the kingdom of the Messiah, and calls it, A psalm or song for the age to come, which shall be all sabbath. Believers, through Christ, enjoy that sabbatism which remains for the people of God (Heb 4:9), the beginning of the everlasting sabbath. In these verses, I. We are called upon and encouraged to praise God (Psa 92:1-3): It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. Praising God is good work: it is good in itself and good for us. It is our duty, the rent, the tribute, we are to pay to our great Lord; we are unjust if we withhold it. It is our privilege that we are admitted to praise God, and have hope to be accepted in it. It is good, for it is pleasant and profitable, work that is its own wages; it is the work of angels, the work of heaven. It is good to give thanks for the mercies we have received, for that is the way of fetching in further mercy: it is fit to sing to his name who is Most High, exalted above all blessing and praise. Now observe here, 1. How we must praise God. We must do it by showing forth his lovingkindness and his faithfulness. Being convinced of his glorious attributes and perfect…
Open source ↗Ps 92 Thanksgiving and praise open this psalm. The Lord—the Most High—is faithful and just in discerning between the godly and the wicked. The godly will enjoy a glorious, vigorous future, while the wicked will perish. The wise see and understand the Lord’s works as they reveal his justice (92:6-7, 11, 15). The wicked, like grass, are quickly destroyed (92:7-10). 92:title on the Sabbath Day: Jewish tradition assigned one psalm to each day of the week: Sunday (Ps 24), Monday (Ps 48), Tuesday (Ps 82), Wednesday (Ps 94), Thursday (Ps 81), Friday (Ps 93), and the Sabbath (Ps 92). This is the only psalm that indicates this use in its title. 92:1-3 The psalmist offers praise and thanksgiving for God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָמַר (zâmar, H2167) — play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
Open source ↗עָשׂוֹר (ʻâsôwr, H6218) — ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord נֶבֶל (nebel, H5035) — a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape… כִּנּוֹר (kinnôwr, H3658) — a harp הִגָּיוֹן (higgâyôwn, H1902) — a murmuring sound, i.e. a musical notation (probably similar to the modern affettuoso to…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… עָמַק (ʻâmaq, H6009) — to be (causatively, make) deep (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בַּעַר (baʻar, H1198) — properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
Open source ↗רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot) פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol צוּץ (tsûwts, H6692) — to twinkle, i.e. glance; by analogy, to blossom (figuratively, flourish) שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol פָּרַד (pârad, H6504) — to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)
Open source ↗קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) רְאֵם (rᵉʼêm, H7214) — a wild bull (from its conspicuousness) בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder רַעֲנָן (raʻănân, H7488) — verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care שׁוּר (shûwr, H7790) — a foe (as lying in wait) אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… תָּמָר (tâmâr, H8558) — a palm tree שָׂגָה (sâgâh, H7685) — to enlarge (especially upward, also figuratively) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁתַל (shâthal, H8362) — to transplant בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗נוּב (nûwb, H5107) — to germinate, i.e. (figuratively) to (causatively, make) flourish; also (of words), to… שֵׂיבָה (sêybâh, H7872) — old age דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1879) — fat; figuratively, rich, fertile רַעֲנָן (raʻănân, H7488) — verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.
But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
Freely I will sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.
As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.