Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 92

Tyndale House Publishers

Psalms 92:1-15

This psalm begins with thanksgiving and praise. The Lord, the Most High, is fair and just in judging the godly and the wicked. The godly will have a bright and strong future, while the wicked will die.

Wise people see and understand the Lord's actions, which show his justice (Psalm 92:6–7, 11, 15). The wicked, like grass, are quickly destroyed (Psalm 92:7–10).

Psalms 92:1-3

The psalmist offers praise and thanksgiving for God’s loving devotion and faithfulness.

Psalms 92:1

In Jewish tradition, each day of the week has an assigned psalm:

Sunday (Psalm 24)
Monday (Psalm 48)
Tuesday (Psalm 82)
Wednesday (Psalm 94)
Thursday (Psalm 81)
Friday (Psalm 93)
Saturday, which is the Sabbath (Psalm 92)

This is the only psalm that indicates this use in its title.

Psalms 92:4-5

The Lord acts and the psalmist responds in praise (Psalm 92:4). God’s actions come from his thoughts (Psalm 92:5).

Psalms 92:4-7

Fools perish because they do not understand the Lord’s great works and his eternal plans.

Psalms 92:5-6

The Lord’s thoughts confuse those who lack understanding or act foolishly, and those who do not seek wisdom (Proverbs 1:22; 10:23).

Psalms 92:7

Even when the ungodly appear to thrive (Psalm 73:3–5), they have no future (92:9; see 1:6; 90:5–6; Isaiah 40:6–8).

Psalms 92:8-10

The glory of the Lord is the reason the poet receives new strength and honor. It is also the reason the enemy will soon be defeated.

Psalms 92:8

The Lord is above the world of human experience. From this exalted place, he rules and judges (Psalm 7:7). From there, he:

celebrates his victories (Psalm 68:18; see 47),
comes to rescue the needy (Psalm 102:19),
brings an end to the wicked (Psalm 92:7–8), and
receives praise (Psalm 148:1).

Psalms 92:10

like that of a wild ox: The Lord allows the psalmist to express his joy (Psalm 92:8). Because of this, the psalmist is strong and will overcome his enemies.

Psalms 92:11-15

The psalmist understands the Lord’s mighty acts. He shares in the glory of the wise of heart.

Psalms 92:12

Carvings of palm trees (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35; 7:36) decorated the temple. Builders used many cedars (1 Kings 5:6). The trees represent the godly, who are planted in the very courts of the temple.

Psalms 92:13

The temple area consisted of the Lord’s own house and the courts that surrounded it.

Psalms 92:15

in Him there is no unrighteousness: The Lord is always just. He rightly judges everyone (see Zephaniah 3:5).