Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 92

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Psalms 92:1

To sing praises. Praise is especially appropriate on the Sabbath day (see Ed 251). Name. See on Ps. 5:11; 7:17. Most High. Heb. ‘Elyon (see Vol. I, p. 173).

Ellen G. White

As the palm tree, drawing nourishment from fountains of living water, is green and flourishing in the midst of the desert, so the Christian may draw rich supplies of grace from the fountain of God’s love, and may guide weary souls, that are full of unrest and ready to perish in the desert of sin, to those waters of which they may drink, and live. The Christian is ever pointing his fellow-men to Jesus, who invites, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” This fountain never fails us; we may draw, and draw again (The Signs of the Times, October 26, 1904, reprinted from The Signs of the Times, June 26, 1884).

If the Christian thrives and progresses at all, he must do so amid strangers to God, amid scoffing, subject to ridicule. He must stand upright like the palm tree in the desert. The sky may be as brass, the desert sand may beat about the palm tree’s roots, and pile itself in heaps about its trunk. Yet the tree lives as an evergreen, fresh and vigorous amid the burning desert sands. Remove the sand till you reach the rootlets of the palm tree, and you discover the secret of its life; it strikes down deep beneath the surface, to the secret waters hidden in the earth. Christians indeed may be fitly represented by the palm tree. They are like Enoch; although surrounded by corrupting influences, their faith takes hold of the Unseen. They walk with God, deriving strength and grace from Him to withstand the moral pollution surrounding them. Like Daniel in the courts of Babylon, they stand pure and uncontaminated; their life is hid with Christ in God. They are virtuous in spirit amid depravity; they are true and loyal, fervent and zealous, while surrounded by infidels, hypocritical professors, godless and worldly men. Their faith and life are hid with Christ in God. Jesus is in them a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Faith, like the rootlets of the palm tree, penetrates beneath the things which are seen, drawing spiritual nourishment from the Fountain of life (The Signs of the Times, July 8, 1886).

Psalms 92:2

In the morning. See on Ps. 5:3; cf. Lam. 3:23; SC 74, 75. Every night. Literally, “in the nights” (see on Ps. 4:4; cf. Ps. 16:7). The Mosaic law provided for worship morning and evening by the establishment of the morning and evening sacrifice (see Ex. 29:38, 39).

Psalms 92:3

Upon an instrument. See on Ps. 33:2; cf. Ps. 57:8. The verse suggests the use of the psalm in public worship. Instruments were probably not generally used in private devotions.

Psalms 92:4

Through thy work. Either the work of creation, celebrated by the Sabbath institution (see DA 282), or God’s works in general, or some particular demonstration of God’s power. I will triumph. Or, “I will cry for joy.”

Psalms 92:5

Thy works. See on Ps. 40:5. Thoughts. God’s purposes, His designs, as revealed in creation and in His continual providences, are beyond the comprehension of man (see Isa. 55:8, 9; Rom. 11:33, 34; cf. 1 Cor. 2:9).

Psalms 92:6

A brutish man. Men, rude, uncultivated, stupid, dull of perception, cannot understand.

Psalms 92:7

As the grass. The problem that disturbed Job (Job 21:7–21) and that appears so often in the Psalms (see Ps. 73:2–15) does not disturb the author of this psalm. It is stated and immediately solved in the realization that the destruction of the wicked follows their triumph (see Ps. 73:18–20). Destruction is the natural and inevitable result of wickedness.

Psalms 92:8

Art most high. God, unaffected by the prosperity or downfall of the wicked, remains enthroned on high (see Ed 173; MH 417).

Psalms 92:9

Shall perish. The repetition of the phrase “for, lo, thine enemies” lends emphasis to the idea that, since God must be exalted, the wicked must perish. Workers of iniquity. See v. 7.

Psalms 92:10

Horn. A symbol of strength (see Deut. 33:17). The psalmist had such confidence in his friendship with God that he trusted God to lift him up. Unicorn. A wild ox (see on Job. 39:9). Fresh oil. Not oil that is old and rancid (see Ps. 23:5).

Psalms 92:12

Shall flourish. See Ps. 1:3; Ps. 52:8; Hosea 14:5, 6; MH 286. Like the palm tree. The palm was celebrated for its ability to remain green through winter and summer alike (see S. of Sol. 7:8; Jer. 10:5). Note the contrast with vs. 7, 9, 11. Like a cedar. See Ps. 29:5; 104:16, 17; see 5T 514, 515.

Ellen G. White

12. A “Palm-tree” Christian—The palm tree well represents the life of a Christian. It stands upright amid the burning desert sand, and dies not; for it draws its sustenance from the springs of life beneath the surface (The Review and Herald, September 1, 1885).

The Christian a Palm in the Desert—[Psalm 92:12 quoted.] See the weary traveler toiling over the hot sands of the desert, with no shelter to protect him from the rays of a tropical sun. His water supply fails, and he has nothing to slake his burning thirst. His tongue becomes swollen; he staggers like a drunken man. Visions of home and friends pass before his mind, as he believes himself ready to perish in the terrible desert. Suddenly those in advance send forth a shout of joy. In the distance, looming up out of the dreary, sandy waste, is a palm tree, green and flourishing. Hope quickens his pulses. That which gives vigor and freshness to the palm tree will cool the fevered pulses, and give life to those who are perishing with thirst.

Psalms 92:13

Ellen G. White

13-16. See EGW on Psalm 71:9, 17, 19.

Psalms 92:14

In old age. The righteous will continue to be productive and glorify God by their good works. Old age may be the most fruitful part of a man’s life. The years of retirement may be the most productive. Fat and flourishing. They will be healthy and vigorous. The metaphor begun in v. 12 is sustained.

Psalms 92:15

To shew. The fact that the old age of the righteous is happy and productive proves the faithfulness of God, and shows that He keeps His promises. No unrighteousness. The last two clauses of the verse probably depend upon the first clause of the verse, “to shew that the Lord is upright.”