The Righteous Flourish – Psalm 92

This is a psalm of pure praise.  No lament over difficult circumstances.  Only confident and musical praise for the God who does great works.  It does not live in denial that the unrighteous at times flourish, but it is not caught in the stupidity that translates that into the arrogant belief that unrighteousness will not be judged.

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.  For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

How great are your works, O LORD!  Your thoughts are very deep!  The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:  that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever.  For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil.  My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.  They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.  (Psalm 92 ESV)

As we gather together to worship we exult in the mighty works of God, knowing that though the wicked may flourish for a time they will ultimately be destroyed in God’s judgment and the righteous will flourish like the long-living, fruit-bearing olive tree or the mighty cedar of Lebanon.  Our place of strength will be exalted.  Our faith will be vindicated as we see God’s blessing poured over us like anointing oil.  Our Rock and Righteous One will prove upright and reward our faith.