Psalm 92:1-4, 11-14 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 92:1-4, 11-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Verse 2to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
Verse 3to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
Verse 4For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Verse 11My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
Verse 12The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Verse 13They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.
Verse 14In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap,
Devotion
The Hebrews used the name “Most High” (“El Elyon”) to describe their God. Psalm 92 was a song written to celebrate deliverance from personal enemies.
We can learn a great deal from the psalmist’s piety. He declared God’s “steadfast love in the morning” (chesed in Hebrew. “By night” he proclaimed God’s “faithfulness.” Both are descriptive words for God to describe the covenant relationship (Exodus 34:6-7). The Hebrew word translated “faithfulness” is “emunah,” from which we derive the word “Amen,” meaning “truth.” The whole life of the psalmist was an act of worship with gladness.
We also have experienced the covenant of “steadfast love” and “faithfulness.” God’s enemies, also our enemies, have no future. We have seen the blessings of God on the “righteous” who “in old age” still live productive lives to the praise of God. They “flourish like a palm tree,” which stands straight, even when nearly covered with sand in the African deserts. The “righteous” give all glory to the Lord who is their “rock.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, open our senses to appreciate all your mercies. Amen.