Can anyone Help Understanding a Text in Psalms?!!?!??!?

Question

I am working on a sermon/speech to teenagers on Psalms 92: 12-15 and I cannot find the historical background to this text. I generally struggle trying to find the background to any of the Psalms. But does anyone know who wrote this Psalm. This is one of many Psalms that was attributed to David but was not written by David. Can some one provide a CONTEXT so I can relate the historical background to teenage contemporary struggles. (If anyone can provide any insights, I would appreciate it).

Answer 1

There is no specific historical context or date for this psalm. There are five sections for the Psalms, with section I being Ps 1-41, II being Ps 42-72, III being Ps 73-89, IV being Ps 90-106, and V being Ps 107-150.

So, this passage falls under section IV, and that section is composed of mostly anonymous Psalms, with some attributed to David.

The synopsis I have for chap 92 is as follows -

"A Psalm of descriptive praise (see Ps 113), celebrates the person and work of God in an exuberant way. The psalm also includes several wisdom themes. The title is unusual in that it attaches the designation "for the Sabbath day". The poem has four brief sections: 1. an encouragement for the people to respond to God in praise and worship (V. 1-4) 2. a celebration of the wisdom of God in bringing judgement on the wicked (v 5-9), 3. an acknowledgement of the mercy of God who has established the believer's present life (v. 10, 11) and

(the section to which you refer)

4. and anticipation of the mercy of God that will continue in the life to come (v 12-15)"

The verses you list are commented on thus...

92:11-15...

"Tha language of this section speaks of God's contuinuing blessing on the believer not only in this life but also in the life to come (ps 23) The tree image recalls the words of 1:3."

Answer 2

Psalm 92 is a liturgical anthem celebrating the destruction of evil and the triumph and happiness of God's faithful children. The Psalm was inspired by the poet's communion with the Creator on the Sabbath day and his observation of God's power in nature. Tradition says that it was sung by the Levites in the morning at the time of the drink offering, on the offering of the first lamb (Numbers 28:3-9). It is still chanted in the Sabbath service of the modern synagogue. On the Sabbath it is well that we turn our eyes from the perplexing questions of this world to the eternal world where we shall be above all doubt and perplexity.

Answer 3

I love this. If we are made the Righteousness of God, no matter what happens in our life, we will prosper in our soul and then the rest of our life will follow. A palm tree is not easily broken. It stands in all storms. It falls over and bounces right back up. It is so close to the water that it is constantly drinking. We are to constantly drink from the Word of God. That is the way we are. A storm[problem etc.] doesn't hurt us. If we are planted in God, we walk in Him, we talk in Him and we love in Him, He is our foundation. He is our vine, we are the branch coming out of the vine so everything we need is in Him, the vine. In old age we will still love, be peaceful, not hot tempered,giving and looking thru the eyes of God. He gives us a new heart with new eyes.This is how people see God, thru the Righteous. There is no un-Righteousness with God. The Psalms is a timeless book, applicable to every age.. It is a book of praises. The collection as a whole attests to the yearning of corporate Israel at worship before God. It is the entire history of Israel's response to God as His chosen people.. The psalms display burning heartfelt passion.

Answer 4

Go to http://reluctant-messenger.com, it may have some answers for you. It is grouped with Psalms 90-106, with 90 being attributed to Moses.
This is one of my favorites. A song to be sung on the Sabbath.
This song is a that of GOD's promise for the righteous people to continue to multiply and flourish. Beholding all the goodness of GOD.

Answer 5

It was a Psalm or song for the Sabbeth Day. I have a rainbow study bible, and those passages are Highlighted in Sky blue which according to the rainbow chart, is God Himself speaking.
Or in reference to God.

I dont' know how much help this was for you. God bless you in your youth ministry.

Answer 6

Beloved Commentator Matthew Henry attributes it to David. He has a good commentary on it.

Answer 7

I tried googling that, as many do not know who wrote it, but a "psalmist" but here is a link that might help-

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/bread-from-heaven/psalm-92

Answer 8

I use the e-Sword software available from a link on the Free Stuff page @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/

Barnes commentary - Psalms 92 -
The author of this psalm is not indicated in the title, and it is impossible now to ascertain who he was. Nor can the occasion be determined “when” it was composed. It is of so general a character that it might have been written at any period of the Jewish history; and, so far as the style and the contents are concerned, it may have been written by either of those whose names are attached to the other psalms. That it may have been composed by David, is certainly possible, but of that there is no evidence.
In the title it is called “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath-day;” that is, to be used on the sabbath. The Chaldee Paraphrase has in the title, “Praise and a song which the first man spoke for the sabbath-day.” This may indicate that there was an carly tradition on this subject; but we have no proof of what would be so interesting a fact, that we have a genuine poetic composition of Adam. The contents are all such as might be properly used on the sabbath, though there is nothing in the psalm that has any “special” reference to the sabbath, or that is derived from the appointment of such a day. It is not improbable, however, that special psalms and hymns were composed with a view to be used on festal occasions; and this, as a psalm of praise, is well adapted still to the services of the sabbath.

The psalmist refers:
I. To the blessedness of praise, or to the propriety of celebrating the praise of God, Psa_92:1-4.

II. He refers to the works of God as laying the foundation of praise, Psa_92:5-6.

III. He refers to the justice of God, or the fact that the wicked, however they may seem to be prospered, will be cut off, Psa_92:7-9.

IV. He refers to the prosperity and the security of the righteous; to the influence of religion and the favor of God on life, as making it prosperous and happy, and as preparing people to be useful and cheerful in old age, Psa_92:10-15.

Psa 92:12 -
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree - That is, the beauty, the erectness, the stateliness, the growth of the palm-tree - all this is an emblem of the condition, the prosperity, the happiness of a righteous man. The wicked shall be cut down; but the righteous shall flourish. This image - the comparison of a righteous man to a flourishing, majestic, green, and beautiful tree - is not uncommon in the Scriptures. See the notes at Psa_1:3; compare Jer_17:8. On the “palm-tree,” see the notes at Mat_21:8. “The stem,” says Dr. Thomson (“land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 65)” tall, slender, and erect as Rectitude herself, suggests to the Arab poets many a symbol for their lady-love; and Solomon, long before them, has sung, ‘How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love! for delights; this thy stature is like the palm-tree.” Son_7:6-7. The following remarks of Dr. Thomson (“land and the Book,” vol. i. pp. 65, 66) will illustrate the passage before us; - “The palm grows slowly, but steadily, from century to century, uninfluenced by those alternations of the seasons which affect other trees. It does not rejoice overmuch in winter’s copious rain, nor does it droop under the drought and the burning sun of summer. Neither heavy weights which people place upon its head, nor the importunate urgency of the wind, can sway it aside from perfect uprightness. There it stands, looking calmly down upon the world below, and patiently yielding its large clusters of golden fruit from generation to generation. They ‘bring forth fruit in old age.’ The allusion to being planted in the house of the Lord is probably drawn from the custom of planting beautiful and long-lived trees in the courts of temples and palaces, and in all ‘high places’ used for worship.
This is still common; nearly every palace, and mosque, and convent in the country has such trees in the courts, and, being well protected there, they flourish exceedingly. Solomon covered all the walls of the ‘holy of holies’ round about with palm-trees. They were thus planted, as it were, within the very house of the Lord; and their presence there was not only ornamental, but appropriate and highly suggestive; the very best emblem, not only of patience in well-doing, but of the rewards of the righteous - a fat and flourishing old age - a peaceful end - a glorious immortality.” The following cut will furnish an apt representation of the appearance of the tree, and a proper illustration of the beauty of the passage before us.
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon - On the cedars of Lebanon, see the notes at Isa_2:13. The following remarks by Dr. Thomson (“land and the Book,” vol. i. pp. 292, 295), with the accompanying cut, will show the propriety of the image here. “The platform where the cedars stand is more than six thousand feet above the Mediterranean, and around it are gathered the very tallest and grayest heads of Lebanon. The forest is not large - not more than five hundred trees, great and small, grouped irregularly on the sides of shallow ravines, which mark the birthplace of the Khadisha, or Holy River.
“But, though the space covered by them does not exceed half a dozen acres, yet, when fairly within the grove, and beneath the giant arms of those old patriarchs of a hundred generations, there comes a solemn hush upon the soul as if by enchantment. Precisely the same sort of magic spell settles on the spirits, no matter how often you repeat your visits. But it is most impressive in the night. Let us by all means arrange to sleep there. The universal silence is almost painful. The gray old towers of Lebanon, still as a stone, stand all around, holding up the stars of heaven to look at you, and the trees gather like phantoms about you, and wink knowingly, or seem to, and whisper among themselves you know not what. You become suspicious, nervous, until, broad awake, you find that it is nothing but the flickering of your drowsy fire, and the feeble flutter of bats among the boughs of the trees. A night among the cedars is never forgotten; the impressions, electrotyped, are hid away in the inner chamber of the soul, among her choicest treasures, to be visited a thousand times with never-failing delight.
“There is a singular discrepancy in the statements of travelers with regard to the number of trees. Some mention seven, others thirteen - intending, doubtless, only those whose age and size rendered them Biblical, or at least historical. It is not easy, however, to draw any such line of demarcation. There is a complete gradation from small and comparatively young to the very oldest patriarchs of the forest. I counted four hundred and forty-three, great and small, and this cannot be far from the true number. This, however, is not uniform. Some are struck down by lightning, broken by enormous loads of snow, or torn to fragments by tempests. Even the sacrilegious axe is sometimes lifted against them. But, on the other hand, young trees are constantly springing up from the roots of old ones, and from seeds of ripe cones. I have seen these infant cedars in thousands just springing from the soil; but as the grove is wholly unprotected, and greatly frequented both by human beings and animals, they are quickly destroyed. The fact, however, proves that the number might be increased “ad libitum.” Beyond a doubt, the whole of these upper terraces of Lebanon might again be covered with groves of this noble tree, and furnish timber enough not only for Solomon’s Temple and the house of the forest of Lebanon, but for all the houses along this coast. But, unless a wiser and more provident government controls the country, such a result can never be realized, and, indeed, the whole forest will slowly die out under the dominion of the Arab and Turk. Even in that case the tree will not be lost. It has been propagated by the nut or seed in many parks in Europe, and there are more of them within fifty miles of London than on all Lebanon.
“We have seen larger trees every way, and much taller, on the banks of the Ohio, and the loftiest cedar might take shelter under the lowest branches of California’s vegetable glories. Still, they are respectable trees. The girth of the largest is more than forty-one feet; the height of the highest may be one hundred. These largest, however, part into two or three only a few feet from the ground. Their age is very uncertain, nor are they more ready to reveal it than others who have an uneasy consciousness of length of days. Very different estimates have been made. Some of our missionary band, who have experience in such matters, and confidence in the results, have counted the “growths” (as we Western people call the annual concentric circles) for a few inches into the trunk of the oldest cedar, and from such data carry back its birth three thousand five hundred years. It may be so. They are carved full of names and dates, going back several generations, and the growth “since the earliest date” has been almost nothing. At this rate of increase they must have been growing ever since the Flood. But young trees enlarge far faster, so that my confidence in estimates made from such specimens is but small.” The idea in the passage before us is, that the righteous will flourish like the most luxuriant and majestic trees of the forest; they may be compared with the most grand and beautiful objects in nature.

Psa 92:13 -
Those that be planted in the house of the Lord - As if plants were reared up in the house of God. The same image, under the idea of the olive tree, occurs in Psa_52:8. See the notes at that verse. The passage here may refer particularly to those who have been trained up in connection with the church; young plants set out in the sanctuary, and cultivated until they have reached their growth.
Shall flourish in the courts of our God - That is, Having been planted there, they will grow there; they will send out their boughs there; they will produce fruit there. The “courts” of the house of God were properly the areas or open spaces around the tabernacle or the temple (see the notes at Mat_21:12); but the word came also to denote the tabernacle or the temple itself, or to designate a place where God was worshipped. It has this meaning here. The passage affords an encouragement to parents to train up their children in attendance on the ordinances of public worship; and it shows the advantage of having been born in the church, and of having been trained up in it - an advantage which no one can fully appreciate. The passage may also be regarded as furnishing a proof of what will be the result of being thus “planted” and nurtured in connection with the church, inasmuch as trees carefully planted and cultivated are expected to produce more and better fruit than those which grow wild.

Psa 92:14 -
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age - As a tree that is carefully planted and cultivated may be expected to live long, and to bear fruit even when it is old. It is true that such a tree may be cut down; or that it may be blown down by winds and tempests; or that it may be unproductive, but as a general rule, and as laying the foundation of a reasonable hope, such a tree may be expected to live long, and to produce fruit even when it is old. So of one devoted early to God, and trained up under the influences of religion. The care, the culture, the habits of temperance, of industry, of moderation, and of sobriety so formed, are favorable to length of days, and lay the foundation for usefulness when old age comes. An aged man should be useful. He should feel that whatever wisdom he may possess as the result of long study and experience, belongs to God and to truth; that one great reason for sparing him is that he may be useful; that the world needs the benefit of his counsel and his prayers; that his life is lengthened out not for his own ease or enjoyment, but that virtue and piety may be extended in the world by all the influence which he can bring to bear upon it in advanced years. It may be added that, as a matter of fact, those who are thus trained and are thus preserved, are useful in old age. No one thus spared need be useless; perhaps almost none are. There is something appropriate for old men to do, as there is for the young and the middle-aged; and it should be the object of an aged Christian to find out what that is, and to do it. The word rendered “old age means literally grey or hoary hair.”
They shall be fat - The meaning is, that they shall be vigorous, or have the appearance of vigor and health.
And flourishing - Margin, as in Hebrew, “green.” This image is taken from a tree, as if it were still green in old age, or gave no indications of decay.

Psa 92:15 -
To shew that the Lord is upright - That is, This will be a proof that God is faithful to his promises; that he is the true friend of his people. The fact that they live long - that they are happy and useful even in old age, will be a demonstration that God is the friend of virtue, and that he deals with people according to their character.
He is my rock - He is my defense; that which constitutes my security. See the notes at Psa_18:2. This is language of strong confidence in view of all that is said in the psalm.
And there is no unrighteousness in him - This is said in the most absolute form - implying the most entire confidence. God is altogether to be trusted. There is no evil or wrong in his character or in his dealings. In all respects he is worthy of confidence: “worthy” to be loved, trusted, adored, obeyed, by the inhabitants of all worlds. What a sublime thought is this! What a consolatory truth! What would the universe be if God, a Being of infinite POWER, were not a Being of perfect RIGHTEOUSNESS, and could not be trusted by the creatures which he has made!