TRV
Translation
King James Version
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Complete Jewish Bible
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar in the L'vanon.
Berean Standard Bible
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
American Standard Version
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
World English Bible Messianic
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The righteous shall flourish like a palme tree, and shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon.
Young's Literal Translation
The righteous as a palm-tree flourisheth, As a cedar in Lebanon he groweth.
In the KJVVerse 15,424 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 92 verses 7–15
7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
The psalmist had said (Psa 92:4) that from the works of God he would take occasion to triumph; and here he does so.
I. He triumphs over God's enemies (Psa 92:7, Psa 92:9, Psa 92:11), triumphs in the foresight of their destruction, not as it would be the misery of his fellow-creatures, but as it would redound to the honour of God's justice and holiness. He is confident of the ruin of sinners, 1. Though they are flourishing (Psa 92:7): When the wicked spring as the grass in spring (so numerous, so thickly sown, so green, and growing so fast), and all the workers of iniquity do flourish in pomp, and power, and all the instances of outward prosperity, are easy and many, and succeed in their enterprises, one would think that all this was in order to their being happy, that it was a certain evidence of God's favour and an earnest of something as good or better in reserve: but it is quite otherwise; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. The very prosperity of fools shall slay them, Pro 1:32. The sheep that are designed for the slaughter are put into the fattest pasture. 2. Though they are daring, Psa 92:9. They are thy enemies, and impudently avow themselves to be so. They are contrary to God, and they fight against God. They are in rebellion against his crown and dignity, and therefore it is easy to foresee that they shall perish; for who ever hardened his heart against God and prospered? Note, All the impenitent workers of iniquity shall be deemed and taken as God's enemies, and as such they shall perish and be scattered. Christ reckons those his enemies that will not have him to reign over them; and they shall be brought forth and slain before him. The workers of iniquity are now associated, and closely linked together, in a combination against God and religion; but they shall be scattered, and disabled to help one another against the just judgment of God. In the world to come they shall be separated from the congregation of the righteous; so the Chaldee, Psa 1:5. 3. Though they had a particular malice against the psalmist, and, upon that account, he might be tempted to fear them, yet he triumphs over them (Psa 92:11): "My eye shall see my desire on my enemies that rise up against me; I shall see them not only disabled from doing me any further mischief, but reckoned with for the mischief they have done me, and brought either to repentance or ruin:" and this was his desire concerning them. In the Hebrew it is no more than thus, My eye shall look on my enemies, and my ear shall hear of the wicked. He does not say what he shall see or what he shall hear, but he shall see and hear that in which God will be glorified and in which he will therefore be satisfied. This perhaps has reference to Christ, to his victory over Satan, death, and hell, the destruction of those that persecuted and crucified him, and opposed his gospel, and to the final ruin of the impenitent at the last day. Those that rise up against Christ will fall before him and be made his footstool.
II. He triumphs in God, and his glory and grace. 1. In the glory of God (Psa 92:8): "But thou, O Lord! art most high for evermore. The workers of iniquity who fight against us may be high for a time, and think to carry all before them with a high hand, but thou art high, most high, for evermore. Their height will be humbled and brought down, but thine is everlasting." Let us not therefore fear the pride and power of evil men, nor be discouraged by their impotent menaces, for the moth shall eat them up as a garment, but God's righteousness shall be for ever, Isa 51:7, Isa 51:8. 2. In the grace of God, his favour and the fruits of it, (1.) To himself (Psa 92:10): "Thou, O Lord! that art thyself most high, shalt exalt my horn." The great God is the fountain of honour, and he, being high for evermore, himself will exalt his people for ever, for he is the praise of all his saints, Psa 148:14. The wicked are forbidden to lift up the horn (Psa 75:4, Psa 75:5), but those that serve God and the interest of his kingdom with their honour or power, and commit it to him to keep it, to raise it, to use it, and to dispose of it, as he pleases, may hope that he will exalt their horn as the horn of a unicorn, to the greatest height, either in this world or the other: My horn shalt thou exalt, when thy enemies perish; for then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, when the wicked shall be doomed to shame and everlasting contempt. He adds, I shall be anointed with fresh oil, which denotes a fresh confirmation in his office to which he had been anointed, or abundance of plenty, so that he should have fresh oil as often as he pleased, or renewed comforts to revive him when his spirits drooped. Grace is the anointing of the Spirit; when this is given to help in the time of need, and is received, as there is occasion, from the fulness that is in Christ Jesus, we are then anointed with fresh oil. Some read it, When I grow old thou shalt anoint me with fresh oil. My old age shalt thou exalt with rich mercy; so the Septuagint. Compare Psa 92:14, They shall bring forth fruit in old age. The comforts of God's Spirit, and the joys of his salvation, shall be a refreshing oil to the hoary heads that are found in the way of righteousness. (2.) To all the saints. They are here represented as trees of righteousness, Isa 61:3; Psa 1:3. Observe, [1.] The good place they are fixed in; they are planted in the house of the Lord, Psa 92:13. The trees of righteousness do not grow of themselves; they are planted, not in common soil, but in paradise, in the house of the Lord. Trees are not usually planted in a house; but God's trees are said to be planted in his house because it is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that they receive all the sap and virtue that keep them alive and make them fruitful. They fix themselves to holy ordinances, take root in them, abide by them, put themselves under the divine protection, and bring forth all their fruits to God's honour and glory. [2.] The good plight they shall be kept in. It is here promised, First, That they shall grow, Psa 92:12. Where God gives true grace he will give more grace. God's trees shall grow higher, like the cedars, the tall cedars in Lebanon; they shall grow nearer heaven, and with a holy ambition shall aspire towards the upper world; they shall grow stronger, like the cedars, and fitter for use. He that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Secondly, That they shall flourish, both in the credit of their profession and in the comfort and joy of their own souls. They shall be cheerful themselves and respected by all about them. They shall flourish like the palm-tree, which has a stately body (Sol 7:7), and large boughs, Lev 23:40; Jdg 4:5. Dates, the fruit of it, are very pleasant, but it is especially alluded to here as being ever green. The wicked flourish as the grass (Psa 92:7), which is soon withered, but the righteous as the palm-tree, which is long-lived and which the winter does not change. It has been said of the palm-tree, Sub pondere crescit - The more it is pressed down the more it grows; so the righteous flourish under their burdens; the more they are afflicted the more they multiply. Being planted in the house of the Lord (there their root is), they flourish in the courts of our God - there their branches spread. Their life is hid with Christ in God. But their light also shines before men. It is desirable that those who have a place should have a name in God's house, and within his walls, Isa 56:5. Let good Christians aim to excel, that they may be eminent and may flourish, and so may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, as flourishing trees adorn the courts of a house. And let those who flourish in God's courts give him the glory of it; it is by virtue of this promise, They shall be fat and flourishing. Their flourishing without is from a fatness within, from the root and fatness of the good olive, Rom 11:17. Without a living principle of grace in the heart the profession will not be long flourishing; but where that is the leaf also shall not wither, Psa 1:3. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, Psa 104:16. See Hos 14:5, Hos 14:6. Thirdly, That they shall be fruitful. Were there nothing but leaves upon them, they would not be trees of any value; but they shall still bring forth fruit. The products of sanctification, all the instances of a lively devotion and a useful conversation, good works, by which God is glorified and others are edified, these are the fruits of righteousness, in which it is the privilege, as well as the duty, of the righteous to abound; and their abounding in them is the matter of a promise as well as of a command. It is promised that they shall bring forth fruit in old age. Other trees, when they are old, leave off bearing, but in God's trees the strength of grace does not fail with the strength of nature. The last days of the saints are sometimes their best days, and their last work is their best work. This indeed shows that they are upright; perseverance is the surest evidence of sincerity. But it is here said to show that the Lord is upright (Psa 92:15), that he is true to his promises and faithful to every word that he has spoken, and that he is constant to the work which he has begun. As it is by the promises that believers first partake of a divine nature, so it is by the promises that that divine nature is preserved and kept up; and therefore the power it exerts is an evidence that the Lord is upright, and so he will show himself with an upright man, Psa 18:25. This the psalmist triumphs in: "He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him. I have chosen him for my rock on which to build, in the clefts of which to take shelter, on the top of which to set my feet. I have found him a rock, strong and stedfast, and his word as firm as a rock. I have found" (and let every one speak as he finds) "that there is no unrighteousness in him." He is as able, and will be as kind, as his word makes him to be. All that ever trusted in God found him faithful and all-sufficient, and none were ever made ashamed of their hope in him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–15. Public domain.
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Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 13:3
Accordingly, it is not proper to adore God outside of this holy court, but only within it, lest anyone who is outside of it and is attracted by those outside of it might lose the right to be in the court of the Lord. Many assume an attitude of prayer, but they are not in the court because of the wandering of their mind and the distraction of their thoughts coming from vain solicitude. It is possible to consider the court in a still loftier sense as the heavenly way of life. Therefore, “They that are planted” here “in the house of the Lord,” which is the church of the living God, they “shall flourish in the courts of our God.” But one who makes his belly a god, or glory, or money or anything else which he honors more than all things, neither adores the Lord nor is in the holy court, even though he seems to be worthy of the visible assemblies.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 92
"Such as are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God" [Psalm 92:12]. "They shall be yet more increased in fruitful old age, and shall be quiet, that they may show it forth" [Psalm 92:13]. Such is the Sabbath, which but a little while ago I commended unto you, whence the Psalm has its title. "They shall be quiet, that they may show it forth." Wherefore are they quiet that show it forth? The grass of sinners moves them not: the cedar and palm-tree not even in tempests are bent. They are therefore quiet, that they may show it forth: and with reason, since at present they must show it forth even unto men who mock at it. O wretched men, who are lovers of the world! Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, show it to you: those who praise the Lord with song and lute, in word and deed, show it forth to you, and tell you. Be not seduced by the prosperity of the wicked, admire not the flower of grass: admire not those who are happy only for a season, but miserable unto eternity....If you wish to flourish like a palm-tree, and to spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus, and not to wither like grass when the sun is hot; as those who appear to flourish when the sun is absent. If then ye wish not to be as grass, but as the palm-tree and the cedar, what will you show forth? "How true the Lord my strength is: and that there is no unrighteousness in Him." How is it there is no unrighteousness? A man commits so great crimes; he is well, he has sons, a plentiful house, he is full of pride, is exalted by his honours, is revenged on his enemies, and does every evil deed; another man, innocent, attending to his own affairs, not robbing another's goods, doing nothing against any one, suffers in chains, in prison, tosses and sighs in poverty. How is it that there is no unrighteousness in Him? Be quiet, and you shall know: for you are disturbed, and in your chamber thou dost darken your light. The eternal God does wish to shine upon you: do not then make you cloudy weather from your own disturbed mind. Be quiet within yourself, and see what I say unto you. Because God is eternal, because for the present He spares the bad, bringing them to repentance: He scourges the good, instructing them in the way unto the kingdom of heaven: "There is no unrighteousness in Him:" fear not....What, if He leaves this man unpunished now, because he is doomed to hear, "Depart into everlasting fire." But when? When you shall be placed at the right hand, then shall it be said to those placed on the left, "Depart into the everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels." Let not therefore those things move you: Be quiet, keep Sabbath, and show "how true the Lord my strength is: and that there is no unrighteousness in Him."
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 92
The grass withers, the flower of sinners dies away: what of the righteous? "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree" [Psalm 92:12]. The ungodly are green as grass; "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree." By the palm tree he signifies height. Possibly he had also this meaning in the palm, that in its extremities it is beautiful: so that you may trace its beginning from the earth, its end in its topmost branches, wherein its whole beauty dwells. The rough root appears in the earth, the beautiful foliage toward the sky. Your beauty too, then, shall be in the end. Your root is fixed fast: but our root is upward. For our root is Christ, who has ascended into heaven. Humbled, he shall be exalted; "he shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus." See what trees he spoke of: the righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree: and shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus. When the sun has gone forth, does the palm-tree wither? Does the cedar die? But when the sun has been glowing for some hours, the grass dries up. The judgment, therefore, shall come, that sinners may wither, and the faithful flourish.
Desert FathersAD 500
SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS 186
An old man used to say, “It is written, ‘The righteous one shall blossom like the palm tree.’ ” Now these words make known that the soul acquires height, and straightness of stature and sweetness from beautiful deeds. But there is another quality that is found in the palm, that is, a single, white heart, which is wholly suitable for work (or useful for being worked). And this must be found in the righteous person, for his heart must be single and simple, and it must be accustomed to look toward God only. Now the heart of the palm tree is also white by reason of that fire that it possesses naturally, and all the service of the righteous person is in his heart; and the hollowness and the evenness of the tops of the leaves [typify] the setting up of sharpness of the soul of the righteous person against the calumniator.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 92:12 offers a profound and encouraging metaphor for the enduring vitality and strength of those who live righteously before God. This verse, embedded within a psalm designated for the Sabbath, paints a vivid picture of the believer's blessed state, assuring them of a deep-rooted, stable, and continuously fruitful existence, contrasting sharply with the fleeting success of the wicked. It speaks to a divinely sustained flourishing that is both resilient and abundant, reflecting a life intimately connected to the Lord and rooted in His character.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse is exceptionally rich in Imagery, painting vivid and memorable pictures of flourishing palm trees and majestic cedars that immediately convey a sense of vitality, strength, and permanence. The primary literary device employed is Simile, where the righteous are explicitly compared to these two distinct yet complementary types of trees through the use of the word "like." This dual comparison allows for a fuller, more nuanced understanding of the righteous person's blessed state, highlighting both their fruitfulness and their stability. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Synonymous Parallelism, as the two clauses ("flourish like the palm tree" and "grow like a cedar in Lebanon") express similar ideas of growth, strength, and prosperity, reinforcing the central message through repetition and variation. The entire verse functions as an Extended Metaphor for the spiritual life of the righteous, using natural phenomena to describe profound spiritual realities of divine sustenance and enduring blessedness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates the biblical promise of divine blessing and sustenance for those who align their lives with God's righteousness. It underscores the theological truth that true flourishing is not merely superficial or temporary, but deep-rooted and enduring, a direct result of one's intimate relationship with the Creator. The imagery of the trees points to a life that is vibrant, productive, and resilient, drawing its lifeblood from God Himself. It affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating that His justice ensures not only the downfall of the wicked but also the sustained prosperity and strength of the righteous. This spiritual vitality is a testament to God's character and His active involvement in the lives of those who seek Him, promising a flourishing that transcends earthly circumstances and endures through all seasons of life.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 92:12 offers immense encouragement and a profound call to spiritual depth and integrity. It teaches us that true prosperity is primarily spiritual, characterized by a deep-rooted, resilient faith that produces good fruit regardless of external circumstances. Our spiritual growth, like that of the palm and cedar, is a continuous process of deepening our roots in God's truth, His word, and His unwavering love, allowing us to stand tall and bear fruit even amidst the arid seasons of life. Living righteously—committing to God's ways, seeking justice, cultivating integrity, and pursuing holiness—is not a burden but the very foundation for this promised flourishing. We are called to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness, knowing that He will sustain and bless those who faithfully serve Him, enabling them to stand strong, bear spiritual fruit, and remain vibrant throughout their lives, even into old age, as the broader context of the psalm further declares. This verse invites us to examine the source of our strength and the nature of our fruitfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "flourish like the palm tree" signify for the righteous?
Answer: "Flourish like the palm tree" signifies several key characteristics of the righteous. It speaks to their uprightness and spiritual beauty, their consistent fruitfulness even in challenging or "arid" spiritual conditions, and their remarkable resilience. Just as a palm tree stands tall and produces abundant dates, the righteous are portrayed as spiritually vibrant, productive, and able to thrive where others might wither, sustained by an inner source of divine life and drawing deeply from God's provision.
Why are "cedars in Lebanon" used as a comparison for the righteous?
Answer: The "cedars in Lebanon" are used to symbolize the immense spiritual strength, deep-rooted stability, and impressive longevity of the righteous. These majestic trees were renowned for their towering height, robust trunks, and resistance to decay, often used in significant and enduring structures like Solomon's Temple. The comparison highlights that the righteous possess a profound, unwavering faith that is not easily swayed or uprooted by adversity, but rather grows in stature and resilience, becoming a powerful and enduring testament to God's sustaining power and faithfulness in their lives.
Is the promise of flourishing and growth in this verse primarily about material prosperity?
Answer: While God can certainly bless the righteous materially, the primary emphasis of Psalms 92:12 is on spiritual vitality, deep-rooted faith, resilience, and fruitfulness in character and conduct. The "flourishing" and "growing" described are holistic, encompassing spiritual well-being, moral integrity, and a life that produces good works and glorifies God. It's about an inner strength and an enduring connection to God that allows one to thrive in all circumstances, rather than merely an accumulation of earthly wealth. The psalm's context emphasizes God's justice in sustaining the righteous, implying a comprehensive, divinely-enabled prosperity that extends beyond the material.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and, by extension, in those who are united with Him. Jesus is the perfectly righteous one, the true "palm tree" who stood tall and bore abundant fruit even unto death on the cross, and the majestic "cedar of Lebanon" whose life, death, and resurrection established an unshakeable kingdom and an eternal foundation for all who believe. In Him, the promise of flourishing is not merely a metaphor but a living reality for believers. Through faith in Christ, we are not only declared righteous (Romans 3:22) but are also spiritually transformed by the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling us to bear the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11). Our "flourishing" and "growing" are a participation in His resurrected life, as we are branches grafted into the true vine (John 15:5), drawing all our sustenance directly from Him. The enduring strength and fruitfulness described in the psalm are made possible by the Spirit, producing the "fruit of the Spirit" such as love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22-23), ensuring that our spiritual growth is sustained by God Himself, who began a good work in us and will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).