TRV
Translation
King James Version
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
KJV (with Strong's)
They shall still bring forth fruit H5107 H8799 in old age H7872; they shall be fat H1879 and flourishing H7488;
Complete Jewish Bible
Even in old age they will be vigorous, still full of sap, still bearing fruit,
Berean Standard Bible
In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,
American Standard Version
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green:
World English Bible Messianic
They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green,
Geneva Bible (1599)
They shall still bring foorth fruite in their age: they shall be fat and flourishing,
In the KJVVerse 15,426 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 92:14 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalms 92:14, situated within a psalm that exalts God's righteous character and the enduring nature of His faithful, vividly proclaims the sustained vitality and spiritual fruitfulness of those deeply rooted in the Lord's presence. It paints a compelling picture of believers who, even in advanced years, continue to thrive, bearing abundant spiritual fruit and remaining robustly vigorous, serving as a powerful testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and their profound, abiding connection to Him.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 92 is uniquely designated "A Song for the Sabbath day," indicating its intended use in worship and its profound focus on God's sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness, particularly as manifested in creation and His dealings with humanity. The psalm commences with an earnest invitation to praise God for His magnificent works and unwavering faithfulness (verses 1-5). It then establishes a stark contrast between the fleeting prosperity and ultimate destruction of the wicked and the enduring strength and flourishing of the righteous (verses 6-9). This foundational contrast meticulously prepares the reader for the rich imagery of the righteous, who are likened to majestic, flourishing trees—specifically the palm and the cedar of Lebanon—firmly "planted in the house of the Lord" (verses 12-13). Verse 14 serves as a powerful culmination of this botanical metaphor, emphatically stating that the vitality and productivity of the righteous do not diminish with the passage of time but persist and even intensify into old age, ultimately serving to declare God's unimpeachable righteousness (verse 15). The psalm thus seamlessly transitions from a general hymn of praise to a specific, deeply personal application, illuminating the blessed and enduring outcome for those who remain steadfastly faithful.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israelite society, "old age" (Hebrew, sêybâh) was generally esteemed as a profound blessing and a clear indication of God's favor, often associated with accumulated wisdom, profound respect, and a life lived in accordance with divine principles. However, it was also universally understood to bring the natural decline of physical strength and productivity. The imagery employed in the psalm, particularly that of the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon, carries significant cultural weight. Date palm trees were celebrated for their extraordinary longevity, often living for over a century, and their remarkable ability to bear fruit continuously, providing essential sustenance even in their advanced years. Cedars of Lebanon, conversely, were revered for their immense stature, deeply entrenched root systems, unparalleled durability, and majestic beauty, symbolizing unwavering strength, permanence, and regal splendor. The phrase "planted in the house of the Lord" would immediately evoke the sacred temple courts, a consecrated space of divine presence, intimate communion, and abundant provision, thereby signifying a deep, intimate, and sustained relationship with God. The Sabbath context further underscores the theme of resting in God's completed work and the sustained blessing that flows from His sovereign provision, rather than from human striving or effort.
Key Themes: This verse profoundly enriches several pivotal themes interwoven throughout Psalms 92 and the broader collection of the Psalter. Foremost, it powerfully articulates the theme of Divine Faithfulness and Sustenance, unequivocally demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to nourish, uphold, and empower His people, ensuring their spiritual vitality endures through every season of life. It also starkly highlights the Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked, a pervasive motif within the Psalms, where the temporary, fleeting success of the ungodly is sharply juxtaposed with the lasting prosperity, profound blessing, and enduring fruitfulness of those who place their trust implicitly in the Lord, as vividly portrayed in Psalms 1. Furthermore, the verse intricately develops the theme of Spiritual Fruitfulness, portraying a life that consistently yields good works, profound wisdom, and a powerful, living testimony to God's righteous character, even as physical strength naturally wanes. This concept of enduring fruitfulness is beautifully echoed in other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 11:30. The evocative imagery of being "fat and flourishing" speaks to a holistic well-being and abundance, transcending mere material wealth to encompass a robust spiritual and emotional health that emanates directly from a deep, abiding connection to the divine source of all life.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 92:14 masterfully employs powerful Metaphor and vivid Imagery to convey its profound message. The righteous are implicitly compared to the long-lived palm trees and majestic cedars of Lebanon, previously mentioned in verses 12-13, renowned for their longevity, deep roots, and continuous fruitfulness. This extended metaphor brilliantly highlights the enduring spiritual vitality and unwavering stability of those who are deeply rooted in God. The specific imagery of being "fat and flourishing" evokes a rich sensory experience of lushness, abundance, and vibrant health, standing in stark Contrast to the common perception of old age as a period of inevitable decline and diminished capacity. The verse also subtly utilizes Hyperbole by suggesting a level of sustained vigor that defies natural human experience, thereby emphasizing the supernatural nature of God's sustaining power. This vivid and evocative language serves to deepen the theological truth that God's unwavering faithfulness sustains His people in a way that transcends and even defies natural limitations.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 92:14 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to sustain, nourish, and empower His faithful people throughout every stage of their lives, irrespective of chronological age. It reveals a foundational truth: spiritual vitality is not contingent upon physical strength or youthful vigor, but rather on a deep, abiding, and intimate connection to God, who is the ultimate and inexhaustible source of all life and nourishment. This verse powerfully challenges the prevalent notion that one's period of usefulness or capacity for divine service diminishes with age, instead affirming that a life deeply rooted in divine truth will continue to yield abundant spiritual fruit, profound wisdom, and a vibrant testimony. It speaks to the holistic well-being—encompassing spiritual, emotional, and even physical dimensions—that God graciously bestows upon those who remain steadfast in their devotion, reflecting His immutable character as a faithful provider and sustainer of life in all its fullness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:14 offers profound encouragement and a powerful, counter-cultural vision for every believer, especially those who may feel that their most productive years of service are behind them, or those who fear the diminishing returns of aging. It serves as a vital reminder that our capacity for spiritual contribution, continued growth, and impactful influence is not inherently limited by our physical age or the natural processes of aging. On the contrary, a life deeply rooted in God's abiding presence, consistently nourished by His unchanging truth, and perpetually sustained by His indwelling Spirit, can paradoxically lead to an increase in wisdom, grace, and effectiveness, enabling us to continue bearing rich fruit for His kingdom throughout our entire lives. This verse issues a compelling call to cultivate a lifelong, intimate, and dependent relationship with God, trusting implicitly that He will faithfully sustain our spiritual vigor. This divine sustenance empowers us to remain vibrant witnesses to His goodness, power, and faithfulness, even as our physical bodies naturally age. Ultimately, it challenges us to redefine "old age" not as a period of inevitable decline or irrelevance, but as a season potentially rich with accumulated wisdom, deepened faith, and continued spiritual productivity, all for the greater glory of God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "fat and flourishing" imply material wealth or physical health?
Answer: While the Hebrew terms "fat" (dâshên) and "flourishing" (raʻănân) can, in certain biblical contexts, encompass aspects of physical well-being and even material prosperity, in Psalms 92:14, the primary and overarching emphasis is on spiritual vitality, abundance, and vigor. "Fat" signifies being profoundly well-nourished and robust in a holistic sense, which often extends to spiritual richness. "Flourishing" speaks to a continuous state of freshness, vitality, and ongoing growth, much like a healthy, verdant plant. Therefore, while God's comprehensive blessing can certainly include physical health and provision, the core message here is about a thriving spiritual condition that remarkably defies the natural decline associated with old age. This spiritual robustness enables sustained fruitfulness and a powerful, living testimony to God's unwavering faithfulness. This spiritual richness is the true "fatness" and "flourishing" promised to the righteous, as clearly seen in the broader context of the psalm's stark contrast between the enduring righteous and the fleeting, temporary prosperity of the wicked.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very essence and true source of all spiritual life and enduring fruitfulness. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser," instructing His disciples, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4). The enduring fruitfulness promised to the righteous in Psalms 92 is not merely an aspiration but a glorious reality for believers through their vital union with Christ and the transformative indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is by His inexhaustible life flowing through us that we are empowered to "still bring forth fruit in old age," as the Spirit graciously enables us for renewed service, profound wisdom, and sacrificial love, even when physical strength naturally wanes (Galatians 5:22-23). The promise of being "fat and flourishing" points directly to the abundant life that Christ came to bestow (John 10:10), a life characterized by deep spiritual health, vibrant vigor, and an unwavering testimony to God's righteousness. This life is fully rooted in the finished work of the Lamb of God, who was planted in the earth, died for our sins, and rose again to grant us eternal life and newness of life in Him (Romans 6:4). Thus, the psalm's vision of enduring vitality and flourishing is ultimately a magnificent reflection of Christ's own inexhaustible life and His divine power to sustain His people through every season and circumstance.