Psalms 92:14

KJV

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 92:14, nestled within a psalm celebrating God's righteous character and the enduring nature of His faithful, proclaims the sustained vitality and spiritual fruitfulness of those who are planted in the Lord's house. It paints a vivid picture of believers who, even in advanced age, continue to thrive, bearing abundant spiritual fruit and remaining robustly vigorous, a testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and their deep, abiding connection to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 92 is uniquely titled "A Song for the Sabbath day," suggesting its liturgical use and thematic focus on God's sovereignty and justice, particularly as revealed in creation and His dealings with humanity. The psalm opens with an invitation to praise God for His mighty works and faithfulness (verses 1-5). It then contrasts the fleeting prosperity and ultimate destruction of the wicked with the enduring strength and flourishing of the righteous (verses 6-9). This contrast sets the stage for the vivid imagery of the righteous, who are likened to flourishing trees—the palm and the cedar of Lebanon—planted in the house of the Lord (verses 12-13). Verse 14 serves as a powerful culmination of this imagery, emphasizing that the vitality and productivity of the righteous do not diminish with time but rather persist, even into old age, ultimately declaring God's righteousness (verse 15). The psalm thus moves from general praise to specific application, highlighting the blessed outcome for those who remain faithful.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "old age" was generally seen as a blessing and a sign of God's favor, often associated with wisdom, respect, and a life well-lived. However, it also came with the natural decline of physical strength and productivity. The imagery of the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon is culturally significant. Palm trees (date palms) were known for their longevity (living over a century) and continuous fruit-bearing, providing sustenance even in old age. Cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their immense size, deep roots, durability, and majestic beauty, symbolizing strength and permanence. Being "planted in the house of the Lord" would evoke the temple courts, a place of divine presence and provision, indicating a deep, intimate, and sustained relationship with God. The Sabbath context further emphasizes rest in God's completed work and the sustained blessing that flows from it, rather than human effort.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Psalms 92 and the broader Psalter. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Faithfulness and Sustenance**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to nourish and uphold His people, ensuring their spiritual vitality endures through all seasons of life. It also highlights the **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a pervasive theme in the Psalms, where the temporary success of the ungodly is sharply juxtaposed with the lasting prosperity and blessing of those who trust in the Lord, as seen in [Psalms 1](/psalms/1 "Psalms 1 - The Two Ways"). Furthermore, the verse develops the theme of **Spiritual Fruitfulness**, portraying a life that continues to yield good works, wisdom, and a powerful testimony to God's character, even as physical strength wanes. This concept of enduring fruitfulness is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 11:30](/proverbs/11-30 "Proverbs 11:30 - The Fruit of the Righteous"). The imagery of being "fat and flourishing" speaks to **Holistic Well-being and Abundance**, not merely material wealth, but a robust spiritual and emotional health that stems from a deep connection to the divine source of life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fat (Hebrew, _deshen'_):** This word (דֶּשֶׁן) carries connotations of richness, abundance, and fertility. It is often used in the context of ashes from burnt offerings, symbolizing richness and fullness, or referring to fertile ground. Here, it signifies a state of being well-nourished, robust, and full of vigor, not merely physically large, but spiritually thriving and prosperous. It implies a condition of spiritual health and vitality that defies the typical decline associated with old age.
* **Flourishing (Hebrew, _ra'anan'_):** The Hebrew term (רַעֲנָן) literally means "fresh," "green," or "vigorous." It is frequently used to describe lush, verdant vegetation, indicating a state of continuous freshness and vitality. When applied to people, it suggests a vibrant, youthful energy and an absence of decay or dryness. Combined with "fat," it paints a picture of sustained spiritual vigor, freshness, and productivity, regardless of chronological age.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;":** This clause presents a radical counter-cultural promise. "They" refers to the righteous, those "planted in the house of the Lord" (verse 13). The phrase "bring forth fruit" signifies active productivity, spiritual impact, and good works, much like a tree yielding its produce. The crucial addition "in old age" directly challenges the natural expectation of decline, asserting that spiritual usefulness and vitality will not diminish with physical aging. Instead, wisdom, experience, and deepened faith can lead to even greater spiritual output.
* **"they shall be fat and flourishing;":** This second clause describes the *condition* of the righteous who continue to bear fruit. "Fat" (deshen) indicates a state of spiritual richness, abundance, and being well-nourished by God's presence and provision. "Flourishing" (ra'anan) reinforces this, portraying them as fresh, vibrant, and vigorous, like a perpetually green and thriving tree. This imagery emphasizes a robust, healthy, and vibrant spiritual life that defies the typical signs of physical decay, demonstrating God's sustaining power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 92:14 employs powerful **Metaphor** and **Imagery** to convey its message. The righteous are implicitly compared to the palm trees and cedars of Lebanon mentioned in the preceding verses, known for their longevity and continuous fruitfulness. This extended metaphor highlights the enduring spiritual vitality of those rooted in God. The specific imagery of being "fat and flourishing" evokes a sensory experience of lushness and abundance, contrasting sharply with the common perception of old age as a period of decline. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** by implicitly setting the enduring fruitfulness of the righteous against the fleeting prosperity of the wicked described earlier in the psalm. This vivid language serves to deepen the theological truth that God's faithfulness sustains His people in a way that defies natural limitations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 92:14 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to sustain and empower His faithful people throughout their lives, irrespective of age. It reveals that spiritual vitality is not dependent on physical strength or youthful vigor, but on a deep, abiding connection to God, the ultimate source of life and nourishment. This verse challenges the notion that one's period of usefulness to God diminishes with age, instead affirming that a life rooted in divine truth will continue to yield spiritual fruit, wisdom, and a vibrant testimony. It speaks to the holistic well-being—spiritual, emotional, and even physical—that God bestows upon those who remain steadfast in their devotion, reflecting His character as a faithful provider and sustainer of life.

* [Psalms 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalms 1:3 - The Blessed Man Like a Tree")
* [Jeremiah 17:7-8](/jeremiah/17-7 "Jeremiah 17:7-8 - Trust in the Lord, Like a Tree by Water")
* [Isaiah 40:30-31](/isaiah/40-30 "Isaiah 40:30-31 - Renewed Strength for Those Who Wait on the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:14 offers profound encouragement and a powerful vision for every believer, particularly those who may feel that their best years of service are behind them. It reminds us that our capacity for spiritual contribution, growth, and impact is not limited by our physical age or the natural processes of aging. Rather, a life deeply rooted in God's presence, nourished by His truth and sustained by His Spirit, can lead to an increase in wisdom, grace, and effectiveness, allowing us to continue bearing fruit for His kingdom throughout our entire lives. This verse calls us to cultivate a lifelong, intimate relationship with God, trusting that He will sustain our spiritual vigor, enabling us to remain vibrant witnesses to His goodness and power, even as our bodies age. It challenges us to redefine "old age" not as a period of decline, but as a season potentially rich with accumulated wisdom, deepened faith, and continued spiritual productivity, all for God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "fat and flourishing" challenge your preconceived notions about aging and spiritual usefulness?**
* **In what ways can believers, particularly in their later years, continue to "bring forth fruit" for God's kingdom?**
* **What practices or attitudes can help you remain "planted in the house of the Lord" so that you might experience sustained spiritual vitality throughout your life?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to view the wisdom and experience of older believers in your community?**

### FAQ
**Does "fat and flourishing" imply material wealth or physical health?**

Answer: While the terms "fat" (deshen) and "flourishing" (ra'anan) can certainly encompass physical well-being and even material prosperity in some biblical contexts, in Psalms 92:14, the primary emphasis is on spiritual vitality, abundance, and vigor. "Fat" signifies being well-nourished and robust in a holistic sense, often spiritually. "Flourishing" speaks to freshness, vitality, and continuous growth, like a healthy, green plant. Therefore, while God's blessing can include physical health and provision, the core message here is about a thriving spiritual condition that defies the natural decline of old age, enabling sustained fruitfulness and a powerful testimony to God's faithfulness. This spiritual richness is the true "fatness" and "flourishing" promised to the righteous, as seen in the broader context of the psalm's contrast between the enduring righteous and the fleeting wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:14 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the true source of all spiritual life and fruitfulness. Jesus declared Himself to be the "true vine" and His Father the vinedresser, instructing His disciples to "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](/john/15-4 "John 15:4 - Abide in the Vine")). The enduring fruitfulness promised to the righteous in Psalms 92 is realized in believers through their union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is by His life flowing through us that we can "still bring forth fruit in old age," as the Spirit empowers us for service, wisdom, and love, even when physical strength wanes ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). The promise of being "fat and flourishing" points to the abundant life that Christ came to give ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")), a life characterized by spiritual health, vigor, and an unwavering testimony to God's righteousness, fully rooted in the finished work of the Lamb of God who was planted, died, and rose again to give us eternal life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Thus, the psalm's vision of enduring vitality is ultimately a reflection of Christ's own inexhaustible life and His power to sustain His people through every season.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 46:4

And [even] to [your] old age I [am] he; and [even] to hoar hairs will I carry [you]: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver [you].

Psalms 71:18

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

Jeremiah 17:8

For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Philippians 1:11

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

John 15:2

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:5

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.