Psalms 92 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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1It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
PSALM 92
Psa 92:1-15. A Psalm-song--(see on Psa 30:1, title). The theme: God should be praised for His righteous judgments on the wicked and His care and defense of His people. Such a topic, at all times proper, is specially so for the reflections of the Sabbath day.
1. sing ... name--celebrate Thy perfections.
2To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
2. in the morning, ... every night--diligently and constantly (Psa 42:8).
loving kindness--literally, "mercy."
faithfulness--in fulfilling promises (Psa 89:14).
3Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
3. In such a work all proper aid must be used.
with a ... sound--or, on Higgaion (see on Psa 9:16), perhaps an instrument of that name, from its sound resembling the muttered sound of meditation, as expressed also by the word. This is joined with the harp.
4For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
4. thy work--that is, of providence (Psa 90:16, 17).
5O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
5. great ... works--correspond to deep or vast thoughts (Psa 40:5; Ro 11:23).
6A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
6. A brutish man knoweth not--that is, God's works, so the Psalmist describes himself (Psa 73:22) when amazed by the prosperity of the wicked, now understood and explained.
7When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
8But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
8. This he does in part, by contrasting their ruin with God's exaltation and eternity.
most high--as occupying the highest place in heaven (Psa 7:7; 18:16).
9For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
9-10. A further contrast with the wicked, in the lot of the righteous, safety and triumph.
10But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
9-10. A further contrast with the wicked, in the lot of the righteous, safety and triumph.
11Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
11. see ... [and] ... hear my desire--or, literally, "look on" my enemies and hear of the wicked (compare Psa 27:11; 54:7)--that is, I shall be gratified by their fall.
12The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
12-14. The vigorous growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the pious;
13Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
12-14. The vigorous growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the pious;
14They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
12-14. The vigorous growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the pious;
15To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
15. and they thus declare God's glory as their strong and righteous ruler.