Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 92

Several years ago, as I was saying the prayer before our Thanksgiving meal, I was struck by the realization that I had a great number of things to be thankful to God for. I began to see that having one day a year designated as “Thanksgiving”, just wasn’t giving God His due praise. That day I committed myself to making every day, “Thanksgiving” in my heart. Every morning when I wake up, I make it a point to thank God for my life and everything in it. Psalm 92 is a wonderful psalm to start the day with.

Psalm 92:1-2

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;  to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

Man strives in this life to find happiness. Happiness has been aptly defined as a state that is dependent on circumstances. Most of us are well aware, that life doesn’t always present itself in easy and happy circumstances. But joy is the state of being that resides in our hearts and it is not dependent on circumstance. Joy derives itself from God. The Bible tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Psalm 92:4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

God’s work will make you glad and cause you to rejoice. People spend way too much time in artificial, man-made environments. Sitting inside our homes, schools, and our places of employment, do nothing to awaken in us an appreciation for God’s creation. We need to get outside more and just be in awe of God and His great creation. The reason things like fishing and hunting grab so many men’s attention has at its root, our innate need to be with God, because He is seen in the creation.

Psalm 92:5
How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!

We need to slow down. We need to stop our hurried lives and simply ponder the greatness of our creator.

Psalm 92:6-9
The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:  that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;  but you, O LORD, are on high forever.  For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

The fool has said in in his heart there is no God. The chase for happiness in this life for those who foolishly reject God, leads only to death.

Psalm 92:10
But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil.

Verse 10 is the picture of a Christian. Oil in scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When we become Christ’s, the Spirit of God takes abode in our hearts.

Psalm 92:12-14
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.  They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,

They flourish. They still bear fruit in old age.

And for what purpose?

Psalm 92:15
To declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

We must stop thinking we can go to church on Sunday and then go back to our old habits and sins. We must stop thinking we are honoring God if we only worship Him for an hour on Sunday.

We must live day to day on verse 1.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

He is the Most High. Praise Jesus.