Are you ready to praise God? Then Psalm 92 is a great place to start! Learn why "it is good to give thanks to the Lord" (Psalm 92:1).
Overall Structure
Psalm 92 has a complex structure very similar to Psalm 91.
Psalm 92 divides nicely into two sections of 7 verse and 52 words each (in Hebrew) with a 1 verse pivot that is not part of either section. The use of a 1 verse pivot is a technique unique to this psalm. This pivot verse is also the meaningful center of the psalm.
but you, O Lord, are on high forever. Psalm 92:8
Each of the two sections also have their own meaningful centers.
Section 1:
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:4
Section2 :
The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12
Other Structural Devices
Importance of Seven
- Title: Song for the Sabbath (day 7)
- 7 verses before and after the meaningful center
- 7 uses of LORD (YHWH) with the middle one in the meaningful center
- 112 words in total (16 x 7)
- 7 characteristics of of fools and 7 of the righteous
The number seven was chosen as a structural element almost certainly because it is a Psalm for the Sabbath, as the title declares. For more details on the numerical structure please see this post by Labuschagne.
Words Addressed to God, Words About God, and Words About the Righteous
Most of the psalm is a prayer to God, but the psalm is bookended by one line about God at the beginning and 1 line about God at the end. There are also 4 verses about the righteous.
Menorah Pattern
A menorah pattern is 7 items in a 3-1-3 pattern with a clear center. As is often true with the Menorah Psalms, the themes mirror themselves from the center outward.
It Is Good to Praise God
You Have Made Me Glad
The Wicked Are Doomed
You Are On High
Your Enemies Perish
The Righteous Flourish
The Righteous Bear Fruit
It Is Good to Praise God
Psalm 92:1-3
The psalm begins and ends with one line spoken about God. The one line at the beginning declares that "It is good to give thanks to the Lord".
The rest of this section is a prayer of praise to God declaring His love and faithfulness.
Praise is a joyful activity that should come naturally to all believers. We have a God that loves us and is always faithful.
Are you praising God?
You Have Made Me Glad
Psalm 92:4-5
The psalmist gives us two more reasons to praise God: His works and His thoughts. We should find joy in contemplating the works of God and the immeasurable depth of His thoughts.
We find the Meaningful Center of first section in verse 4.
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:4
Are you struggling to find joy? Contemplate the works of God and the depth of His thoughts.
The Wicked Are Doomed
Psalm 92:6-7
Over the next 6 verses we find 7 characteristics of the wicked. In this section we are reminded that:
- They cannot know (Psalm 92:6)
- They cannot understand (Psalm 92:6)
- They sprout (Psalm 92:7)
- They flourish (Psalm 92:7)
- They are doomed (Psalm 92:7)
Verse six reminds us that the wicked don't understand God, His works or their own fate. Verse seven admits that they may sprout and flourish for a time but they are doomed to destruction.
Are you envious of the flourishing of the wicked? Remember their end!
You Are On Hight
Psalm 92:8
We now come to the meaningful center of the psalm. It is preceded by 52 words and 7 verses in Hebrew and followed by 52 words and 7 verses. It is also the middle use of God's covenant name YHWH.
It is only four words in the original Hebrew: You on-high forever YHWH!
The wicked may flourish for a time but God is exalted forever!
Your Enemies Perish
Psalm 92:9-11
With this section we begin to mirror the first 3 themes. This section returns to the theme of the wicked.
In it we find the final two characteristics of the wicked:
- They perish (Psalm 92:9)
- They are scattered (Psalm 92:9)
In contrast to this, the righteous are exalted and honored by God (Psalm 92:10).
The Righteous Flourish
Psalm 92:12-13
This section responds to the second section, "You have made me glad", by rejoicing in the flourishing of the righteous.
The psalmist now changes to talking about the righteous rather than praying to God. In the remaining verses we find 7 characteristics of the righteous to contrast with the 7 characteristics of the wicked. In this section we find the first 4:
- They flourish like a palm tree (Psalm 92:12)
- They grow like a cedar (Psalm 92:12)
- They are planted in the house of God (Psalm 92:13)
- They flourish in the courts of God (Psalm 92:13)
Verse 12 is the Meaningful Center of 2nd Section.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12
The Righteous Bear Fruit
Psalm 92:14-15
The final section is both a response to the opening section, "It is good to praise God", and a contrast to the wicked. Here we find the final 3 characteristics of the righteous. Both the wicked and the righteous may flourish, but the wicked will end in destruction but the righteous will:
- Bear fruit in old age (Psalm 92:14)
- Always be full of sap and green (Psalm 92:14)
- Declare God is upright (Psalm 92:15)
The psalm ends as it began, with a one line statement about God: "He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."
God is a rock for the righteous and a righteous judge for the wicked.
Application
It is good to praise God! Why?
- He is loving
- He is faithful
- His works are great
- His thoughts are deep
- He destroys the wicked
- He is exalted forever
- He blesses the righteous
- He is upright
- He is a rock for the righeous
- There is no unrighteousness in Him
Are you ready to praise God?
This post is part of a series on the Psalms.
by Jerry Wyrick, President of Worship Arts Conservatory