Psalms 92:12

12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalms 92:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 92:12

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree
Not like grass, as the wicked, ( Psalms 92:7 ) which is weak and tender, and soon cut down; but like trees, and like palm trees, that are firm and strong, and of a long continuance: the word for righteous being of the singular number, has led some to think that Christ is meant; but though he is eminently the righteous One, being so in himself, and the author of righteousness to others, yet not he, but his church and people, are compared to a palm tree, ( Song of Solomon 7:7 Song of Solomon 7:8 ) , the reason why the singular number is made use of is, as Aben Ezra thinks, because the righteous are very few, in comparison of the wicked: the sense is, that everyone of the righteous, or everyone that is righteous, through the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and are created anew in righteousness and true holiness, and live soberly, righteously, and godly, are like the flourishing palm trees; which grow upright, and under the greatest pressures, and rise upwards against the greatest weight upon them ^F5; whose force and vigour is on the top of them, which being cut off, they die; which delight in hot climates and sunny places, bear a delicious fruit, are ever green, are very durable, and their branches used in token of joy and victory; it is said to be a perfect image of a man, and in many things to resemble him ^F6: so truly righteous persons are upright ones in heart and life, grow up into their head, Christ, and rise up heavenwards in their desires and affections; and, like the Israelites, the more they are pressed with the weight of afflictions, the more they grow; their grace and strength, their life and rigour, lie in their head, Christ; from whom was it possible they could be separated, as it is not, they would instantly die; they flourish under him, the sun of righteousness, and his warming beams of love, and bring forth the fruits of righteousness by him, to the glory of God; their leaf of profession does not wither, but is always green; the grace of God, which is in them, being an incorruptible and never dying seed: hence, in the issue, they make that palm, bearing company in ( Revelation 7:9 ) who are more than conquerors through Christ, that has loved them: the Greek version is, "as the phoenix", which some of the ancients understood of a bird so called, supposed to rise out of its ashes, and use it to prove the resurrection of the dead ^F7:

he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon;
where the best, tallest, largest, and strongest cedars grow; (See Gill on Isaiah 37:24) to which the righteous are compared, who grow up by degrees higher and higher, even to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; and, stronger and stronger in him, go from strength to strength, having their spiritual strength renewed by him; and cast forth their roots in him, like Lebanon, and the cedars there; and spread their boughs and branches, like them, in the exercise of grace and discharge of duty; and grow in every grace, of faith, hope, love, humility, self-denial, and submission to the will of God, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ; and are durable as the cedar, never die, their life being hid with Christ in God. Kimchi refers this to the days of the Messiah.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Plutarch. apud A. Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 3. c. 6.
F6 Set Sandys's Travels, l. 2. p. 80.
F7 Texelii Phoenix, l. 1. c. 4. p. 14.

Psalms 92:12 In-Context

10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil.

11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.

12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

13 For they are transplanted to the LORD ’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.