Psalm 92

Songs of Praise and Righteousness

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Intro

Today, we delve into Psalm 92, a beautiful composition of praise to God, portraying His incredible works and the fate of the righteous and wicked. As we explore the Psalm through the lens of the New Covenant, we see its striking relevance to Christ's teachings and His grace towards us.

Section 1: Praise for the Lord's Deeds (Verses 1-5)

"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, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!"

Harmony 

The expression of praise echoes in the New Testament, as seen in Colossians 3:16-17, where we're instructed to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God.

Talking Points:

1. The significance and benefits of thanking and praising God.

2. Experiencing joy through God's works.

3. The greatness and depth of God's works and thoughts.

Questions:

1. How does regular practice of giving thanks influence our spiritual life?

2. In what ways have you experienced joy through God's works?

3. How can reflecting on the greatness and depth of God's thoughts deepen our faith?
   
   

Section 2: The Destiny of the Wicked (Verses 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."

Harmony 

The inevitable downfall of the wicked aligns with Revelation 21:8, depicting the final judgment and eternal separation from God for those who do not know Him.

Talking Points:

1. The temporary success of the wicked and their ultimate destiny.

2. God's eternal sovereignty.

3. The demise of God's enemies and evildoers.

Questions:

1. How should we react when we see wickedness temporarily prospering in the world?

2. How does understanding the eternal nature of God comfort us amid the transient success of the wicked?

3. What assurance does God's judgement on evildoers bring to us as believers?
   
   

Section 3: The Blessing of the Righteous (Verses 10-15)

"But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; you have poured over me fresh oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. 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, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."

Harmony 

The thriving of the righteous mirrors Christ's assurance in John 15:5, where Jesus states that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit.

Talking Points:

1. God's blessings and the exaltation of the righteous.

2. God's righteousness and His sustaining power.

Questions:

1. What does it mean for God to exalt your horn like that of the wild ox?

2. How does the image of flourishing like a palm tree and a cedar resonate with you?

3. How does the declaration of God's righteousness comfort and assure you?
   
   

Section 4: The Righteous Flourish in Old Age (Verses 14-15)

In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, [15] to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”

Let’s focus on these two verses. 

• They present a profound truth about the enduring vitality and purpose of the righteous, even in their old age. 

• Rooted in God's unwavering faithfulness, the righteous are likened to evergreen trees, bearing fruit throughout their lives. 

• Their continued flourishing serves a divine purpose: to testify to God's righteousness and unwavering stability. 

• The New Testament, through Jesus' teachings, amplifies this theme, urging believers to abide in Him to bear lasting fruit and further exalt God's righteousness.
  
  

1 Peter 2:6 speaks of Jesus as the cornerstone, chosen by God, and precious to Him. This idea of God, and by extension Jesus, as a rock is recurrent in the Scriptures.

Thought!

The idea of bearing fruit in old age connects with Jesus' teaching in John 15:5, where He says, 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Talking Points

• In the Gospel of John we hear Jesus' teaching on abiding in Him ensures that believers can bear fruit throughout their lives, reflecting God's life-giving presence.

• Note how the righteous are compared to strong, resilient trees, emphasizing their capacity to remain vital and productive even in old age.

• See how God's faithfulness is demonstrated in sustaining the righteous, ensuring they are not just alive but thriving.

• The primary purpose of the righteous's enduring vitality is to declare God's unwavering righteousness.

• God is described as a rock, emphasizing His stability, reliability, and unchanging nature.

• The New Testament continues to uphold God's righteousness and highlights the role of believers in testifying to this truth through their lives.

Questions

1. How does the image of bearing fruit in old age challenge conventional views of productivity and purpose in later life?

2. What practices can help believers stay connected to God and remain fruitful throughout their lives?

3. How does Jesus' teaching in John 15 further elucidate the concept of enduring fruitfulness?

4. Why is it essential for the righteous to declare God's uprightness continually?

5. How does understanding God as our rock impact our sense of security and purpose?

6. In what ways can believers in the New Covenant context proclaim God's righteousness?
   
   

Summary:

Psalm 92:1-15 is an anthem of praise to God for His marvelous works, contrasting the destiny of the wicked with the flourishing of the righteous. 

When viewed through the lens of the New Covenant, we see echoes of Christ's teachings: 

• we're reminded to sing with gratitude to God (Colossians 3:16-17), 

• we're assured of God's final judgement on wickedness (Revelation 21:8),

• and we're promised fruitful lives when we abide in Jesus (John 15:5). 

Through this Psalm, we're encouraged to persist in our faith, knowing that as believers, our lives under God's care will flourish, regardless of the temporary prosperity of the wicked. The Lord remains our rock, and in Him, there is no unrighteousness.

Psalms