Psalm 92:12-15: The Flourishing of the Righteous -- By: Richard D. Patterson
Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 166:663 (Jul 2009)
Article: Psalm 92:12-15: The Flourishing of the Righteous
Author: Richard D. Patterson
BibSac 166:663 (Jul 2009) p. 271
Psalm 92:12-15: The Flourishing of the Righteous
Richard D. Patterson is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Psalm 92 is one of the loveliest psalms in the Psalter. It is most often classified as a praise psalm. Estes calls it a declarative praise psalm,1 while Anderson and VanGemeren note that it has features not only of descriptive praise but also of a hymn and individual thanksgiving.2 Dahood calls it a “royal song of thanksgiving.”3 Leupold observes that the praise is suitable for individual or congregational use, especially on the Sabbath Day.4 According to the Mishnah certain psalms were selected for each day of the week and were sung by the Levites, “after the offering of the sacrifice.”5 The various objects of praise as well as the literary elements within the psalm demonstrate the possibility of any of the above classifications.6
BibSac 166:663 (Jul 2009) p. 272
Clearly it is a praise psalm with hymnic qualities as seen in its tone of “exuberant praise of the Lord.”7 Further, its basic elements of (a) the elevation of the object of praise (God), (b) together with the subordination of the author, and (c) a testimony to the object of praise as seen throughout the psalm argue that the psalm is one of praise. The psalm also has a structure that conforms to the normal pattern of a praise psalm, namely, an opening call or invitation to praise followed by the reasons for praise. The psalm opens on a high note of the benefit of praising the Lord together with His name as well as His covenant love and faithfulness (vv. 1-3), along with the reasons for doing so (v. 4). The great works of God are the next object of praise, which includes the eventual destruction of evildoers (vv. 5-9). By way of contrast, the psalmist praised the Lord for the defeat of his enemies (vv. 10-11), and closed with a climactic paean of praise for God’s blessings on the righteous (vv. 12-15). The psalm may be outlined as follows.