Praise to Jehovah in anticipation of the millennial rest.
The 90th Psalm presents the eternal God in contrast with mortal man. The 91st Psalm presents Christ as the dependent Man, come into the circumstances of the mortal man. The 92nd sets forth the results of Christ having come into the circumstances of the mortal man. The psalm is described, in the heading, as “A Song for the Sabbath day.” In keeping with this heading we find in the psalm an anticipation of the gladness of the future millennial day of which the Sabbath is the type.
(vv. 1-4). The opening verses express the joy of the kingdom day when the loving-kindness and faithfulness of Jehovah will be declared. All the gladness of that scene will flow from Jehovah’s works.
(vs. 5) The millennial rest will not only be the outcome of what God has wrought, but will also be the witness of the greatness of God’s works, and the depth of His thoughts (Rom. 11:33-36). In the full light of Christianity we can see that the greatness of the works of God are the outcome of the depth of His thoughts. His thoughts carry us back before the foundation of the world, there to find all was purposed in the deep eternal counsel of God. His works find their greatest expression at the Cross whereby all the counsel of God is righteously fulfilled.
(vv. 6-7) The brutish man―pursuing the dull round of life without reference to God; and the fool—living only for the gratification of his lusts without fear of God―cannot know God’s thoughts, nor understand His works. Such do not realize that if they spring up suddenly, like the grass, and flourish for a time, it is only the prelude to their destruction.
(vs. 8) In contrast to the wicked, who are exalted for a brief moment and then pass away, Jehovah is on high for evermore.
(vv. 9-11) The absolute supremacy, and eternal stability of Jehovah’s throne must lead to the ultimate judgment of the wicked. All the enemies of Jehovah shall perish; all the workers of iniquity be scattered. Moreover the judgment of the wicked will lead to the earthly exaltation of Christ. Thus we are permitted to hear Christ saying, “mine horn shalt thou exalt,” and again, “I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”
The horn speaks of exaltation and power. Zacharias, anticipating the birth of Christ, speaks of Him as “an horn of salvation” (Lk. 1:69; see also Psalms 18:2; 75:10; 148:14). The anointed is the title of one appointed to rule. Christ, in His day, was anointed by the Holy Spirit of whom the oil is a type. In the day of His exaltation He will see the righteous judgment upon all His enemies.
(vv. 12-14) As the result of the exaltation of Christ, not only will the wicked be judged, but the righteous will be blessed. They shall flourish, not like the grass, that flourishes only for a day, as in the case of the wicked (vs. 7), but, as a palm tree that brings forth fruit in abundance, and as a cedar in Lebanon, Whose enduring age is measured by centuries. The godly will have their roots in the house of the Lord, and they will adorn the courts of our God. Age will not diminish their fruitfulness, nor lessen their vitality.
(vs. 15) If, however, the righteous have their place in the courts of the Lord it will be for the glory of the Lord— “to show that the LORD is upright;” that He is the firm “rock” on which all blessing is founded, and One in whom there is no unrighteousness.
How blessed are the results, as set forth in this psalm, of the coming of Christ into the circumstances of mortal man. It will inevitably lead to the exaltation of Christ, the judgment of the wicked, the blessing of the righteous, and the glory of God.