Psalm 92
Psa 92:1-15. A Psalm-song--(see on Psa 30:1, title). The theme: God should be praised for His righteous judgments on the wicked and His care and defense of His people. Such a topic, at all times proper, is specially so for the reflections of the Sabbath day
1. sing ... name--celebrate Thy perfections.
2. in the morning, ... every night--diligently and constantly ([Psa 42:8]).
loving kindness--literally, "mercy."
faithfulness--in fulfilling promises ([Psa 89:14]).
3. In such a work all proper aid must be used.
with a ... sound--or, on Higgaion (see on [Psa 9:16]), perhaps an instrument of that name, from its sound resembling the muttered sound of meditation, as expressed also by the word. This is joined with the harp.
4. thy work--that is, of providence ([Psa 90:16], ).
5. great ... works--correspond to deep or vast thoughts ([Psa 40:5]; [Ro 11:23]).
6. A brutish man knoweth not--that is, God's works, so the Psalmist describes himself ([Psa 73:22]) when amazed by the prosperity of the wicked, now understood and explained.
8. This he does in part, by contrasting their ruin with God's exaltation and eternity.
most high--as occupying the highest place in heaven ([Psa 7:7]; ).
9-10. A further contrast with the wicked, in the lot of the righteous, safety and triumph.
11. see ... [and] ... hear my desire--or, literally, "look on" my enemies and hear of the wicked (compare [Psa 27:11]; )--that is, I shall be gratified by their fall.
12-14. The vigorous growth, longevity, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the pious;
15. and they thus declare God's glory as their strong and righteous ruler.
Psalm 93
Psa 93:1-5. This and the six following Psalms were applied by the Jews to the times of the Messiah. The theme is God's supremacy in creation and providence
1. God is described as a King entering on His reign, and, for robes of royalty, investing Himself with the glorious attributes of His nature. The result of His thus reigning is the durability of the world.
2-4. His underived power exceeds the most sublime exhibitions of the most powerful objects in nature ([Psa 89:9]).
5. While His power inspires dread, His revealed will should secure our confidence (compare [Psa 19:7]; ), and thus fear and love combined, producing all holy emotions, should distinguish the worship we offer in His house, both earthly and heavenly.
Psalm 94
Psa 94:1-23. The writer, appealing to God in view of the oppression of enemies, rebukes them for their wickedness and folly, and encourages himself, in the confidence that God will punish evildoers, and favor His people
1-2. God's revenge is His judicial infliction of righteous punishment.
show thyself--(Compare Margin).
3-4. In an earnest expostulation he expresses his desire that the insolent triumph of the wicked may be ended.
5-6. thy people [and] thine heritage--are synonymous, the people being often called God's heritage. As justice to the weak is a sign of the best government, their oppression is a sign of the worst ([De 10:18]; [Is 10:2]).
7. Their cruelty is only exceeded by their wicked and absurd presumption ([Psa 10:11]; ).
8. ye brutish--(Compare [Psa 73:22]; ).
9-11. The evidence of God's providential government is found in His creative power and omniscience, which also assure us that He can punish the wicked in regard to all their vain purposes.
12-13. On the other hand He favors though He chastens, the pious, and will teach and preserve them till the prosperous wicked are overthrown.
14-15. This results from His abiding love ([De 32:15]), which is further evinced by His restoring order in His government, whose right administration will be approved by the good.
16. These questions imply that none other than God will help ([Psa 60:9]),
17-19. a fact fully confirmed by his past experience.
dwelt in silence--as in the grave ([Psa 31:17]).
20. throne--power, rulers.
iniquity [and] mischief--both denote evils done to others, as [Psa 94:21] explains.
22-23. Yet he is safe in God's care.
defence--([Psa 59:9]).
rock of ... refuge--([Psa 9:9]; ).
Psalm 95
Psa 95:1-11. David (He 4:7) exhorts men to praise God for His greatness, and warns them, in God's words, against neglecting His service
1. The terms used to express the highest kind of joy.
rock--a firm basis, giving certainty of salvation ([Psa 62:7]).