Those who have seen the perishableness of man (Psalm 90) and have been given an eye for the Messiah (Psalm 91), for that man the Sabbath rest dawns (Psalm 92). About the meaning of the Sabbath rest we read in Hebrews 3 and 4. On that day the Psalmist praises the lovingkindness, chesed, and faithfulness of the LORD (v. 2). Psalm 92 shows us prophetically what is found in the heart of the believing remnant. They are “the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev_14:4). They have seen Christ in Psalm 91 and have become followers of Him, just like the Lord’s disciples in the Gospels.
This Psalm is also a "song", which underscores its character as a song of giving thanks. It is impossible to view the glory of the Lord Jesus in a cold, sober, distant manner. Every aspect of God's glory that is taken into the heart will bring thanksgiving and worship. We see that here with the faithful remnant of Israel. It is also the only psalm that has in its heading "for the Sabbath day". The Sabbath is the weekly day of rest (Exodus 20:8~11). God gave that day to His people to remember especially on that day that He rested from His work of creation (Genesis 2:2) and that redemption is also entirely His work (Deuteronomy 5:12~15). Resting on the Sabbath day means acknowledging that God is the origin of all things. Then the God-fearing Jew renounces all his own interests to think only of God and give thanks to Him for Who He is and what He has done. This will be the occupation in the realm of peace, which may well be called the millennial Sabbath.
A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
Psalms 92:2
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
Psalms 92:3
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
Psalms 92:4
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
Psalms 92:5
O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Psalms 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
Psalms 92:7
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
Psalms 92:8
But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
Psalms 92:9
For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
Psalms 92:10
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Psalms 92:11
Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
Psalms 92:12
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalms 92:13
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalms 92:14
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
Psalms 92:15
To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
The psalm has the stylistic figure of a chiasm, which is a stylistic figure consisting of a repetition with a reversal. This chiasm – we can also speak of a ‘pyramid form’ – at the same time gives the layout of the psalm:
A. The work of redemption is accomplished (Psalm 92:1-4).
---B. The consequences for the antichrist and his followers (Psalm 92:5-7).
------C. The Most High is the eternal LORD (Psalm 92:8).
---B. The consequences for the hostile nations (Psalm 92:9-11).
A. The consequences of the work of redemption for the believers (Psalm 92:12-15).
We see that through this figure of speech, attention falls on the middle verse:
"But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore" (Psalm 92:8).
The glorification of God is the purpose of creation. Because of sin, man falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Salvation results in God being glorified beyond measure!
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