Psalms 92:13

FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS

"They are planted in the house of Jehovah;

They shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;

They shall be full of sap and green:

To show that Jehovah is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."

"They are planted in the house of Jehovah" (Psalms 92:13). "The psalmist thinks of the righteous as trees planted in the temple courts where they flourish in the presence of God."[15] It is unknown whether trees were actually grown on the grounds of the Jewish tabernacle or temple; but the metaphor is not teaching us about trees, but about the righteous. It is an eternal fact that "the righteous" are always "planted," that is, established, in the service of God and in his consistent and continual worship.

Leupold commented that, "Regarding this verse (Psalms 92:13) as figurative language yields a good meaning."[16]

"Fruit in old age ... to show that Jehovah is upright" (Psalms 92:14-15). The longevity and fruitfulness of God's true worshippers is promised here, and there is a special quality of such fruitfulness in that it does not cease with the decease of the righteous. "Their works follow with them" (Revelation 14:13); and one reason why the "crown of righteousness" cannot be awarded to saints immediately when they die, but must wait, as Paul said, until "That Day," is that the eternal achievement of any faithful soul cannot be fully known until it is concluded; and that conclusion occurs not at death, but at the Judgment.

And how about this present life? Is it really true that prosperity and longevity are provided for the people of God, as distinguished from the rest of mankind? The answer is a bold and unequivocal affirmative. Where is the world's greatest prosperity? Where are the longest life-spans? Are such things to be found where the gospel of Christ is unknown? The answer is NO! Nothing any more clearly illustrates this than the example of Russia, once a nominally "Christian nation." They renounced God and his holy religion in 1917; and after 73 years, the whole nation was starving to death, and who was feeding them? The United States of America was selling them 200 million metric tons of wheat every year for the last dozen years of that godless regime.

"To show that Jehovah is upright" (Psalms 92:15). The facts just cited not merely show that Jehovah is upright, but that he is truthful. He blesses those who serve him and lays a heavy hand of judgment upon those who do not serve him.

"The happy and flourishing old age of the righteous are a strong indication of God's faithfulness and truth, showing, as it does, that God keeps his promises, and never forsakes those who put their trust in him."[17] In cases of individuals, this great truth may not always be visible; but when the larger view, as evidenced in the nations of the world mentioned above, the astounding truth of what is written here shines like a beacon in the night.