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It Is A Good Thing To Thank The Lord

Psalm 92

Introduction: 1) Cultivating a Jesus –like attitude of gratitude is a good and healthy

thing. (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Psalm 107:1 & 136:1).
2) Psalm 92 is “A song for the Sabbath day” (superscription). Exulting in the truths that
God is loving and He is faithful (v.2), this unknown psalmist, according to Jewish
tradition Adam, who composed the hymn on the first Sabbath of creation, calls us to
thank God for four specific aspects of His person and work.
I. Thank the Lord for His character 92:1-3
• The Psalm begins where right worship begins: with God.
• The focus is on His name and character.
1) Declare it with your words 92:1-2
• Three avenues of worship, with our words, are affirmed.
- Give thanks (NIV, HCSB, “praise”) to the Lord (Yahweh).
- Sing praises (NIV, “make music”) to Your name, O Most High
(Elyon).
- To declare Your lovingkindness (hesed) and Your faithfulness
(emunah).
2) Demonstrate it with your worship 92:3
• Being a Sabbath song, this is a worship song. Verse 3 addresses some (the list is
not exhaustive) of the musical instruments we may employ when we gather to
worship our God.
• Verse 3 is a bit tricky as to its precise meaning, literally translated as, “on the ten
and on the harp (Hebrew “nebel”) with resounding music on the lyre (“kinnor”).
However, the basic meaning is clear: it is good to come before the Lord with
string instruments that worship Him with good words in a good way.
- Good words – there is biblical and theological integrity.
- Good way – the music is melodious and does not distract or detract from
the glory of God, His person, His character, His works!
• Sam Storms in an article entitled “Worship that Pleases God” scans Psalms 92-98
and notes 10 principles to guide us in worshipping our great God.
1) Worship that pleases God is perpetual and constant (92:2).
2) Worship that pleases God is instrumental (92:3; 98:5-6).
3) Worship that pleases God is joyful (92:4; 98:4).
4) Worship that pleases God is grounded in the recognition and celebration of
His greatness (92:5).
5) Worship that pleases God is loud and logical (95:2; 98:4-6).
6) Worship that pleases God is physical (95:6).
7) Worship that pleases God is fresh and creative (96:1; 98:1).
8) Worship that pleases God is public (96:3).
9) Worship that pleases God ascribes glory to His Name, but doesn’t add to it
(96:7-9).
10) Worship that pleases God involves the whole of creation in celebrating his
goodness (96:11-13a; 98:8-9a).
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II. Thank the Lord for His works 92:4-7

• A key word links verse 4-7, the word “work.” Some form of the word occurs 4
times, though the 4th use “workers of iniquity,” stands in stark contrast to the
wondrous works of God.
• “A true knowledge of God will increase our gratitude, awe and worship of the
God we serve.”
1) His works will make you glad 92:4
• The word Lord (Yahweh) occurs 6 times in this psalm. His works, when
mediated upon, make us glad on the inside and cause us to rejoice on the
outside.
• The Westminster Shorter Catechism completed in 1647 has as Question #1:
“What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God
and to enjoy Him forever.
2) His works show He is great 92:5
• Again the vocative of address, “O Lord” (Yahweh). This phrase actually
appears at the end of the first affirmation, bridging and connecting the 2
thoughts as found in the NASV; NIV; ESV; HCSB.
• Two affirmations or confessions are made:
- How great are your works, O Lord
- Your thoughts are very deep (NIV, “profound”)
• Consider: He is all powerful. Who understands that?
He is all knowing. Who understands that?
He is everywhere present. Who understands that?
He is eternal. Who understands that?
He is gracious. Who understands that?
He is loving. Who understands that?
3) His works reveal the wicked are like grass 92:6-7
• Verses 6-7 stand in monumental contrast to verses 4-5. The greatness and
genius of God is the very opposite of sinful and foolish man. Note the tragic
descriptions and digression: “A senseless man” (v.6) → “a fool” (v.6) →
“the wicked” (v.7) → “workers of iniquity” (v.7) → “Your enemies” (v.8).
• Their lives: “they do not know” (v.6) → “do not understand” (v.6) →
“spring up like grass” (v.7) → “flourish and then destroyed forever” (v.7).
How tragic. How sad. How righteous. How just.
III. Thank the Lord for His judgment 92:8-9
These 2 verses naturally flow out of verses 6-7, but develop the psalmist’s argument a
step further. The contrast between the Lord who is high and the foolish wicked who
are destroyed is dramatic.
1) The Lord is preeminent 92:8
The “But You” is emphatic. You and no other has supreme authority and power
over everything there is. Psalms 93-100 will especially emphasis the truth of our
Lord’s sovereignty. Colossians 1:15-18 rightly ascribes such authority to the Son, the
Lord Jesus, who is said to be preeminent over all things including the physical
Creation and His Church.
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2) The wicked will perish 92:9

• Verse 9, in a sense, sums up vs. 6-7.
- “For behold your enemies” is repeated for rhetorical effect.
- “Your enemies” is paralleled by “workers of iniquity” (cf. v. 7). The
NIV calls them “evildoers.”
- “Shall perish” is paralleled by “shall be scattered.”
IV. Thank the Lord for His blessings 92:10-15
• These final verses draw attention to the ways in which God blesses His children,
those who give Him thanks, sing His praises, and declare His lovingkindness and
faithfulness (v.1). These are they who avoid the way of the senseless man, the
fool, the wicked, workers of iniquity, the enemies of God. Here is the wisdom of
Psalm 1 replayed once more.
1) The righteous will be exalted 92:10-11
• God exalts “the horn,” a symbol of power and strength, of the righteous like a
wild ox.
• Exalting us with His power, the Lord anoints us with fresh oils, a sign of His
presence, His blessing, joy and happiness in Him.
• The ESV captures well the result of the Lord’s exalting us in v.11, “My eyes
have seen the down fall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my
evil assailants.” Note that we see and hear. It is all God’s doing.
2) The righteous will flourish 92:12-15
• A pseudo/false “flourishing” was exposed in v. 7. Now the real thing is
examined in vs. 12-15. Note that some form of the word “flourish” occurs 3
times in our English text.
• Vs. 12 is beautiful Hebrew parallelism.
- The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.
- He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
• Verses 13-14 contain another word of encouragement and even great hope and
expectation. Those who are “planted in the house of the Lord” are those who
love His presence and stay there! The result: 1) they will flourish, prosper, in
the courts (presence) of God; 2) they shall bear fruit in old age, maintaining
their spiritual passion, vitality and usefulness. 3) They shall be fresh (lit.
“ever full of sap”) and green, vigorous and sturdy. And for what end? Verse
15 gives the answer: “To declare (v.2) that the Lord is 3 things:
1) “Upright” – He always does what is right and just.
2) “My rock” – He is my firm foundation and protection.
3) “There is no unrighteousness in Him” – He is holy and totally without
sin, fault or defect.
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Conclusion:
“How Good It Is To Thank the Lord”
(Isaac Watts)

How good it is to thank the Lord,

And praise to You, Most High, accord,
To show Your love with morning light,
And tell your faithfulness each night;
Yes, good it is Your praise to sing,
And all our sweetest music bring.

O Lord, with joy my heart expands,

Before the wonders of Your hands;
Great works, Jehovah, You have wrought,
Exceeding deep Your ev’ry thought;
A foolish man knows not their worth,
Nor he whose mind is of the earth.

When as the grass the wicked grow,

When sinners flourish here below,
Then is there endless ruin nigh.
But You, O Lord, enthroned on high;
Your foes shall fall before Your might,
The wicked shall be put to flight.

The righteous man shall flourish well,

And in the house of God shall dwell;
He shall be like a healthy tree,
And all his life shall fruitful be;
For righteous is the Lord and just,
He is my Rock, in him I trust.

Original Trinity Hymnal, #535