Psalm 92:12 kjv
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 92:12 nkjv
The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 92:12 niv
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
Psalm 92:12 esv
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 92:12 nlt
But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
Psalm 92 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season... | Flourishing, fruitfulness, nourishment |
| Ps 52:8 | But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God... | Steadfastness, vitality in God's presence |
| Jer 17:8 | He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream... | Deep roots, resilience, spiritual nourishment |
| Isa 61:3 | ...that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord... | Strong, righteous, planted by God |
| Prov 11:28 | ...whoever trusts in the Lord shall flourish like a green leaf. | Trust in God leads to flourishing |
| Prov 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter... | Progressive growth and revelation |
| Hos 14:5 | I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like Lebanon. | God causing growth and rooting |
| Hos 14:6 | His shoots will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. | Spiritual beauty, wide influence, fragrance |
| Num 24:6 | Like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedars beside waters. | God's planted people thriving like cedars |
| Phil 1:11 | filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory... | Bearing fruit through Christ |
| Col 2:7 | rooted and built up in him and established in the faith... | Rootedness, growth, stability in faith |
| Eph 4:15 | Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head... | Growth in Christ |
| 2 Pet 3:18 | But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... | Growth in grace and knowledge |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me...bears much fruit... | Bearing fruit through abiding in Christ |
| Matt 7:17 | So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. | Good deeds evidence of righteous nature |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... | Qualities of spiritual flourishing |
| Ps 92:7 | That though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction. | Contrast: Wicked's temporary flourish vs. righteous's enduring. |
| Ps 92:14 | They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green... | Continued vitality even in old age |
| Job 8:16-17 | He is like a tree in full leaf before the sun... His roots entwine around the stone heap... | Prosperity, deep roots, resilience |
| Mal 4:1-2 | ...But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing... | Contrast: Destruction of wicked vs. healing of righteous |
| Rev 22:2 | ...On either side of the river, was the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit... | Eternal life, sustained fruitfulness |
| Ps 125:1 | Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. | Unshakable stability in the Lord |
| Isa 58:11 | ...and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. | Sustained divine provision and freshness |
| Jer 11:16 | The Lord once called you "a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit"... | God's chosen people as productive trees |
Psalm 92 verses
Psalm 92 12 Meaning
Psalm 92:12 proclaims that those who are righteous will experience a vibrant, enduring, and distinguished form of flourishing. Through the vivid metaphors of the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon, the verse depicts the spiritual vitality, steadfastness, and majestic growth that characterize the lives rooted in God's righteousness, contrasting sharply with the fleeting prosperity of the wicked.
Psalm 92 12 Context
Psalm 92 is notably subtitled "A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day," indicating its suitability for meditative worship on a day dedicated to the Lord. The Psalm celebrates God's wonderful works and righteous judgments. Before verse 12, the Psalm contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. Verses 7-9 describe how the wicked, though they "spring up like grass" and may appear to flourish, are ultimately doomed to destruction. This sets a direct literary and theological stage for verse 12, which then elaborates on the enduring, majestic, and certain flourishing of the righteous. Historically and culturally, the imagery draws from common, impressive trees in the Levant, deeply familiar to the Israelite audience, whose qualities communicated strength, longevity, and abundance.
Psalm 92 12 Word analysis
The righteous (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq): Refers to those who are morally upright and stand in right relationship with God, conforming to His standards. It denotes character and conduct flowing from a true heart towards God. Their righteousness is often attributed to divine grace and covenant faithfulness.
shall flourish (יִפְרַח - yiphrach): To blossom, bloom, or burst forth. It conveys a sense of vigorous life, new growth, beauty, and prosperity, implying visible success and vitality. This flourishing is internal and external, spiritual and often temporal, stemming from a divine source.
like the palm tree (כַּתָּמָר - kat-tamar): A simile comparing the righteous to a palm tree. The palm tree (date palm) is known for its upright growth, constant greenness even in dry climates (as its roots seek water deep underground), fruitfulness (dates were a staple food), resilience, and beauty. It signifies steady growth, productivity, and unwavering character.
he shall grow (יִשְׂגֶּה - yisgeh): To grow great, multiply, or increase significantly. It suggests a more profound and expansive form of development and prosperity than "flourish," implying substantial stature and influence.
like a cedar in Lebanon (כְּאֶרֶז בַּלְּבָנוֹן - k'erez ba-Levanon): Another simile comparing the righteous to the magnificent cedar of Lebanon. These trees are famous for their immense size, deep and extensive root systems, incredible strength, durability, aromatic wood (used for temples and palaces), and longevity (living for hundreds of years). They grow on high, rugged terrain. This imagery denotes stability, majesty, strength of character, endurance, resilience in adversity, and deep-seated firmness.
"flourish like the palm tree": This phrase paints a picture of graceful beauty, continuous productivity (even in spiritual deserts), and an upright character that reaches heavenward. It highlights the visible and constant vitality of the righteous life.
"grow like a cedar in Lebanon": This phrase emphasizes the underlying strength, permanence, and deeply rooted foundation of the righteous. It speaks to a growth that produces great stature, resilience against spiritual storms, and a life that offers stability and lasting influence to others, like the strong timber used for significant structures. These two imageries complement each other, demonstrating both the vibrant fruitfulness and the unshakable stability of those who live righteously before God.
Psalm 92 12 Bonus section
The "flourishing" and "growth" depicted in this verse are primarily spiritual and qualitative, though they can manifest in various ways including aspects of temporal well-being as God sees fit. The metaphors are chosen to depict aspects beyond mere material accumulation, such as character development, influence, steadfastness in faith, and spiritual productivity. The comparison to specific, revered trees implies that the righteous are distinct, highly valued, and leave a significant legacy, just as cedar wood was prized for building and palms for their fruit and resilience. This counters any cultural emphasis on fleeting outward shows of success, redirecting focus to the enduring, God-ordained trajectory of the upright life.
Psalm 92 12 Commentary
Psalm 92:12 provides a powerful declaration of God's blessing on the righteous, starkly contrasting it with the fleeting prosperity of the wicked discussed earlier in the Psalm. The choice of the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon as metaphors is deeply significant. The palm tree speaks to the inherent vitality, consistent fruitfulness, and beauty of the righteous. Like a palm, which provides sustenance and shade, the righteous bring blessing and refresh to their surroundings. Its ability to thrive in challenging environments underscores that the flourishing of the righteous is not dependent on superficial conditions but on deep spiritual roots. The cedar of Lebanon amplifies this message by portraying extraordinary strength, stability, and enduring grandeur. Its immense size, deep roots, and longevity signify a life of profound substance, unshakeable faith, and a lasting spiritual impact. This growth and flourishing are not momentary but are characterized by an ever-increasing maturity, rootedness, and fruitfulness throughout all seasons of life, even into old age (as Ps 92:14 states). This verse assures believers that their devotedness to God, despite any outward challenges or temporary success of the unrighteous, leads to an unshakeable and truly abundant life in Christ, firmly planted by divine grace.