Psalm 92 7

Psalm 92:7 kjv

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:

Psalm 92:7 nkjv

When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever.

Psalm 92:7 niv

that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

Psalm 92:7 esv

that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalm 92:7 nlt

Though the wicked sprout like weeds
and evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever.

Psalm 92 verses

Psalm 92 7 Meaning

Psalm 92:7 reveals a fundamental truth about divine justice: the temporary and apparent prosperity of the wicked is not a sign of God's indifference or approval, but rather a preliminary stage designed by God that leads directly to their permanent and ultimate destruction. It reassures the faithful that God is actively watching and will execute righteous judgment in His perfect timing.

Psalm 92 7 Context

Psalm 92 is notably titled "A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath Day," indicating its purpose for reflection and worship on the day set apart for God. The psalm opens with jubilant praise for the Lord's mighty works and thoughts, celebrating His faithfulness and righteousness (vv. 1-6). Against this backdrop of divine majesty and justice, verse 7 (along with verses 8-9) introduces a sharp contrast: the momentary, superficial success of the wicked set against their inevitable and eternal ruin. The psalmist likely composed this verse to offer encouragement and strengthen faith among those who might feel discouraged by the prosperity of evil-doers, affirming God's ultimate sovereignty and unwavering commitment to justice in a world that often seems to defy it. This directly challenges any worldview, ancient or modern, that interprets worldly success as divine approval for ungodly living.

Psalm 92 7 Word analysis

• When: (כִּי, Kiy) - Not merely a temporal "when," but often translated "for," "indeed," or "that." Here, it sets up a conditional clause implying "if" or "inasmuch as," establishing the premise for a divine decree or consequence.
• the wicked: (רָשָׁע, rasha') - Refers to those who are guilty, unrighteous, condemned, or who act against divine law. It emphasizes a moral state and behavior, implying a departure from God's way.
• spring: (פָּרַח, phārach) - To bud, blossom, shoot forth, flourish, break out. This verb conveys rapid, often exuberant growth, particularly of plants. It signifies a visible and vigorous burst of life.
• as the grass: (כֶּחָצִיר, ka-ḥātsîr) - The Hebrew ḥātsîr means grass or green herb. This is a powerful, recurring biblical metaphor for life's fleeting and transient nature (e.g., Ps 103:15, Isa 40:6-7). Grass springs up quickly, covers the ground, but also withers just as swiftly under the sun or blade.
• and when all the workers of iniquity: (וְכָל-פֹּעֲלֵי אָוֶן, ve-ḵol-pōʿăley āven) - This is a parallel phrase to "the wicked."
  • workers of: (פֹּעֲלֵי, pōʿăley) - Those who do, practice, perform, or engage in. It emphasizes their active engagement in evil.
  • iniquity: (אָוֶן, āven) - Can refer to trouble, sorrow, wickedness, vanity, idolatry, or moral evil. It denotes active harm or wrongdoing. The combination emphasizes systematic or habitual evil actions.
• do flourish: (יָצִיצוּ, yātsîtsû) - Similar to phārach, meaning to blossom, bud, or shine. It reinforces the idea of outward, apparent success and vigor. The repetition highlights the deceptive visibility of their prosperity.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish": This masterful parallelism employs agricultural imagery. It paints a picture of quick, widespread, and noticeable growth, mirroring the swift, outward rise of ungodly people. The ephemeral nature of grass—its quick flourishing and equally quick withering—is central to understanding the nature of this "prosperity." It's impressive but lacks root and longevity.
• "it is that they shall be destroyed forever": (לְהִשָּׁמְדָם עַד-עוֹלָם, lehishāmedām ʻad-ʻôlām) - This clause presents the antithesis and divine purpose behind the apparent prosperity.
  • destroyed: (הִשָּׁמְדָם, hishāmedām) - From the root shāmad (שָׁמַד), meaning to annihilate, be cut off, wiped out, laid waste, utterly ruined. It implies complete and decisive cessation. This term denotes a catastrophic end, often by divine judgment.
  • forever: (עַד-עוֹלָם, ʻad-ʻôlām) - "Until eternity," indicating an indefinite, unending, or perpetual duration. This stands in stark contrast to the temporary "grass." It signifies the permanence and irreversibility of their doom, confirming that their destruction is absolute and final. This is the divine explanation for their fleeting prosperity: it’s not for life, but for destruction.

Psalm 92 7 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between "grass" (ḥātsîr), symbolizing ephemerality and decay, and "forever" (ʻad-ʻôlām), representing permanence, is a core theological statement of the verse. Human life, especially that not rooted in God, is short and vulnerable like grass, while God's justice is eternal and unwavering.
• This verse effectively counters ancient and modern philosophies that link immediate, worldly prosperity with divine favor, exposing such an association as fundamentally flawed from God's eternal viewpoint.
• The phrasing "it is that they shall be destroyed" (לְהִשָּׁמְדָם) suggests not just an outcome but a divine purpose; their flourishing serves as a means or a preamble to their predetermined annihilation. It highlights God's active involvement in the just ordering of creation.
• As part of a Sabbath Psalm, the verse provides comfort and rest (peace of mind) for the righteous, knowing that even amidst apparent injustice, God's order will prevail. It fosters patient endurance and trust in divine timing.

Psalm 92 7 Commentary

Psalm 92:7 stands as a powerful declaration of God's unswerving justice, particularly relevant for those who observe the unhindered ascent of the wicked. The psalmist vividly depicts the rapid, luxuriant growth of "the wicked" and "all workers of iniquity" through the imagery of springing grass. This immediate, visible flourishing can be disconcerting, prompting questions about divine oversight or fairness. However, the verse abruptly transitions to reveal God's eternal perspective: their temporary rise is not an anomaly, but part of a divine sequence. It is specifically "that they shall be destroyed forever." God allows this superficial, fleeting success for a profound reason—it is the ripeness that precedes their total and irreversible downfall. This divine logic ensures that their transient gains are a mere prelude to an eternal reckoning, reaffirming God’s sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to ultimate righteousness over the temporal display of ungodly power.