A Song for the Sabbath

By Denise Trio

“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. But you, Lord, are forever exalted. For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me. My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’”—Psalm 92 (NIV)

I often wake up with a song playing in my mind. I call it my “morning song,” a divine reminder that God sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17). This melody is not just a pleasant way to start the day, it's a sweet reminder of God's truth and His desire for a relationship with us.

Not only does God sing over us, but His Word also encourages us to sing to Him! Today's psalm is structured like a song with an introduction, verses, a chorus, and a bridge, each playing a crucial role in its message.

The psalm begins with a powerful introduction—a call to worship. The psalmist proclaims, “It’s good to praise the Lord” with songs and instruments! This call is more than an invitation, it’s a declaration of what is right and fitting, to praise God from the morning and through the night. Just as an introduction sets the tone of a song, these verses frame our understanding of the entire psalm. Praising God through music and heartfelt worship aligns us with His goodness.

The next stanza is like the first verse and, like a verse that begins the narrative of the rest of the song, it tells us why it’s good to worship. We’re reminded of the greatness of God's works. Reflecting on those works elicits joy, wonder, and gladness. The psalmist points out that foolish people fail to appreciate God’s divine artistry and His hand of justice. Even though wicked people seem to flourish, they’ll eventually perish.

Verses 9–11 act as the second verse, expanding on the reasons to worship God. They speak of the destruction of the Lord’s enemies, affirming that God's power and sovereignty ensure justice. This verse highlights that God’s works are both creative and redemptive. His authority is unshakeable, and His enemies will be defeated.

Verse 8 is like the chorus of this psalm. “But you, Lord, are forever exalted,” stands as the central refrain around which the verses revolve. This line underscores God’s eternal majesty and supremacy. The works of His hands and His victory over His enemies emphasize this central truth: God is exalted forever. Memorizing this verse would help keep us mindful of God's unchanging honor and glory.

The final section of the psalm functions as the bridge. Just as the bridge of a song adds an emphatic and emotional touch, this part shifts focus from the wicked to the righteous. The imagery of well-watered plants, palm trees, and cedars illustrates flourishing and resilience. Palm trees symbolize victory and righteousness, while cedars represent enduring strength. These analogies reveal that, just as plants need water and nutrient-rich soil to thrive, we need to be deeply rooted in God to flourish spiritually.

Since there’s no wickedness in God and we’re inherently sinful, our relationship with Him is made possible through Jesus. His death and resurrection cleanse us and provide everything we need to live a fruitful life. This ultimate act of grace is the greatest reason for praise and worship, evoking a response of thankfulness each morning and night.

As you reflect on this psalm, let its melody remind you of God's eternal majesty and the abundant life He offers. Sing to the Lord with joy, for He’s exalted forever, and may your heart overflow with worship as you experience His goodness daily.

Pause: If you were a plant, where would you be planted? What would you be drinking in? Would it be nutrients from the Word and what God says about you? Or would you take in what the world says about you? How can you stay rooted and grounded in Jesus?

Practice: Put on your favorite worship song. Sing because it’s good to make music to God. Think about the lyrics and recall the wonders of God’s hands. It should cause your heart to swell with joy and gladness!

Pray: Thank You Jesus for the gift of music and the powerful reminder of the great works of Your hand. You’re forever exalted! As I go about my day, let a song of praise repeat in my head so I don’t forget who You are and what You’ve done for me. I want to stay rooted in You, Jesus. Cause me to flourish like the palm trees and the cedar trees. Thank You that in Jesus, this is possible! Amen.