The holy oil. We have here— I. A VERY BLESSED THING SPOKEN OF . Under this emblem the Holy Spirit is set forth ( Luke 4:18 ). 1 . The holy oil told of was especially sacred. (See Exodus 30:33 ; Psalms 89:20 .) 2 . It enobled those on whom it was poured. Constituting them prophets, princes, priests. 3 . It invigorated and empowered for high service. This is especially true of the Holy Spirit ( Luke 24:49 ). 4 . It was a bond of union. ( Psalms... read more
The stability of human good lies with God. God exalts the horn. God anoints with oil. "The horns in animals, where the Creator alone planted them, were their weapons of defence; and man, who lays all nature under tribute to enrich his stores of images and figures, very early made it synonymous with power, and then for what that will always confer upon the possessor. To exalt the horn means to advance in power, honour, and dominion." The unicorn of Scripture is, in all probability, the wild... read more
Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies (comp. Psalms 54:7 ; Psalms 59:10 ). The "desire" is probably that expressed in Psalms 91:13 . And mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. This is an unusual phrase, but sufficiently intelligible. Triumph over enemies is perceived both by the eye and by the ear. read more
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. To an Oriental the palm is the queen of trees. "Of all vegetable forms," says Humboldt, "the palm is that to which the prize of beauty has been assigned by the concurrent voice of nations in all ages". Its stately growth, and graceful form, its perpetual verdure, its lovely and luxuriant fruit, together with its manifold uses (Strabo, 16.1, § 14), give it precedence over all other vegetable growths in the eyes that are accustomed to rest upon... read more
Like the palm tree. So do the righteous flourish. The parallels are many and striking. I. FOR UPRIGHTNESS . The palm tree rears itself straight up into the air, erect, stately, strong. True image of the really righteous. Crooked ways are not his. II. FOR USEFULNESS . "The extensive importance of this tree is one of the most curious subjects to which attention can be directed. A considerable part of the inhabitants of Egypt, Arabia, and Persia subsist almost entirely upon... read more
Grace and strength characterizing the righteous. Palm trees are types of grace. Cedar trees are types of strength. The palm gracefully rises from the plain, and bears a beautiful crown of fruits and leaves. The cedar strikes its roots wide and deep into the everlasting hills, and securely spreads forth its great branches through ages of winters. Perhaps trees were actually planted in the courts of the temple, as they are in the courts of mosques nowadays; but the characteristic forms... read more
But my horn shalt thou exalt - The horn is a symbol of strength or power (see the notes at Psalms 18:2); and the meaning here is, that, while the wicked would be cut off, he would be prospered; that is, he had such confidence that he was the friend of God, that he believed God would honor him and exalt him. The psalmist here speaks of himself not so much with reference to his own particular case, but as the representative of the righteous. The idea is, that God will thus exalt “a righteous... read more
Mine eye also shall see my desire - That is, I shall be permitted to see the destruction of my foes; I shall be gratified with seeing them overthrown. On the sentiment here expressed, see Psalms 54:7, note; Psalms 59:10, note.On mine enemies - The word used here - שׁור shûr - occurs nowhere else. It means, properly, a lier-in-wait; one who “watches;” one who is in ambush; and refers to persons who “watched” his conduct; who “watched” for his ruin.And mine ears ... - literally, “Of those rising... read more
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree - That is, the beauty, the erectness, the stateliness, the growth of the palm-tree - all this is an emblem of the condition, the prosperity, the happiness of a righteous man. The wicked shall be cut down; but the righteous shall flourish. This image - the comparison of a righteous man to a flourishing, majestic, green, and beautiful tree - is not uncommon in the Scriptures. See the notes at Psalms 1:3; compare Jeremiah 17:8. On the “palm-tree,”... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 92:10
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn; rather, of a wild ox. The Hebrew, like the Assyrian, reym, is certainly a species of wild cattle, whether the aurochs, or the bison, or the buffalo, may be doubted. The psalmist speaks in the name of Israel, or of God's faithful ones generally, and confidently predicts their exaltation to glory and honour simultaneously with the destruction of God's enemies. I shall be anointed with fresh oil . Oil was supposed to give vigour to... read more