Psalm 92: 2-3, 13-16

This week’s responsorial psalm is from Psalm 92, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for God’s faithful deeds.

It praises the righteous, comparing them to a flourishing tree — a powerful image that connects directly to our readings for this Mass.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

The psalmist begins by declaring the goodness of giving thanks to God. Gratitude is a proper response to the blessings in our lives and an essential part of worship.

to sing praise to your name, Most High,

In ancient Jewish culture, names conveyed a person’s essence, character, and destiny. When the psalmist blesses God’s name, he praises not just God’s actions but his very nature — holiness, purity, and majesty.

The title Most High (El Elyōn) highlights God’s supreme authority and sovereignty. Its earliest biblical use appears in Genesis 14:18-20, where Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, blesses Abram.

to proclaim your kindness at dawn and your faithfulness throughout the night.

The psalmist calls for continuous worship, centering on God’s lovingkindness (hesed) and faithfulness (ěmûnâh), covenant terms that reflect God’s unwavering loyalty and steadfast love.

The mention of worship extending throughout the night likely reflects the ancient practice of prayer vigils at sacred sites. Individuals often held these vigils in petition for some favor from God or in thanksgiving for a blessing received.

The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. 

The rewards of righteousness are sketched using imagery from the natural world of the Near East.

The palm tree is a biblical symbol of righteousness, victory, and resilience (John 12:13, Revelation 7:9). Palm trees thrive in harsh conditions, signifying that the righteous remain steadfast even amid trials.

Cedars of Lebanon were known for their strength, longevity, and height (1 Kings 5:6). This imagery conveys that the just are deeply rooted in God’s presence, strong and unshaken.

They that are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

This metaphor suggests that proximity to God is what enables the righteous to flourish. This is likely a direct reference to the temple (“the house of the LORD”, “courts of our God”), where God’s presence dwells.

The temple was the center of Israelite worship, and being “planted” there suggests a life deeply rooted in ongoing devotion, participation in worship, and reliance on God’s sustaining presence. 

This imagery also reflects a broader spiritual truth: just as trees are planted by water, their life source, so the righteous are rooted in God’s presence, their true source of life.

They shall bear fruit even in old age; vigorous and sturdy shall they be, 

Unlike ordinary trees, which decline with age, the righteous continue to be fruitful throughout their lives. Their strength and endurance are a reflection of God’s sustaining power rather than human strength (see Isaiah 40:31).

As long as the righteous are faithful in their covenant commitment, they will be able to draw on the strength and life-giving forces of God’s presence.

declaring how just is the LORD, my rock, in whom there is no wrong.

Finally, the righteous not only flourish but also bear witness to God’s uprightness. The Hebrew term mishpāt (justice) is another covenant term, reminding us that God’s unwavering commitment to his covenant promises is the ultimate source of these blessings.

Referring to God as “my rock” highlights his unchanging strength and reliability, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 18:2.