Psalms 92:7

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 92:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Psalms 92:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 92

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7When the wicked spring as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the wicked spring as the grass - When they grow up as plants do; when they seem to flourish and prosper. Compare Psalms 90:5-6; Psalms 37:2, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 37:38. The word “grass” here refers to the vegetable creation generally, embracing plants and flowers of all kinds. And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish - As plants and flowers do. They are like vigorous plants; not like the stunted and dry shrubs of the desert. It is that they shall be destroyed for ever - The meaning here is, not that the design of their being thus made to flourish is that they should be destroyed, or that they are made to flourish for that purpose, but that such “will be” the result. They will…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“92:7 Even when the ungodly seem to grow luxuriantly (73:3-5), they have no future (92:9; see 1:6; 90:5-6; Isa 40:6-8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wicked: Psa 37:1, Psa 37:2, Psa 37:35, Psa 37:38, Psa 90:5, Psa 90:6, Psa 103:15, Psa 103:16; Isa 37:27, Isa 40:6, Isa 40:7; Jam 1:10, Jam 1:11; Pe1 1:24 workers: Psa 73:12, Psa 73:18-20; Job 12:6, Job 21:7-12; Jer 12:1, Jer 12:2; Mal 3:15, Mal 4:1 it is that: Psa 37:35, Psa 37:36, Psa 37:38, Psa 73:18-20; Sa1 25:36-38; Pro 1:32; Luk 16:19-25 Psalms 92:8”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Upon closer examination the prosperity of the ungodly is only a semblance that lasts for a time. The infinitive construction in Psa 92:8 is continued in the historic tense, and it may also be rendered as historical. זאת היתה (Saadia: Arab. fânnh) is to be supplied in thought before להשּׁמדם, as in Job 27:14. What is spoken of is an historical occurrence which, in its beginning, course, and end, has been frequently repeated even down to the present day, and ever confirmed afresh. And thus, too, in time to come and once finally shall the ungodly succumb to a peremptory, decisive (עדי־עד) judgment of destruction. Jahve is מרום לעלם, by His nature and by His rule He is "a height for ever;"…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification