November 30

The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. - Psalms 92:12.

HERE we may observe how the righteous shall flourish. The image by which this is set forth is sometimes taken from human life. We read in the family of God of little children, young men, and fathers. We read of our coming to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Sometimes it is taken from animal life; it is said that those “upon whom the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings shall go forth like calves of the stall.” Sometimes the image is taken from vegetable life. “They shall grow as the vine; they shall revive as the corn;” “they shall spring up as willows by the water-courses;” and as it is here, they “shall flourish like the palm-tree”; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

It is unnecessary to inquire why the palm-tree and the cedar are selected. It is sufficient to know that these trees are beautiful in their growth and form, and very fruitful, and both of them are evergreens: the cedar gives strong and sweetly scented timber; and in addition to this the palm-tree yields an abundance of fruit (dates); sometimes as much as a hundred-weight is found upon one tree. Let us just notice this in contrast with a preceding verse of the Psalm, “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.” They flourish as “the grass which to-day is and to-morrow is cast into the fire.” But the righteous flourish as “cedars and palm trees.”

We have the same contrast in another Psalm, and in reference to another image: “The man,” says David, “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in whose law he doth meditate day and night, is like a tree planted by rivers of water. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand.” But the grand thing to be derived from this image is this, that there is a real and active progressiveness in religion; that though the Christian’s principles and faculties at present are all imperfect, yet they are growing and shall advance to maturity.

This progressiveness is to be considered as a Christian’s duty, desire, and privilege. It is his duty; therefore it is often enjoined upon him, “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, etc. It is his desire, therefore, “forgetting the things that are behind, he is reaching forth to the things that are before.” Therefore his prayer, “Strengthen that which thou hast wrought for us;” “perfect the work which concerneth us;” “forsake not the work of thy hands.” It is his privilege, and therefore it is provided for him. For “it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, and from this fulness we have received, and grace for grace.”

Therefore it is said, “The righteous shall hold on his way.” “The Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”