The Italian Memorandum

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree”

(Psalm 92:12)

Sometimes those older 19th century Biblical commentaries shed light on a passage that is difficult to surpass because of first-hand experience and beauty of expression. Such is the case with Dr. Thomson’s comments about Psalm 92:12—“The righteous will flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedars of Lebanon” (Barnes on the Old Testament, Vol. III (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, reprinted, 1968) 121-125:

“The palm grows slowly, but steadily, from century to century, uninfluenced by those alterations of the seasons which affect other trees. It does not rejoice overmuch in winter’s copious rain, nor does it droop under the drought and burning sun of summer. Neither heavy weights which men place upon its head, nor the importunate urgency of the wind, can sway it aside from perfect uprightness. There it stands, looking calmly down upon the world below, and patiently yielding its large clusters of golden fruit from generation to generation. [Re: the cedars of Lebanon] Beneath the giant arms of those old patriarchs of a hundred generations, there comes a solemn hush upon the soul as if by enchantment… But it is most impressive at night. Let us by all means arrange to sleep there. The universal silence is almost painful. The gay old towers of Lebanon, still as stone, stand all around, holding up the stars of heaven to look at you, and the trees gather like phantoms about you, and wink knowingly, or seem to, and whisper among themselves you know not what…The idea in the passage before us is, that the righteous will flourish like the most luxuriant and majestic trees of the forest…”

Brethren, let us flourish while we may! – Robert M. Housby