A Palm in the Courtyard

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. Ps. 92:12-13

The palm tree grows slowly, but steadily, from century to century. It is not influenced by seasons which affects other trees. It flourishes whether it has a lot of rain or whether it gets little. It tends to grow straight even if weights are tied to it. The winds do not make it grow crooked. The palm tree will continue to produce fruit even when very old.

It was a custom in many of the societies of ancient times to plant palm trees in important places. Because they were considered beautiful and the fact that they lived so long they were planted in most palaces and in the courtyards of temples. Solomon even covered the walls of the Holy of Holies with carved palm trees.

In Psalm 92:12-13, we read, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” The psalmist is saying that those who follow God will be like the palm tree. They will grow and be fruitful in the courtyard of God.

(Mark McWhorter , Copyright 2002, Published by The Old Paths Bible School)