Palm-Tree And Lebanon Cedar And Olive Tree?

[Lil Red]

+JMJ+
so, in today's OOR, Psalm 92, it says:

"The just will flourish like the palm-tree
and grow like a Lebanon cedar."

then yesterday, Psalm 52, it said:

"But I am like a growing olive tree
in the house of God."

could you explain these analogies? thanks.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Lil Red' date='07 January 2010 - 12:03 PM' timestamp='1262883812' post='2031785']
+JMJ+
so, in today's OOR, Psalm 92, it says:

"The just will flourish like the palm-tree
and grow like a Lebanon cedar."

then yesterday, Psalm 52, it said:

"But I am like a growing olive tree
in the house of God."

could you explain these analogies? thanks.
[/quote]

It would be difficult to know the exact meaning of the palm-tree, but it probably has something to do with the association the Israelites may made between the palm tree and something like peace or victory. The meaning of cedar is a bit clearer; the "cedars of Lebanon" were plentiful and they were heavily used in the construction of the Temple of Solomon (1 Kings 5-6). The NAB commentary mentions that "the just are likened to trees growing in the sacred precincts of the temple, which is often seen as the source of life and fertility because of God's presence." This makes sense, since palm trees were also an image associated with the Temple (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35). The whole inside of the Temple was actually a microcosm of the world.

As for the olive tree, it is also featured in the Temple (1 Kings 6:23, 31-33), but the Temple was built by Solomon and Psalm 52 was written by David. He could not have been referencing the Temple of Solomon. Notice this psalm says "House of God" not "courts of God" (which would imply a royal place, such as a Temple).

In the literal sense, these psalms refer to plants (or images of plants) in God's presence. References to the Temple may have had the purpose of referencing the sacredness and inviolability of God, the strength and majesty of the Temple in its adornments, etc. I think that would be secondary to the spiritual meaning of being in God's presence, that those who are with God and dwell in His presence (Psalm 92 is a Sabbath psalm for meditating on being in God's presence, Psalm 52 points out how strength of the righteous who dwell in God's presence over the wickedness of sinners) derive their virtue from God, whom they worship in His dwelling.

The point of these lines from the Psalms is to indicate that, as CCC 27 states, our dignity comes from our call to communion with God.. The only way for us to fulfill our purpose, to be righteous, wise, etc., to live a meaningful life, is to dwell with God.

I hope that helps.

God bless,

Micah