Log inSign up

Psalm 92 · a question people ask

Who is "anointed with fresh oil" (92:10)? Is this a king?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say. The one who says I isn't named, and the title, "A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day" (92:1), names no one. "But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil" (92:10). Anointed here isn't mashach, the verb Strong's gives as "to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint", or mashiach, the word of "his Anointed" (Psalm 2:2). It is balal (tap anointed), which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "mingle, mix, confuse, confound". Leviticus has both verbs in one verse: "unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil" (Leviticus 2:4), where mixed is balal and anointed is mashach. Fresh is ra'anan, the word the WEB gives as green in 92:14 (tap green). The psalm doesn't say what the oil means, and these notes don't add it.

The verses

“A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, Most High,”
Psalm 92:1 · World English Bible
“But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil.”
Psalm 92:10 · World English Bible
“The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying,”
Psalm 2:2 · World English Bible
““‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.”
Leviticus 2:4 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 92

Psalm 92: Fruit in old age

In Psalm 92 the wicked "spring up as the grass" (92:7) and the righteous "flourish like the palm tree" (92:12) with one Hebrew verb, parach. What differs is what lasts: the wicked "will be destroyed forever" (92:7), and the righteous "will still produce fruit in old age" (92:14).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 92 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 92

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions