Psalms 52

David reproveth the insolency of the wicked. Doeg and his treacherous perfidiousness; denounceth on him the judgements of God, whereby the Church shall have cause to fear God, and to deride Doeg: he chears up himself, and rejoiceth through Faith, in Gods constant goodness.

1. An instruction of David: [see Psalm.32.on v.1.] for the chief song-master; (Se Psalm 4.on verse 1.)

2. When Doeg the Edomite, [One of Esau, (otherwise called Elam, Gen.25.30.) his posterity, or having at leastwise lived so long among them, (that) as some conceive) he got this name thence. Heb. Adomite; as 1 Sam.22.9. also Deut.23.7.1. King.11.17.&c.] was come, and had made known to Saul, and told him: David is come to the house of Achimelech. [The Priests, for to conspire with him against thee, as Doeg did falsely construe it. See 1 Sam.22.13.]

3. What boastest thou thy self in the evil, [That thou hast brought on me and on Gods Priests at Nob. See 1 Sam.22.v.18,19.] O thou mighty [for he was in great repute with Saul, and one of his chiefest heardsmen and officers, 1 Sam.21.7. and 22.9. this made him proud and insolent verse 9.] Gods kindness (endures yet) all the day. [over all his, and my self also, so that thy boasting is in vain, of having already or utterly subdued me.]

4. Thy tongue thinketh all manner of mischief, [Heb. Mischieves or miseries, i.e. thou utterest speakest of nothing, but of the mischief trouble and destruction which thou hast devised and plotted aforehead against the godly] like to a whetted razor practising deceit. [which instead of cutting or shaving the hair, doth pass the skin or cut the throat, or it may be applied to Doeg himself, thus. O thou worker of deceit, as before, thou mighty one.]

5. Thou lovest the evil better than the good: the lies then to speak righteousness. Sela. [See Psa.3.on ver.3.]

6. Thou lovest all words of swallowing [Tending to swallow and gobble up all] (and) a tongue of deceit. [i.e. a deceitful tongue.]

7. God shall likewise [Such sins, such punishments] break thee down [as men do raze and break down buildings (houses, altars, &c.)] forever; He shall snatch thee away, [or apprehend, as one doth hastily take off a coal of fire with the tongs, Isa.30.14.] and pluck thee out of the tents, [i.e. out of thine habitation] yea he shall root thee out, out of the Land of the Living. [out of this world, out of this life. See Psa.27.on v.13.] Sela.

8. And the righteous shall see it, and fear; [As being amazed to see this just judgement of God upon thee, and thereby strengthened to stand in awe and fear of him] and they shall laugh over him, [holily rejoicing to see Gods just punishment on such a besotted and bitter Enemy of God and all the godly, and deriding the vain confidence of Doeg] (saying.)

9. Loe the man that put not God for his strength, but trusted in the multitude [Or greatness] of his riches: he was grown strong through his endamaging. [Heb. His damage, mischief, or misery, cumber, sorrow, viz. Such as he did trouble and vex the Godly withal as above v.4.]

10. But I shall be as a green Olive-tree in Gods house [Compare Psa.92.v.13,14. Jerem.11.v.16.] I trust in Gods goodness forever and ever.

11. I shall praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: [i.e. because thou shalt have done it, to wit, punished this boasting Enemy, and preserved me to enjoy the promised Kingdom, which David by the prophetical spirit, asserts with as much confidence, as if it had been brought to pass already] and I will wait upon thy name, [i.e. thy self, the truth and fulfilling of thy promises, whereby thou shewest indeed to be the same as thou describeth thyself in thy word, and art called by thy Name. Compare Psa.54.3,8. And 56.5.11.] for he [viz. Thy name] is good, [i.e. thou art kind and comfortable, or it is good, viz. To praise thee, or to wait upon thy name. Compare Psa.92.2.] before [i.e. here, before the eyes, or in presence of, over against] thy Favourites. [see Psa.4.on v.4.]