Psalms 52

Psalms 52:1-5

In this psalm, 1. David accosts and upbraids the wicked Dog, ver. 1—4. 2. He paffeth sinnered upon him, ver. 5. 3. He foretells the triumphs of the righteous in the execution of the sinner, ver. 6, 7. 4. He comforts himself in the mercy of God, and the assurance he had that he should yet praise him, ver. 8, 9.

¶ To the chief musician, Maechil, of psalm of David, when Dog the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahisus, 9. See, 10. 9. melech.

The title of this psalm informs us of the occasion on which it was composed, and an afflictive one it was: wherein, whilst Dog’s malicious and cruel wickedness should the object of just abhorrence, David’s disillusion, tho’ undesigned, which gave a handle for all the mischief, no doubt grieved him much, See 1 Sam. xxii. 22. So great a matter a little fire kindles; how careful then should we be of all our words!

1. David expeditates with Dog: Why boathest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? It was mean as wicked to fall on those who were unarmed, and whose protection should have been their protection from insult; but he not only executed the bloody command, but gloried in his wickedness. Note, Glorying in sin is the Summit of iniquity.

2. He professes his own confidence in God: The goodness of God endureth continually. Dog would as gladly have shed David’s

vid’s blood as Ahimdech’s; but a good God was his protector, and he defied the impotent malice of such a foe.

3. He lays fundry and heavy occultations against Doeg. The tongue devilish mischief; in design, crafty; in expression, artful; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully, that cuts the throat, instead of shaving the beard. Thou levyt roil more than good; thy wicked conduct shews the principle from whence it flowed, a heart apoftate from good, and rooted in evil; and lying rather than to speak righteousness; misrepresenting Ahimdech, and by a lying report procuring his death. Thou levyt all devouring words, delighting in the wickedness he committed, O thou deceitful tongue. Note, (1.) A lying and deceitful tongue is God’s abhorrence. (2.) A crafty wicked man is the strongest image of the devil.

4. His mightiness should be no preservative from ruin. God shall destroy thee for ever, whose arm can reach the most daring and exalted sinner, and whose judgments extend to eternity. He shall take thee away, by some sudden stroke, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place, of the tolerances; either his own trouble, or, more probably, God’s tabernacle, where he hypocritically paid his devotions; and rest thee out of the land of the living; cut off not only from communion with the church of God on earth, but consigned to that death which is the wages of sin, the eternal death of body and soul in hell. Note, This is the end of a lying tongue.

5. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him. 7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength: but trufled in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. 8. But I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9. I will prude thee for ever, because thou hast done it; and I will wait on thy name, for it is good before thy saints.

Psalms 52:6-9

Short is the triumphing of the wicked, and his fall is the joy of God’s saints.

1. They are here described mocking at his calamity. The righteous shall see it, but it shall quickly be accomplished, and fear, with filial and reverential awe before the judgments of a holy God, and he themselves thereby deterred from offending; and shall laugh at him; not that they take pleasure in his misery, but that God is glorified, and his mischievous designs disappointed. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trufled in the abundance of his riches, which is to change a rock for a reek. How great the folly! but, worse, he strengthened himself in his wickedness; as if daring impiety would be his protection from punishment. Note, They who make gold their confidence, and harden themselves in their wicked ways, will find a lie in their right hand, and their end eternal desolation.

2. David expresses his own confidence in God. I am, or rather, I shall be, like a green olive-tree in the house of God. Tho’ thou an exile, he doubted not his return, and fixed abode in the sanctuary; rooted as an olive-tree, ever green and flourishing, and bearing the precious fruits of peace and joy. I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever: his mercy is unchangeable, therefore they who trust in it shall never be moved. I trust prays thee for ever, because thou hast done it; avenged the innocent blood. Doeg shed, and restored him from his present banishment; neither of which indeed were yet performed; but what faith comprehends, is as if already done, and calls for the grateful thanksgiving: and I will wait on thy name, in patient hope of what is promised; or in thy house and ordinances, when brought again to the courts of the sanctuary; for it is good before thy saints: the name of God is good and grateful to them; his service and ordinances pleasing; and patient hope approved by long and happy experience to be the sure way to everlasting bliss.