Psalms52
English Standard Version
1To the . A of , when , the , and , has to the of . do you of , O ? The of endures the .
2Your , like a , you of .
3You than , and than what is .
4You that , O .
5But will break you ; he will and you your ; he will you the of the .
6The shall and , and shall him, saying,
7 the who would his , but in the of his and in his own !
8But I am like a in the of . I in the of and .
9I will you , you have it. I will for your , it is , in the of the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 52.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The enemies of the truth and the church described, Their destruction. (1–5). The righteous rejoice. (6–9).
vv1-5
Those that glory in sin, glory in their shame. The patience and forbearance of God are abused by sinners, to the hardening of their hearts in their wicked ways. But the enemies in vain boast in their mischief, while we have God's mercy to trust in. It will not save us from the guilt of lying, to be able to say, there was some truth in what we said, if we make it appear otherwise than it was. The more there is of craft and contrivance in any wickedness, the more there is of Satan in it. When good men die, they are transplanted from the land of the living on earth, to heaven, the garden of the Lord, where they shall take root for ever; but when wicked men die, they are rooted out, to perish for ever. The believer sees that God will destroy those who make not him their strength.
vv6-9
Those wretchedly deceive themselves, who think to support themselves in power and wealth without God. The wicked man trusted in the abundance of his riches; he thought his wickedness would help him to keep his wealth. Right or wrong, he would get what he could, and keep what he had, and ruin any one that stood in his way; this he thought would strengthen him; but see what it comes to! Those who by faith and love dwell in the house of God, shall be like green olive-trees there. And that we may be as green olive-trees, we must live a life of faith and holy confidence in God and his grace. It adds much to the beauty of our profession, and to fruitfulness in every grace, to be much in praising God; and we never can want matter for praise. His name alone can be our refuge and strong tower. It is very good for us to wait on that saving name; there is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits, when disturbed, and to keep us in the way of duty, when tempted to use any crooked courses for our relief, than to hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. None ever followed his guidance but it ended well.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מַשְׂכִּיל: instructive, i.e. a didactic poem
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
דֹּאֵג: Doeg, an Edomite
אֱדֹמִי: an Edomite, or descendants from (or inhabitants of) Edom
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲחִימֶלֶךְ: Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
Cross References
Psalms 52Doeg's 'devouring words' led directly to the slaughter of the priests under Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Identifies Doeg the Edomite, the 'mighty man' of mischief, at the tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The Lord called Israel 'a green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit.'
Supported by JFB
David's plea for deliverance from lying lips and a deceitful tongue matches this razor description.
Supported by John Calvin
The righteous rejoice when they see vengeance, echoing 'righteous also shall see, and fear... and laugh.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts trusting in riches (which leads to fall) with the righteous flourishing like a branch.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Exposes the folly of those who boast and trust in the abundance of their riches.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Describes the wicked mouth full of deceit, matching Doeg's behavior in the psalm's opening.
Supported by JFB
Sharp arrows and hot coals of juniper correspond to God's retaliation for a deceitful tongue.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul warns not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, directly contrasting verse 7.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The righteous flourish like palm and cedar trees planted in the house of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Praises God's name, because 'it is good' before His saints, matching the wording of verse 9.
Supported by JFB
The righteous see the destruction of the wicked and laugh them to scorn.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm, instead of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole