Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 52

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 52 David says that wicked tongues devise mischief and trust in riches—Saints trust in mercy of God forever.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.
1 WHY boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy ^atongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness^a. Selah.	3^a lying rather than to speak righteousness Doeg was a not only a bearer of tales but he would convey them falsely. The way that Doeg told the tale of David comeing to Ahimelech actually caused Saul to think of Ahimelech as a traitor and lead to the slaying of Ahimelech's house and town in an unjust cause which slaying was also carried out by Doeg. He is like the one who tells tales of circumstance in a fashion to who own benefit, deceitfully telling only parts of the story and falsely in order to convey it his way rather than the way of the real truth of the matter. Many in life are but as Doeg. They tell and repeat only that which sets themselves in the best light at others expense. They raise themselves up by bearing tales of others which tear them down, and though those tales are but half truths and lies the bearer of them thinks to gain by his conveyed devilish and deceitful 'information'. 'Doeg' would be a good name and term to label any such 'talebear' as being, they are a 'Doeg'.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and ^apluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall ^alaugh at him: 7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8 But I am like a ^agreen olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.