Psalm 52
The Trust of the Wicked and the Righteous
The Trust of the Wicked and the Righteous
Psalm 52. From the issue of Israel’s repentance, we now transition back into the circumstances of the great tribulation, in which the remnant are persecuted. This Psalm begins a series that concludes with Israel’s victory in Psalm 60, after which there is another transition back into the persecution. This is a Psalm of David, and the occasion was “when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David came to the house of Ahimelech”. These events took place in 1 Sam. 22:6-23. When David was told what Doeg had done, he was distraught at the treachery of this wicked Edomite in the land, as well as the spite and cruelty of Saul! Prophetically, these enemies of David are a type of Antichrist, the lawless one, who will persecute and (in some cases) kill the faithful Jewish Remnant during the great tribulation.
PSALM 52
To the chief Musician: an instruction. Of David; when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David came to the house of Ahimelech.
1 Why boastest thou thyself in evil, thou mighty man? The loving-kindness of GOD abideth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischievous things, like a sharp razor, practising deceit.
3 Thou hast loved evil rather than good, lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou hast loved all devouring words, O deceitful tongue!
vv.1-4 The Boastful Wicked. The remnant exclaim about the treacherous character of the wicked, called here “the mighty man”. Prophetically, this speaks of the Antichrist, who will exalt himself against God and against God’s people. Nevertheless, the loving-kindness of God abides continually, and this is a witness that the career of the wicked cannot continue forever. Special emphasis is put on the lying and deceptive tongue of Antichrist. This is corroborated by Paul in 2 Thess. 2, where he speaks about a “strong delusion”. Historically, Doeg didn’t tell Saul a lie, he actually told Saul the truth; that David had been there. But Doeg lied to David by his actions.
5 GOD shall likewise destroy thee for ever; he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy tent, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 Behold the man that made not God his strength, but put confidence in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his avarice.
vv.5-7 The End of the Wicked. The result of Doeg’s actions, in conjunction with the selfish spite of Saul, resulted in the death of eighty-five priests. The remnant are confident that God will destroy the wicked forever, rooting them out of the land of the living. Christ will do this with Antichrist when He appears (2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19:20). The righteous will stand by and see the downfall of the wicked, and remark that this is the fitting end of a man who, rather than make God his strength, puts confidence in the abundance of his riches.
8 But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I will confide in the loving-kindness 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, before thy godly ones [‘chasidim’, or holy ones], for it is good.
vv.8-9 The Confidence of the Remnant. In contrast to the confidence of the wicked in their riches, the remnant are confident in the loving-kindness of God. This is the character of God, and therefore it is “for ever and ever”. Like a green olive tree (life and health) in the house of God, the righteous will abide while the wicked are judged. They look forward to the time when they will praise the Lord because He has accomplished righteous judgment. But for now, they wait on His name, dwelling in company with the “holy ones”, the saints of God, for “it is good”.