August 9, 2017 (Wednesday)
In 1 Samuel 21, we are told about David’s flight from Saul, who threatened to kill him. He went to Nob, where the Tabernacle was located, and asked Ahimelech, the high priest, for help. He was given holy bread and the sword of Goliath and fled further to Gath. A man named Doeg witnessed the scene, and reported it to Saul, who then ordered the deaths of the priests. Eighty-five priests were killed, but one escaped and reported the deaths to David. “He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep” (1 Samuel 22:22).This Psalm is thought by some scholars to be written against the backdrop of that scene. Other scholars believe it to be a separate event that inspired the writing of this psalm.
Psalm 52
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Futility of Boastful Wickedness.
For the choir director. A [a]Maskil of David, [b]when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”
I. THE UNSCRUPULOUS EVIL-DOER (1-5)
1. His character (1-4)
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? (1)
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.
Your tongue devises destruction, (2)
Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.
You love evil more than good,
Falsehood more than speaking what is right. [c]Selah. (3)
You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue. (4)
2. His fate (5)
[d]But God will break you down forever;
He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.(5)
II. THE RIGHTEOUS WITNESS THE FALL OF THE EVIL-DOER (6)
1. The righteous sees the fall
The righteous will see and fear,
2. The righteous rejoice over his fall
And will laugh at him, saying, (6)
“Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches
And was strong in [e]his evil desire.” (7)
III. THE PSALMIST IS BLESSED (8-9)
1. He is blessed (8a)
But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; (8a)
2. He trusts in God’s unfailing love (8b)
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. (8b)
3. He gives thanks to God (9)
I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones. (9)
Footnotes:
Psalm 52:1 Possibly Contemplative, or Didactic, or Skillful Psalm
Psalm 52:1 1 Sam 22:9
Psalm 52:3 Selah may mean: Pause, Crescendo or Musical interlude
Psalm 52:5 Or Also
Psalm 52:7 Or his destruction
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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