FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 52
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for meditation. To focus each verse we have also added a subheading
summary as a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Psalm
52
For
the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite
had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of
Ahimelek.”
[Preliminary
Comments: For the historical context see 1 Sam 21:7-22:6-23).
While David, on the run from Saul, had gone to Ahimelek
the priest for help. While he was there, Saul's chief shepherd,
Doeg, happened to be there and overheard all that had gone on
and reported it back to Saul. As a result Saul had Ahimelek killed
and the other priests killed at the hand of Doeg. We assume this
psalm was written by David when he heard what had happened. We
see David exposing Doeg for what he is, a boaster, a lover of
evil a bad-speaker, [v.1-4] but he is one who will be judged by
God [v.5-7]. David by comparison feels secure in the Lord.[v.8,9]
v.1-4
Doeg's evil speaking and wrong heart
v.1
Why
do you boast of evil , you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of
God?
v.2 You
who practice deceit ,
your tongue plots destruction
;
it is like a sharpened razor.
v.3 You
love evil rather than good ,
falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
v.4 You
love every harmful word ,
you deceitful tongue!
v.5-7
Doeg will be judged by God
v.5
Surely
God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you
up and pluck you from your tent;
he will uproot you
from the land of the living.
v.6 The
righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at you, saying,
v.7
“Here
now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!”
v.8,9
David contrasts himself, in relationship with God
v.8
But
I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever.
v.9 For
what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
[Additional
Thoughts: The words and actions of Doeg reveal and evil
man but he will be dealt with by God. Although he had plotted
David's downfall on Saul's behalf, David is secure in his relationships
with the Lord.]
Continue
to Psa 53