Psalm 52

The Psalms begin by affirming, “The LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6).  Psalm 52 is a song of faith, trusting God in that very issue.  God shall likewise destroy you forever, David says to the wicked.  Of himself he says, I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.  The distinction is clear in what is a true “black and white” matter.  In that sense this Psalm is not unusual as other hymns do the same.

What is uniquely valuable for God’s people in this Psalm is the context.  The title, of course, ties it to the story of King Saul’s massacre of the priests when Doeg the Edomite reported seeing the renegade David speaking with the priest Ahimelech (1 Sam. 22:6-23).  Not only did Doeg inform the king; when the king’s soldiers would not kill the priests he called on Doeg to do it.  He was more than willing.

The title is, of course, not part of the inspired text.  It is likely true.  But in any case it simply provides us with a picture to attach to David’s words.  The picture is of an evil man, who is mighty (i.e. has great strength as Doeg did, being one of Saul’s administrators), and who has the king’s ear.  It’s the wicked man’s words that most occupy David’s attention (v2-4), though in the end David understands what we should understand: the love of money is the root of all evil (v7). 

And the true bottom line is trust.  The evil man does not make God his strength while the saints will wait on Your name.  David waited for several years, running from Saul, before he experienced “the goodness of God” (v1) and “the mercy of God” (v8) which are forever.  The wicked seemed to gain an initial victory; what a display of the power of wickedness was the death of 85 priests that day.  But in the end victory was with David.

While this Psalm is not Messianic it still reminds us of our Lord Jesus Christ.  As He Himself said in the Garden of Gethsemane, “this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53).  But three days later the risen Lord would say, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26). 

And what then can we say for ourselves, who by faith are trusting Christ?  What did He say of us?  If we would follow Him we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily!  We cannot follow Him without a life that is headed to Jerusalem, to the cross.  In other words, in this world it is to be expected that we will encounter mighty evil people, those who brag about their evil intentions and deeds, those who trust in their wealth and not in God.  May the words of our hearts encourage us as we trust God:

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?

The goodness of God endures continually.