God’s Love Outlasts The Wicked (Psalm 52)

Understand Psalm 52

Psalm 52 recalls one of the most evil men in the Bible: Doeg, the Edomite, who informed King Saul that David, the Lord’s anointed, was taking refuge in the house of Ahimelech, the priest (1 Sam 21:1-10).[1] Doeg was a prideful schemer who weaponized his words. So, David writes this maskil as a wisdom psalm declaring that Yahweh’s love outlasts the boastful wicked. We too must draw upon such wisdom when others seek to tear us down.[2]

The Wicked Speak Lies from Boastful Hearts (vv. 1-4)

The wicked man is characterized by his razor-sharp speech. He boasts of evil (Ps 52:1a), works deceit (v. 2b), lies habitually (v. 3b), and loves the words which devour (v. 4a). He is summed up by his most obnoxious organ: “O deceitful tongue” (v. 4b). Yet all this rises from a heart which loves evil more than good (v. 3a; Matt 12:34). For the con artist plots destruction within his soul (v. 2a). He trusts only in himself and considers flesh his strength (Jer 17:5-6). His boasting is not with pompous show, but smug self-satisfaction. Yet Doeg reveals his love by what he says. And his words devour lives (1 Sam 22:6-19). For this reason, David sarcastically calls him, “Mr. Big Shot,” to belittle his foolish pride (Ps 52:1a). By contrast with the mightiest of men, the steadfast love of Almighty God will last forever (v. 1b).

As Doeg’s words brought death to 85 priests of Nob with all their families, so also wicked people in our world today take pleasure in destruction (Jas 3:5-10). When we are afflicted by the proud and powerful, we must turn to David’s wisdom: “The steadfast love of God endures all the day.” For wicked words arise from boastful hearts, but God still loves us no matter what is said. God never changes in his character. He is not swayed by lies. His love outlasts the boastful. So, compare the might of man with the God in whom we trust.

God Judges Both the Heart and Tongue (v. 5)

At the climax of Psalm 52, David warns Doeg about the coming wrath of God. The wicked man thinks he has secured his place through lying speech, but God will be his Judge. As David claims, “But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah” (v. 5). Such powerful words depict the holy violence of a righteous God: “bring down, snatch up, sweep away, uproot.” The Lord can demolish cities and scatter the ashes to the wind. He can force the wicked from their dwelling places and rip them out by the root (1:4-5). Sinners have no place to hide from a holy God. And if God’s love for his own people is everlasting, then so too is the destruction he will bring on those who hate him. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31).

We trust the Lord to judge between the righteous and the wicked (Ps 1:6). Yet far too often, God’s people find ourselves amidst the sinners who face God’s wrath (Jer 11:16, 19). We can be boastful in our hearts and wicked in our speech. We trust too heavily in ourselves and tear down others. So, we must see and fear the Lord who has the right to break us down forever. He can uproot us from our lives at any time, but by his grace preserves us. He calls us to repentance and to humbled hearts (Deut 10:12, 20-21). For God the Judge has made the full and final sacrifice to pay our debt for sin. He sent his Son to take the holy wrath which we deserved. And with our eternal judgment paid, nothing and no one will separate us from his eternal love (Rom 8:38-39). Therefore, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Ps 111:10).

The Righteous Speak Truth from Grateful Hearts (vv. 6-9)

Psalm 52 closes with the triumph of the righteous: “The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, ‘See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!’” (vv. 6-7). The righteous see Almighty God and wisely fear him. They taunt the wicked for taking refuge in himself, his riches, and his God-replacements (2:4; 37:13; 59:8). For like Doeg, no flesh can save him. Everything he plotted for prosperity actually leads to his destruction. In the biblical record, he is no longer even alive when David takes the throne.

By contrast, David claims, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly” (52:8-9; 1:1-3; Jer 17:7-8). Olive trees are strong and robust. A healthy tree produces as much as six gallons of oil per year and the olives can be harvested for food. Olive trees can weather storms and droughts and fires, then grow back green and full.[3] So, David pictures himself as that blessed tree planted by the living waters of God’s Word and thriving in the house of God (Ps 1:1-3). He declares what the wicked man could not: “I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” And his heart is eternally grateful for who God is and everything he has done. Therefore, David resolves to wait upon the Lord whose good name, Yahweh, depicts his glory and whose unchanging presence brings comfort to his people (Exod 34:5-7). The righteous speak such truths from grateful hearts. For instead of boasting in ourselves, we boast in God. Instead of weaponizing words, we sing exalted praises “in the presence of the godly.” Our fear of God turns fear of man into joyful songs of praise.

Counsel Psalm 52

Our counselees must be assured of the difference between the righteous and the wicked when others speak evil and seek their harm. Their suffering is often compounded by unhealthy fear of man. So, we must help them see and fear the God who judges both heart and tongue. This will convict them to be humbled in their own hearts and assure them that God will humble their oppressors. Then, as we nurture their hearts to gratitude, we can thank the Lord together and wait upon the goodness of his name.

Projects for Growth (Psalm 52)

1. Read the historical account in 1 Samuel 21-22. Describe the character of Doeg, the Edomite and compare him to the righteous man in Psalm 52.
2. Do you ever feel assailed by the words of evil-speakers? What does Psalm 52 tell you about their hearts? How does God’s judgment assure their outcome?
3. Do you ever struggle with the fear of prideful, powerful people? Compare the mightiest of men with the Almighty God who made you:

4. What does it mean to wait for the name of Yahweh (v. 9)? What does his holy name signify about his person and his work? How does it reveal his covenant-keeping promises to David and to present-day believers?
5. Research and draw a picture of a luxuriant olive tree with branches full of fruit. How does such a prolific and prosperous plant depict the characteristics of the godly (see Ps 1:1-3; Hos 14:6)?
   • Strong and long-lasting
   • Rooted deeply in the goodness of God
   • Able to endure hardships
   • Fruitful and productive
   • Eternally assured of God’s comforting presence
6. Sing the lyrics of “O Mighty Man, Why Wilt Thou Boast?” (Waltham) or listen to Psalm 52 set to music.

Pray Psalm 52

1. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast lovingkindness (vv. 1b, 8b).
2. Grant me a grateful heart and not a boastful one (vv. 1, 9).
3. Guard my words from being used as weapons (vv. 2, 4).
4. Help me not to trust in riches more than you (vv. 7-8).
5. Let my hope in you be witnessed by everyone around me (v. 9).

[1] Psalm 52 fits within the historical account of Saul pursuing David.

Psalm 52 recounts the slaughter of Doeg (1 Sam 21-22), Psalm 53 recalls Nabal, the fool (1 Sam 25), Psalm 54 recounts how the Ziphites twice gave up David to King Saul (1 Sam 23:19; 26:1), Psalm 56 describes David’s flight to Philistia (1 Sam 21:10-15; see 27:1-12), Psalm 57 tells of when he twice hid from Saul in a cave (1 Sam 22:1; 24:1-3), and Psalm 59 when Saul sent men to kill David in his own house (1 Sam 19:11).

[2] The postscript indicates Psalm 52 should be sung “according to Mahalath.” The Jews in Alexandria could only transliterate this Hebrew word which they could no longer understand. It is certainly a musical term, expressed in worship, but could refer to either the tune, the instrument, or the choreographed dance.

[3] Nob, the location of the tabernacle when Doeg slaughtered the priests, was on the northern summit of the Mount of Olives. So too, Jesus would one day find refuge in his Father as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane at the base of the mountain (Matt 26:36).