February 23, 2023 at 1:43 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Tags: 1 Samuel 21, 1 Samuel 22, commentary on Psalms, Doeg, King Saul, power of speech, Psalm 52, sarcasm in the Bible, Sunday School lessons on Psalms
The story behind Psalm 52 starts in I Samuel 21, featuring an ominous mention of a man named Doeg, and continues in I Samuel 22. Doeg was an Edomite, descended from Esau. The Edomites were still at odds with the descendants of Jacob all these centuries later.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord. 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. 20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord’s priests. 22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house. 23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
I Samuel 22:17-23
Doeg and Saul plotted wicked plots and schemed wicked schemes. David often found himself in dire straits as he tried to serve the Lord with integrity while being attacked by those who had no such qualms about their lack of integrity.
This is the background of Psalm 52, and it is a tough psalm to classify. It contains a lament, thanksgiving, and some imprecatory elements. One commentator called it a psalm of trust. It causes us to think about how the faithful respond to the arrogance and scheming of the wicked.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Psalm 52:1
This is an example of Biblical sarcasm. Doeg and Saul were more mighty in boasting than they were in what really counted.
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psalm 52:2
Contrary to the popular proverb, words can do more damage than sticks and stones. Gossip, slander, schemes, deceit, flattery, false teaching, and the alienation of beneficial companionship are just some of the forms of mischief that can result from an evil tongue.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Psalm 52:3-4
The next verse contains jussive verbs, but in an optative sense: threats disguised as wishes.
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
Psalm 52:5
These men who were mighty in mischief would be destroyed like a torn-down building, and plucked out like coal from a fire. They would be torn out of the arms of their families and made homeless without tents. They would be uprooted like trees.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Psalm 52:6
This is the laughter of joy AND relief that happens when a seemingly formidable enemy is exposed as puny.
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Psalm 52:7
We must not trust in our own strength and resources. We should ask the Holy Spirit to make us weak when we are tempted to practice wickedness, so that it is quickly exposed and forsaken.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
Psalm 52:8
Contrast the uprooted tree of Verse 5 with this green olive tree, capable of producing six gallons of oil per year, and which may be fruitful for hundreds of years.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Psalm 52:9 (emphasis added)
We want others to notice our dependence on God.
The Deep End 
Mighty in Mischief
February 23, 2023 at 1:43 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: 1 Samuel 21, 1 Samuel 22, commentary on Psalms, Doeg, King Saul, power of speech, Psalm 52, sarcasm in the Bible, Sunday School lessons on Psalms
The story behind Psalm 52 starts in I Samuel 21, featuring an ominous mention of a man named Doeg, and continues in I Samuel 22. Doeg was an Edomite, descended from Esau. The Edomites were still at odds with the descendants of Jacob all these centuries later.
I Samuel 22:17-23
Doeg and Saul plotted wicked plots and schemed wicked schemes. David often found himself in dire straits as he tried to serve the Lord with integrity while being attacked by those who had no such qualms about their lack of integrity.
This is the background of Psalm 52, and it is a tough psalm to classify. It contains a lament, thanksgiving, and some imprecatory elements. One commentator called it a psalm of trust. It causes us to think about how the faithful respond to the arrogance and scheming of the wicked.
Psalm 52:1
This is an example of Biblical sarcasm. Doeg and Saul were more mighty in boasting than they were in what really counted.
Psalm 52:2
Contrary to the popular proverb, words can do more damage than sticks and stones. Gossip, slander, schemes, deceit, flattery, false teaching, and the alienation of beneficial companionship are just some of the forms of mischief that can result from an evil tongue.
Psalm 52:3-4
The next verse contains jussive verbs, but in an optative sense: threats disguised as wishes.
Psalm 52:5
These men who were mighty in mischief would be destroyed like a torn-down building, and plucked out like coal from a fire. They would be torn out of the arms of their families and made homeless without tents. They would be uprooted like trees.
Psalm 52:6
This is the laughter of joy AND relief that happens when a seemingly formidable enemy is exposed as puny.
Psalm 52:7
We must not trust in our own strength and resources. We should ask the Holy Spirit to make us weak when we are tempted to practice wickedness, so that it is quickly exposed and forsaken.
Psalm 52:8
Contrast the uprooted tree of Verse 5 with this green olive tree, capable of producing six gallons of oil per year, and which may be fruitful for hundreds of years.
Psalm 52:9 (emphasis added)
We want others to notice our dependence on God.