For the director of music. A maskil [probably a literary or musical term] of David. When Doeg [cf. 1 Sam. 22:17-23; this man serves as a symbol of all who do evil] the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”




A. The Folly of Evil
52:1 [note how evil boasts of its actions…] Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero [or mighty man]? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

52:2 You who practice deceit [a con artist], your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.

52:3 [note the distorted values of the wicked…] You love evil rather than good [God’s standards of goodness], falsehood rather than speaking the truth.

52:4 You love [“Thou hast a taste, a gusto for evil language.” (Spurgeon)] every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

B. God’s Complete Judgment

52:5 [when the powerful lose these things, their lives fall apart…] Surely God will bring you down [like a building or structure] to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up [like a  coal out of a fire] and pluck you from your tent [to be like a homeless man without family]; he will uproot you [like a tree or weed] from the land of the living.



C. Wisdom Derived from God’s Judgment
52:6 The righteous [those who align their lives according to God’s Word] will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,

52:7 [‘the epitaph of a mighty man, who lorded it proudly… Behold his ruin, and be instructed.” (Spurgeon)] “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others [Wealth and wickedness are dreadful companions; when combined they make a monster.” (Spurgeon)]!”

D. The Blessing of Righteousness
52:8 But [in contrast to the “mighty hero” or godless man of verse 1] I am like an olive tree [a symbol of longevity and usefulness] flourishing [luxuriant and productive] in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love [in contrast to the “everlasting ruin” of verse 5] for ever and ever.

52:9 For what you have done [note the proper response to the goodness of God…] I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.