Like the 51st Psalm this composition has a powerful and poignant backstory:

TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, MASCHIL, A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN DOEG THE EDOMITE CAME AND TOLD SAUL, AND SAID UNTO HIM, DAVID IS COME TO THE HOUSE OF AHIMELECH.

Psalm 52; Title

The history behind the Psalm is related in 1st Samuel 21-22. David is fleeing from Saul as a result of the King’s terrible and vindictive jealousy. His travels brings him to the city of Nob where the priests resided. Hungry, the men eat from the shew bread before Abimilech gives David the sword of Goliath which had been laid up. The transaction is watched by Doeg the Edomite, a servant of Saul’s. Doeg informed Saul, who subsequently visited Nob, When Saul’s soldiers refused orders to kill the priests, Doeg’s Edomites had no such qualms. As a result 85 priests were slaughtered together with their wives and children. Only Abiathar, the High Priest’s son survived, who then fled to David for refuge, telling a gruesome tale.

David was devastated by the cruelty of Saul. Carnage inflicted by an Israelite King against the servants of God is unique on account of its sacrilege and barbarism. David felt victimised and violated through his own part in bringing this upon the city of Nob. His heart was broken by Abiathar’s tale of woe as he mourned the loss of the priests. In particular, however, he was angered by the part that Doeg, one who was outside the fold of Israel played. The Edomites were the historic enemies of God’s people – the part that an enemy played in the destruction of God’s Priests was critical in this whole affair. The maliciousness of Doeg who perpetrated an act of unprecedented injustice motivated David to compose the 52th Psalm. These are the words of a victim seeking justice in the midst of hurt and brokenness.

This Psalm guides our response when we feel victimised and violated. When we are hurt by others, when we feel the injustice of our circumstances – how should we react?

This Psalm also guides our response to the dark injustices of this broken world. As we hear of murders and wars, of abuse and cruelty how do we react? David shows us the way.

PEACE

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Psalm 52:1

David is troubled greatly, yet through faith he has peace.

He is troubled by the pride, the arrogance and the wickedness of Doeg. This man has slain the priests of God, yet he is boastful and unrepentant. This is often what troubles us most about the perpetrators of foul deeds. When there is a lack of remorse and repentance the crime is multiplied seven times and more. When the perpetrator admits fault and expresses true sorrow there is hope of reconciliation. So often we observe the attitude that David witnessed – proud defiance.

While David is troubled yet he rests with the peace that passes all understanding because God’s goodness never fails. We are not to be plunged into despair by the actions of others. Rather we are to look to one who has all events under control and who will never cease being good.

PRAYER

While this Psalm may appear as a commentary rather than a prayer – there is a plea to the Almighty which is certainly implied:

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.

Psalms 52:5

David derived comfort through believing in a God of justice who would address every injustice in this broken world. God is certainly on the side of every victim; those who are guilty of hurtful deeds have much to fear. Therefore, the prayer for justice is rooted in the nature of God and is a petition which always will be answered. This is where we look at our own circumstances, the state of the nation and of the world and literally hand it over to God. Only the Judeo-Christian tradition supplies real hope in a dark and unjust world. This is where our bitternesses and the natural spirit of revenge is dealt with by trusting in the righteousness of God.

As David prayed for God’s justice, though, he did so with a clear insight into the sins of Doeg the Edomite.

This sin, which was serving of justice was primarily one of the tongue:

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good;
and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.

Psalm 52:2-4

Doeg was in Nob as a neutral person when David appeared with his men. He observed but didn’t indicate what his purposes were. He then went to the King who hated David, carrying this piece of information. Saul was extremely volatile and was not difficult to provoke. The power of words made this atrocity possible.

We always must be careful how we employ language, what we say about others, what seeds we plant in the minds of others. The Christian ought to act in a most discreet way, particularly when commenting about others or when disagreeing with others. James talked about the tongue being difficult to tame and being set on fire by hell when used ill advisedly.

Doeg was also a vain man, full of pride, with a love for material wealth and prosperity. Siding with Saul, carrying stories and then killing the priests was his way up the social and political ladder:

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.

Psalms 52:7

The dangers of going our own path, of ignoring God’s will are set forth here. Such a path will take us to the grave.

PRAISE

This Psalm concludes with praise. From the depths of despair he was brought to the heights of joy and satisfaction because he has learned to trust.

His praising begins with a relevant reflection upon himself:

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God:

Psalm 52:8

Where Doeg was wealthy and powerful, with the ear of the King – David was poor and weak, having fallen out of favour with Saul. David, however, had a prosperity that Doeg did not enjoy – he had spiritual roots, he had spiritual fruitfulness and he had a spiritual location. He liked himself to a green olive tree in the house of God. The olive tree was noted for its fertility and its ability to survive the driest of conditions. In some respects this Psalm is an example of the principles set forth in the 1st Psalm. David is the blessed man compared to the tree beside the rivers of water whereas the Doeg is the ungodly who is like the chaff that the wind drives away.

We need to live out this contrast as Christians. Faithfulness to God’s house will enable us to be green olive trees, productive and flourishing in a deeply ungodly society. This promise gives us something to praise God for… the wicked may prosper but we always have something infinitely more precious than they will ever have.

Therefore, the closing exuberant note of this Psalm is intense, energetic, believing and full of grace:

I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
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 52:8-9

Whatever our circumstances – there is always a time to praise.