Read
(A special psalm by David for the music leader. He wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, “David has gone to Ahimelech's house.”)
God Is in Control
1 You people may be strong
and brag about your sins,
but God can be trusted
day after day.
2You plan brutal crimes,
and your lying words cut
like a sharp razor.
3You would rather do evil
than good, and tell lies
than speak the truth.
4You love to say cruel things,
and your words are a trap.
5God will destroy you forever!
He will grab you and drag you
from your homes.
You will be uprooted
and left to die.
6When good people see
this fearsome sight,
they will laugh and say,
7“Just look at them now!
Instead of trusting God,
they trusted their wealth
and their cruelty.”
8But I am like an olive tree
growing in God's house,
and I can count on his love
forever and ever.
9I will always thank God
for what he has done;
I will praise his good name
when his people meet.
Reflect
A poisoned tongue can cause terrible damage. In 1 Samuel 22 (the context for Psalm 52) the venomous tongue of Doeg resulted in the murder of 85 priests; as well as the men, women, children and animals in Nob.
Psalm 52, a maskil (psalm of instruction), deals with the inexorable justice of God. In my notes in the margin of my 1979 Bible I see that I divided the psalm into three sections: Doeg’s treachery (v.1-4), Doeg’s trial (v.5-7) and David’s testimony (v.8-9).
To say that Doeg was treacherous, is an understatement. He was a slimy, underhanded, ungodly, ingratiating, dangerous, black-hearted, cold-blooded snitch who used the insane suspicions of Saul against David to justify mass murder. You’d think it couldn’t get any worse than murder. But it did. He was wickedness personified. Like Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, and other architects of genocide, he was proud (v.1) of what he’d done and boasted (v.2-4) about his evil deeds!
With King Saul’s backing Doeg perversely figured he was okay. But he was wrong. God may delay in the exercise of justice, but there’s always a reckoning. Doeg would be tried and found wanting. He would be pounded down, plucked out and pulled up (v.5). And to emphasize the severity of his punishment David prophesied that he would also be scorned and derided by those who are good (v.6).
The psalm closes with Doeg’s poisoned tongue and perverted temperament being contrasted with David’s testimony. Even when evil is unfettered, faith flourishes. Wealth and power cannot ultimately pervert justice. God’s judgment may appear slow, but His timing is perfect. Justice is always served. Doeg, and all those like him, are dead men. On the other hand, fugitives/refugees like David who trust in God’s love, will know everlasting life.
Respond
Lord, thank you that in a world of wickedness, your justice is inescapable. In due time the foot of the wicked will slip, vengeance will be yours, you will repay (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). Amen.
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners