collapse all  

Text -- Psalms 52:1-4 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
Psalm 52
52:1 For the music director; a well-written song by David. It was written when Doeg the Edomite went and informed Saul: “David has arrived at the home of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast about your evil plans, O powerful man? God’s loyal love protects me all day long! 52:2 Your tongue carries out your destructive plans; it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver. 52:3 You love evil more than good, lies more than speaking the truth. (Selah) 52:4 You love to use all the words that destroy, and the tongue that deceives.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Ahimelech priest (Eli Ithamar) of Nob, whom Saul killed; Ahimelech I,a priest, Ahimelech II; son of Abiathar son of Ahimelech I,a man who was part of David's fugitive band; a Hittite
 · Doeg a man from Edom who was chief of Saul's herdsmen
 · Edomite resident(s) of the region of Edom
 · Maskil a literary or musical term
 · Saul the sixth king of Edom,son of Simeon and a Canaanite woman,son of Uzziah of Kohath son of Levi
 · Selah a musical notation for crescendo or emphasis by action (IBD)


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wicked | VERSIONS, GEORGIAN, GOTHIC, SLAVONIC | Speaking | Slander | Rich, The | Razor | Psalms | PSALMS, BOOK OF | Music | Lies and Deceits | LIE; LYING | Impenitence | Hypocrisy | God | GOODNESS | Doeg | Deception | David | Boasting | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Psa 52:1 - -- God is continually doing good: thou art continually doing mischief.

God is continually doing good: thou art continually doing mischief.

Wesley: Psa 52:1 - -- He speaks ironically. O valiant captain! To kill a few weak and unarmed persons.

He speaks ironically. O valiant captain! To kill a few weak and unarmed persons.

Wesley: Psa 52:2 - -- Expresses what thy wicked mind had devised.

Expresses what thy wicked mind had devised.

Wesley: Psa 52:2 - -- Doeg pretended only to vindicate himself from disloyalty, 1Sa 22:8, but he really intended to expose the priests, to the king's fury.

Doeg pretended only to vindicate himself from disloyalty, 1Sa 22:8, but he really intended to expose the priests, to the king's fury.

JFB: Psa 52:1 - -- Compare 1Sa 21:1-10; 1Sa 22:1-10, for the history of the title. Psa 52:1 gives the theme; the boast of the wicked over the righteous is vain, for God ...

Compare 1Sa 21:1-10; 1Sa 22:1-10, for the history of the title. Psa 52:1 gives the theme; the boast of the wicked over the righteous is vain, for God constantly cares for His people. This is expanded by describing the malice and deceit, and then the ruin, of the wicked, and the happy state of the pious. (Psa 52:1-9)

JFB: Psa 52:1 - -- Literally, "hero." Doeg may be thus addressed, ironically, in respect of his might in slander.

Literally, "hero." Doeg may be thus addressed, ironically, in respect of his might in slander.

JFB: Psa 52:2 - -- For self.

For self.

JFB: Psa 52:2 - -- Evil to others (Psa 5:9; Psa 38:12).

Evil to others (Psa 5:9; Psa 38:12).

JFB: Psa 52:2 - -- (Psa 10:7), as a keen, smoothly moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply.

(Psa 10:7), as a keen, smoothly moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply.

JFB: Psa 52:4 - -- Literally, "swallowing," which utterly destroy (compare Psa 21:9; Psa 35:25).

Literally, "swallowing," which utterly destroy (compare Psa 21:9; Psa 35:25).

Clarke: Psa 52:1 - -- Why boastest thou thyself - It is thought that Doeg boasted of his loyalty to Saul in making the above discovery; but the information was aggravated...

Why boastest thou thyself - It is thought that Doeg boasted of his loyalty to Saul in making the above discovery; but the information was aggravated by circumstances of falsehood that tended greatly to inflame and irritate the mind of Saul. Exaggeration and lying are common to all informers

Clarke: Psa 52:1 - -- O mighty man? - This character scarcely comports with Doeg, who was only chief of the herdsmen of Saul, 1Sa 21:7; but I grant this is not decisive e...

O mighty man? - This character scarcely comports with Doeg, who was only chief of the herdsmen of Saul, 1Sa 21:7; but I grant this is not decisive evidence that the Psalm may not have Doeg in view, for the chief herdsman may have been a man of credit and authority.

Clarke: Psa 52:2 - -- Deviseth mischiefs - Lies and slanders proceeding from the tongue argue the desperate wickedness of the heart

Deviseth mischiefs - Lies and slanders proceeding from the tongue argue the desperate wickedness of the heart

Clarke: Psa 52:2 - -- Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully - Which instead of taking off the beard, cuts and wounds the flesh; or as the operator who, when pretending ...

Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully - Which instead of taking off the beard, cuts and wounds the flesh; or as the operator who, when pretending to trim the beard, cuts the throat.

Clarke: Psa 52:3 - -- Thou lovest evil - This was a finished character. Let us note the particulars 1.    He boasted in the power to do evil 2.  ...

Thou lovest evil - This was a finished character. Let us note the particulars

1.    He boasted in the power to do evil

2.    His tongue devised, studied, planned, and spoke mischiefs

3.    He was a deceitful worker

4.    He loved evil and not good

5.    He loved lying; his delight was in falsity

6.    Every word that tended to the destruction of others he loved

7.    His tongue was deceitful; he pretended friendship while his heart was full of enmity, Psa 52:1-4. Now behold the punishment: -

Calvin: Psa 52:1 - -- 1.Why boastest thou of thy wickedness? The success which crowned the treachery of Doeg must have tended considerably to stagger David’s faith; and ...

1.Why boastest thou of thy wickedness? The success which crowned the treachery of Doeg must have tended considerably to stagger David’s faith; and he seems to have adopted the strain of holy defiance with which the psalm commences, in order to arm himself more effectually against this temptation. He begins by charging Doeg with an aggravation of his guilt, in boasting of the power which he had acquired by an act of consummate villany. This power may have been sufficiently considerable to attract the notice which is here taken of it; for although he is only said to have been “master of the king’s herdsmen,” the designation does not imply that he was personally occupied in herding cattle, but may have been an honorary title; as in modern courts we speak of “The Master of the Horse.” he is reminded that there was no reason why he should applaud himself in his greatness, so long as he abused it to purposes of wickedness; nor why he should be vain of any new honor which the king might have conferred upon him in consideration of his late crime, as integrity is the only sure pathway to power and preferment. Any triumph which may be obtained by violence, treachery, or other unjustifiable means, is short-lived. In the second part of the verse, he points at the true cause of the blindness and stupidity that lead men to glory in their wickedness, which is, that they despise the poor and the humble; imagine that God will not condescend to interest himself in their behalf; and therefore embrace the occasion of oppressing them with impunity. They make no account of that providence which God exerts over his own children. David, in the exercise of a holy confidence, challenges such proud boasters with dishonoring the goodness of God; and as the Divine goodness does not always pursue the same even course — occasionally appears to suffer an interruption, and sometimes seems as if it were cut off altogether, David repels any temptation which this might suggest, by asserting that, whatever appearances may say to the contrary, it is daily exercised. This is evidently the meaning which he intends to convey, that any partial obstructions which may take place in the display of it can never prevent its constant renewal. He was confident that he would experience, in the future, what he had found in the past; for God cannot become weary in helping his people, or alleviating their miseries; and although he may suffer them again and again to fall into affliction, he is always equally ready to extend them the deliverance which they need.

Calvin: Psa 52:2 - -- 2.Thy tongue reckons up mischiefs David is not to be considered as here venting a flood of reproaches against his adversary, as many who have been un...

2.Thy tongue reckons up mischiefs David is not to be considered as here venting a flood of reproaches against his adversary, as many who have been unjustly injured are in the habit of doing, merely to gratify a feeling of revenge. He brings these charges against him in the sight of God, with a view to encourage himself in the hopefulness of his own cause: for it is plain that the farther our enemies proceed in the practice of iniquity, they proportionally provoke the anger of the Lord, and are nearer to that destruction which must issue in our deliverance. His object, therefore, is not to blacken the character of Doeg in the estimation of the world, but rather to set before his own eyes the divine punishment which the flagrant offenses he specifies were certain to draw down upon his head. Amongst these he singles out, as more especially worthy of reprobation, the hidden treachery with which he had been chargeable in accomplishing the destruction of the priesthood. Adverting to his secret and malicious information, he likens his tongue to a sharp razor, as elsewhere, Psa 120:4, the tongues of the wicked are compared to “sharp arrows.” It is added, working deceitfully, which words are considered by some as referring to the razor which cuts subtilely, and not with an open wound like a sword; but perhaps they may be construed with more propriety as applying to the tongue, 276 although there can be no doubt of the reason of the comparison.

Calvin: Psa 52:4 - -- The term בלע , balang, in verse fourth, which has been translated destruction, I prefer understanding in the sense of hiding or concealmen...

The term בלע , balang, in verse fourth, which has been translated destruction, I prefer understanding in the sense of hiding or concealment. He seems to allude to the drawing back of the tongue when we swallow; and under this figure, to describe the deceitfulness of Doeg’s words, by which he devoured the unsuspecting and the innocent. 277 The great design of David, as I have already remarked in the preceding verses, is to encourage himself in the hope of deliverance by dwelling upon the extreme character of that wickedness which his enemy had displayed.

TSK: Psa 52:1 - -- told : Psa 59:7; Jer 9:8; Exo 22:9 boastest : Psa 10:2, Psa 10:3, Psa 94:4; Rom 1:30; 2Ti 3:2 mischief : Psa 7:14, Psa 10:7, Psa 36:3-6; Pro 6:14, Pro...

TSK: Psa 52:2 - -- Thy : Psa 50:19, Psa 64:2-6, Psa 140:2, Psa 140:3; Pro 6:16-19, Pro 30:14; Jer 9:3, Jer 9:4, Jer 18:18; Mat 26:59; Act 6:11-13, Act 24:1, Act 24:5; Re...

TSK: Psa 52:3 - -- lovest : Jer 4:22; Mic 3:2; Rom 1:25; 2Ti 3:4 lying : Psa 62:4; Jer 9:3-5, Jer 9:8; Joh 8:44; Rev 22:15

TSK: Psa 52:4 - -- devouring : 1Sa 22:18, 1Sa 22:19; Jam 3:6-9 O thou : or, and the

devouring : 1Sa 22:18, 1Sa 22:19; Jam 3:6-9

O thou : or, and the

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Psa 52:1 - -- Why boastest thou thyself in Mischief? - Why dost thou "exult"in that which is wrong? Why dost thou find pleasure in evil rather than in good? ...

Why boastest thou thyself in Mischief? - Why dost thou "exult"in that which is wrong? Why dost thou find pleasure in evil rather than in good? Why dost thou seek to triumph in the injury done to others? The reference is to one who prided himself on schemes and projects which tended to injure others; or who congratulated himself on the success which attended his efforts to wrong other people.

O mighty man - DeWette and Luther render this, "tyrant."The original word would be properly applied to one of rank or distinction; a man of "power"- power derived either from office, from talent, or from wealth. It is a word which is often applied to a hero or warrior: Isa 3:2; Eze 39:20; 2Sa 17:10; Psa 33:16; Psa 120:4; Psa 127:4; Dan 11:3; Gen 6:4; Jer 51:30. So far as the "word"is concerned, it might be applied either to Saul or to any other warrior or man of rank; and Professor Alexander supposes that it refers to Saul himself. The connection, however, seems to require us to understand it of Doeg, and not of Saul, This appears to be clear

(a) from the general character here given to the person referred to, a character not particularly applicable to Saul, but applicable to an informer like Doeg Psa 52:2-4; and

(b) from the fact that he derived his power, not from his rank and office, as Saul did, but mainly from his wealth Psa 52:7. This would seem to imply that some other was referred to than Saul.

The goodness of God endureth continually - literally, "all the day."That is, the wicked man could not hope to prevent the exercise of the divine goodness toward him whom he persecuted, and whom he sought to injure. David means to say that the goodness of God was so great and so constant, that he would protect his true friends from such machinations; or that it, was so unceasing and watchful, that the informer and accuser could not hope to find an interval of time when God would intermit his care, and when, therefore, he might hope for success. Against the goodness of God, the devices of a wicked man to injure the righteous could not ultimately prevail.

Barnes: Psa 52:2 - -- Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs - The word rendered "mischiefs"means (a) desire, cupidity: Pro 10:3; then (b) fall, ruin, destruction, wickedness...

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs - The word rendered "mischiefs"means

(a) desire, cupidity: Pro 10:3; then

(b) fall, ruin, destruction, wickedness: Psa 5:9; Psa 38:12.

The meaning here is, that he made use of his tongue to ruin others. Compare Psa 50:19. The particular thing referred to here is the fact that Doeg sought the ruin of others by giving "information"in regard to them. He "informed"Saul of what Ahimelech had done; he informed him where David had been, thus giving him, also, information in what way he might be found and apprehended. All this was "designed"to bring ruin upon David and his followers. It "actually"brought ruin on Ahimelech and those associated with him, 1Sa 22:17-19.

Like a sharp razor - See the notes at Isa 7:20. His slanders were like a sharp knife with which one stabs another. So we stay of a slanderer that he "stabs"another in the dark.

Working deceitfully - literally, making deceit. That is, it was by deceit that he accomplished his purpose. There was no open and fair dealing in what he did.

Barnes: Psa 52:3 - -- Thou lovest evil more than good - Thou dost prefer to do injury to others, rather than to do them good. In the case referred to, instead of aid...

Thou lovest evil more than good - Thou dost prefer to do injury to others, rather than to do them good. In the case referred to, instead of aiding the innocent, the persecuted, and the wronged, he had attempted to reveal the place where he might be found, and where an enraged enemy might have an opportunity of wreaking his vengeance upon him.

And lying rather than to speak righteousness - He preferred a lie to the truth; and, when he supposed that his own interest would be subserved by it, he preferred a falsehood that would promote that interest, rather than a simple statement of the truth. The "lying"in this case was that which was "implied"in his being desirous of giving up David, or betraying him to Saul - as if David was a bad man, and as if the suspicions of Saul were wellfounded. He preferred to give his countenance to a falsehood in regard to him, rather than to state the exact truth in reference to his character. His conduct in this was strongly in contrast with that of Ahimelech, who, when arraigned before Saul, declared his belief that David was innocent; his firm conviction that David was true and loyal. "For"that fidelity he lost his life, 1Sa 22:14. Doeg was willing to lend countenance to the suspicions of Saul, and practically to represent David as a traitor to the king. The word "Selah"here is doubtless a mere musical pause. See the notes at Psa 3:2. It determines nothing in regard to the sense of the passage.

Barnes: Psa 52:4 - -- Thou lovest all devouring words - All words that tend to devour or "swallow up"reputation and happiness. Luther, "Thou speakest gladly all thin...

Thou lovest all devouring words - All words that tend to devour or "swallow up"reputation and happiness. Luther, "Thou speakest gladly all things (anything) that will serve to destruction."Anything, everything, that will serve to ruin people. The word rendered "devouring"- בלע bela‛ - occurs only here and in Jer 51:44, though the verb from which it is derived occurs frequently: Isa 28:4; Exo 7:12; Jon 2:1 Jon 1:17; Gen 41:7, Gen 41:24, et al. The verb means to swallow; and then, to consume or destroy.

O thou deceitful tongue - Margin, "and the deceitful tongue."The sense is best expressed in the text. It is an address to the tongue as loving deceit or fraud.

Poole: Psa 52:1 - -- Doeg the Edomite so called, either, 1. Because he was born or bred in Edom. Or, 2. From his treacherous and bloody disposition; for which the Edomi...

Doeg the Edomite so called, either,

1. Because he was born or bred in Edom. Or,

2. From his treacherous and bloody disposition; for which the Edomites are infamous in Scripture; as the Israelites are called Sodom and Gomorrah, Isa 1:10 .

David reproveth the insolency of Doeg, Psa 52:1-4 ; prophesieth his destruction, Psa 52:5 . The righteous rejoice at it, Psa 52:6 . He showeth the Strength and hope of this wicked man, Psa 52:7 ; but placeth his own confidence and trust in God, and praiseth him, Psa 52:8,9 .

Why boastest thou thyself as if thou hadst done a great exploit, which none else durst undertake; and thereby established the crown upon Saul’ s head, and thyself in his favour; and broken all David’ s designs, by striking a terror into all his favourers by this sad example?

O mighty man! he speak ironically. O valiant captain! O glorious action! to kill a few weak and unarmed persons in the king’ s presence, and under the protection of his guards! Surely thy name will be famous to all ages for such heroical courage.

The goodness of God endureth continually God’ s love and favour to his people, and in particular to me, is not fading and inconstant, but everlasting and unchangeable, and therefore not to be hindered or defeated by any wicked designs or practices. And therefore though he hath permitted thee, and may do others, to rage for a season, yet he will defend, and in due time deliver, his people.

Poole: Psa 52:2 - -- Deviseth i.e. expresseth what thy wicked mind had devised. Thus skilfulness is ascribed to those hands which are governed by a skilful or prudent m...

Deviseth i.e. expresseth what thy wicked mind had devised. Thus skilfulness is ascribed to those hands which are governed by a skilful or prudent man, Psa 78:72 . This word implies that Doeg’ s words were not uttered rashly and unadvisedly, but with premeditated malice, and a mischievous design, which he waited for an opportunity to execute; and therefore he readily took the first occasion which offered itself.

Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully wherewith a man pretending only to shave off the hair, doth suddenly and unexpectedly cut the throat. So Doeg pretended only to vindicate himself from the imputation of disloyalty, 1Sa 22:8 , but really intended to expose the priests, who were friends to David, to the king’ s fury and cruelty.

Poole: Psa 52:3 - -- Evil and good may be here taken, either, 1. Morally; Thou lovest wickedness and not goodness; for so comparative passages are oft meant, as Psa 11...

Evil and

good may be here taken, either,

1. Morally; Thou lovest wickedness and not goodness; for so comparative passages are oft meant, as Psa 118:8 , It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man , i.e. It is good to trust God, but it is not good to trust man; for this is absolutely forbidden, Psa 146:3 Jer 17:5 . Or,

2. Physically. Thou lovest to speak or act to the hurt and ruin of others, rather than to their benefit. Thou mightest, without any danger to thyself, have been silent concerning Ahimelech’ s fact, or have put a favourable construction upon it; but thou hast chosen rather to misrepresent and aggravate it. He saith,

thou lovest to imply that he did this not by any constraint or necessity, but by choice, and with complacency, and out of a love to mischief.

Lying whereof Doeg was guilty, partly in reporting that he (i.e. Ahimelech) inquired of the Lord for him , (David,)1Sa 22:10 , which he did not, 1Sa 21 , where all that history is recorded; and partly in putting a false interpretation upon what he did, in giving him victuals and a sword , as if he had done it knowingly, and in conspiracy with David, and against Saul, as appears by comparing Doeg’ s answer with Saul’ s inquiry, 1Sa 22:7,8 .

Righteousness i.e. the whole and naked truth, without any such lying or malicious comment upon it, which was but an act of justice due from thee to any man, and much more on the behalf of so innocent and sacred a person.

Poole: Psa 52:4 - -- Devouring words such as might swallow up and destroy a whole family at once.

Devouring words such as might swallow up and destroy a whole family at once.

Haydock: Psa 52:1 - -- The general corruption of man before the coming of Christ.

The general corruption of man before the coming of Christ.

Haydock: Psa 52:1 - -- Maeleth, or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians: for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum; (Challoner) and Aquila, "for dancing...

Maeleth, or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians: for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum; (Challoner) and Aquila, "for dancing." Sixtus V, &c., read incorrectly, "for Amalec." ---

The psalm is nearly the same with the 13th, (Calmet) except ver. 6. (Menochius) ---

We know not the reason why David gave this second copy, omitting the name of Jehovah. (Berthier) ---

St. Augustine explains it of the dangers of the latter times. (Worthington) ---

It seems to speak of the return from captivity, ver. 7. (Calmet)

Gill: Psa 52:1 - -- Why boastest thou thyself in mischief?.... Or "in evil" w; in that which is sinful; to glory in riches, wisdom, and strength, which are not in themsel...

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief?.... Or "in evil" w; in that which is sinful; to glory in riches, wisdom, and strength, which are not in themselves evil, is wrong; and to rejoice in such boastings, all such rejoicing is evil; to be a doer of mischief, or sin, is bad; to make a sport of it, worse; but to glory in it, and boast of it when done, is worse still: to be boasters of evil things, is the character of antichrist and his followers, 2Ti 3:2; who not only boast of their merit, their good works, and works of supererogation, and of their riches, and honour, and grandeur, saying, "I sit as a queen", Rev 18:7; but of their wickedness in shedding the blood of the saints, thinking thereby they do God good service, and merit heaven, and eternal happiness; as Doeg boasted of his slaughter of the priests, and of his gaining the king's favour by it;

O mighty man! referring either to his office, being the chief of Saul's herdmen, and set over his servants, 1Sa 21:7; or ironically, to the mighty deed he had done, in slaying the unarmed priests, and putting to death the very sucklings at the breast, and even the innocent sheep, oxen, and asses; or to his great wickedness and power to commit it; though man has no power and free will to that which is good, yet he has to that which is evil; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and the eastern versions render it, "O thou! mighty in wickedness"; and to the same purpose the Targum paraphrases it, "mighty to shed innocent blood"; and the note of Aben Ezra is, "mighty to do evil". A learned writer x thinks this relates to Saul, and describes him as a man of power and dignity. The character well agrees with the little horn and Romish beast, Dan 7:20;

the goodness of God endureth continually: that is, the love, grace, and mercy of God; this is observed as what is the matter of the saints' boasting, in opposition to the wicked boasting of Doeg; they glory in the love of God, and in that they know him who exerciseth lovingkindness, which is the source of all the blessings of grace and goodness; and in Christ, through whom all are communicated to them; and in him, as made every blessing to them, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption: they ascribe the whole of their salvation, and all they have, to the grace of God, and glory in nothing as of themselves, and as though not received of the Lord. Moreover, the psalmist may take notice of this, as what was his support under all the persecutions he endured from men; that he had an interest in the grace and goodness of God, which is immutable and everlasting, invariably the same in all states and conditions; and that he was encompassed about with the favour of God as with a shield; and that it was not in the power of his most implacable enemies to separate him from the love of God; and therefore it was egregious folly in Doeg to boast himself in mischief; for, be he as mighty as he might, he could not prevent his sharing in the divine goodness, which always continues.

Gill: Psa 52:2 - -- Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs,.... Abundance of mischiefs, in a variety of ways, against many persons, even all good men. What properly belongs to the...

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs,.... Abundance of mischiefs, in a variety of ways, against many persons, even all good men. What properly belongs to the heart is here ascribed to the tongue; because, as Aben Ezra observes, it is the interpreter and discoverer of the thoughts of the heart: out of the abundance of that the tongue speaks and declares the mischief it has devised. Doeg intended mischief to David, when he spoke to Saul, 1Sa 22:9; so antichrist devises mischiefs against the saints of the most High, to wear them out, and thinks to change times and laws, Dan 7:25;

like a sharp razor, working deceitfully; that is, his tongue was like a razor; the razor is but a small instrument, and the tongue is but a little member: the razor is a sharp and cutting one, and so is the tongue; and therefore compared to a sharp sword, Psa 57:4; see Jer 18:18; the razor takes off the beard cleanly and wholly; Doeg's tongue was the cause of the utter ruin of Ahimelech's family and the city of Nob; and as a razor may be said to "work deceitfully", when it turns aside in the hand of him that useth it, and with the hair takes off more than it should, even skin and flesh, or cuts the man's throat; so in a deceitful and insidious manner did Doeg work the destruction of Ahimelech and the priests of the Lord.

Gill: Psa 52:3 - -- Thou lovest evil more than good,.... Indeed not good at all; such comparatives being strong negatives; see Psa 118:8; a wicked man loves evil, and not...

Thou lovest evil more than good,.... Indeed not good at all; such comparatives being strong negatives; see Psa 118:8; a wicked man loves evil, and nothing else; his carnal mind being enmity to all that is good

and lying rather than to speak righteousness; as appears by his affirming that Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for David, when he did not, 1Sa 22:10; and by suffering some things to pass for truths which were falsehoods, when it lay in his power to have disproved them: and such a lover of lies is antichrist; see 1Ti 4:2.

Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psa 3:2. The Targum renders the word "Selah" here "for ever", as in Psa 52:5.

Gill: Psa 52:4 - -- Thou lovest all devouring words,.... Or "words of swallowing up" y; such as lies, calumnies, and detractions are, which devour the characters and repu...

Thou lovest all devouring words,.... Or "words of swallowing up" y; such as lies, calumnies, and detractions are, which devour the characters and reputations of men, and are the cause sometimes of their utter ruin and destruction; of the devouring and blasphemous words of antichrist see Rev 13:5;

O thou deceitful tongue; See Gill on Psa 52:2.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 52:1 Heb “the loyal love of God [is] all the day.” In this context, where the psalmist is threatened by his enemy, the point seems to be that t...

NET Notes: Psa 52:2 Heb “like a sharpened razor, doer of deceit.” The masculine participle עָשָׂה (’asah) is underst...

NET Notes: Psa 52:3 Or “deceit more than speaking what is right.”

NET Notes: Psa 52:4 Heb “you love all the words of swallowing.” Traditionally בַּלַּע (bala’) has been taken t...

Geneva Bible: Psa 52:1 "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 Ahimel...

Geneva Bible: Psa 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth ( b ) mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. ( b ) Your malice moves you by crafty flattery and lies to accuse and d...

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Psa 52:1-9 - --1 David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesies his destruction.6 The righteous shall rejoice at it.8 David, upon his confidence in God's mer...

MHCC: Psa 52:1-5 - --Those that glory in sin, glory in their shame. The patience and forbearance of God are abused by sinners, to the hardening of their hearts in their wi...

Matthew Henry: Psa 52:1-5 - -- The title is a brief account of the story which the psalm refers to. David now, at length, saw it necessary to quit the court, and shift for his own...

Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 52:1-4 - -- It is bad enough to behave wickedly, but bad in the extreme to boast of it at the same time as an heroic act. Doeg, who causes a massacre, not, howe...

Constable: Psa 42:1--72:20 - --II. Book 2: chs. 42--72 In Book 1 we saw that all the psalms except 1, 2, 10, and 33 claimed David as their writ...

Constable: Psa 52:1-9 - --Psalm 52 David contrasted his trust in the Lord with the treachery of those who have no regard for Him i...

Constable: Psa 52:1-5 - --1. God's destruction of the treacherous 52:1-7 52:1 David addressed the wicked man directly. He marvelled that he would really boast about his evil si...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

JFB: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title of this book is Tehilim ("praises" or "hymns"), for a leading feature in its contents is praise, though the word occurs in the title ...

JFB: Psalms (Outline) ALEPH. (Psa 119:1-8). This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two let...

TSK: Psalms (Book Introduction) The Psalms have been the general song of the universal Church; and in their praise, all the Fathers have been unanimously eloquent. Men of all nation...

TSK: Psalms 52 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Psa 52:1, David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesies his destruction; Psa 52:6, The righteous shall rejoice at it; Psa 52:8, ...

Poole: Psalms (Book Introduction) OF PSALMS THE ARGUMENT The divine authority of this Book of PSALMS is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the church; which b...

MHCC: Psalms (Book Introduction) David was the penman of most of the psalms, but some evidently were composed by other writers, and the writers of some are doubtful. But all were writ...

MHCC: Psalms 52 (Chapter Introduction) (Psa 52:1-5) The enemies of the truth and the church described, Their destruction. (Psa 52:6-9) The righteous rejoice.

Matthew Henry: Psalms (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Psalms We have now before us one of the choicest and most excellent parts of all the Old Te...

Matthew Henry: Psalms 52 (Chapter Introduction) David, no doubt, was in very great grief when he said to Abiathar (1Sa 22:22), " I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's hou...

Constable: Psalms (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is Tehillim, which means...

Constable: Psalms (Outline) Outline I. Book 1: chs. 1-41 II. Book 2: chs. 42-72 III. Book 3: chs. 73...

Constable: Psalms Psalms Bibliography Allen, Ronald B. "Evidence from Psalm 89." In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus,...

Haydock: Psalms (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF PSALMS. INTRODUCTION. The Psalms are called by the Hebrew, Tehillim; that is, hymns of praise. The author, of a great part of ...

Gill: Psalms (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALMS The title of this book may be rendered "the Book of Praises", or "Hymns"; the psalm which our Lord sung at the passover is c...

Gill: Psalms 52 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 52 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is co...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


created in 0.45 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA