The hope of the Righteous One when everywhere spoken against Doeg, the Edomite, sought the hurt and destroyal of David by reporting maliciously to Saul of David’s whereabouts. 

There is a contrast here of the wicked man who trusts in self, his connections, and his riches – with the righteous one whose trust is in the mercy of God. 

The emphasis upon the tongue that devises mischief and deceit, reminds of James’ treatment of it in his epistle. To tell lies, to carry tales, to ruin other people’s characters by false reports, show how powerful the little member is. David, in the face of these defamatory attacks, would use his tongue to praise the Lord (v. 9). This is its true vocation; it is sin that has altered its use. As Christians, our conversation should be seasoned with all grace, rather than laced with arsenic. 

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Torwood, French

Psalm 52

¹Why dost thou boast, O mighty man,
Of mischief and of ill?
The goodness of Almighty God
Endureth ever still.

²Thy tongue mischievous calumnies
Deviseth subtilely,
Like to a razor sharp to cut,
Working deceitfully.

³Ill more than good, and more than truth
Thou lovest to speak wrong:
⁴Thou lovest all–devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.

⁵So God shall thee destroy for aye,
Remove thee, pluck thee out
Quite from thy house, out of the land
Of life he shall thee root.

⁶The righteous shall it see, and fear,
And laugh at him they shall:
⁷Lo, this the man is that did not
Make God his strength at all:

But he in his abundant wealth
His confidence did place;
And he took strength unto himself
From his own wickedness.

⁸But I am in the house of God
Like to an olive green:
My confidence for ever hath
Upon God’s mercy been.

⁹And I for ever will thee praise,
Because thou hast done this:
I on thy name will wait; for good
Before thy saints it is.