Sunday,
March 1, 2009 pm
Psalm 52
Tonight we continue our
study of the psalms. We have here a
psalm that we know much about its background, which when understood helps us to
know the intended message. Let us
learn from this psalm.
I.
Background of Psalm 52
a.
First, assigned to
the chief musician like so many of the psalms.
They would take of the psalm and incorporate it into worship and other
occasions when appropriate.
b.
We read of Doeg,
the Edomite in 1 Samuel 22.
This is before David becomes king, but he has been anointed by Samuel.
King Saul hates David and desires to kill him.
In 1 Sam. 21 & 22 we see how deluded Saul is, wrongfully accusing anyone
who speaks to David. As David flees,
21:1 records that David comes to Nob to Ahimelech the priest.
David there lies saying he is on confidential business for the king.
He asks for food for him and his men and is given the leftover showbread
and the sword of Goliath which was kept there.
It is in this location where we are first introduced to Doeg, the Edomite.
21:7 records him as a servant of Saul, “detained before the Lord.”
(NOTE: IT is possible that Doeg was there as a spy for the king)
He is also described as the chief of the herdsmen that belonged to King
Saul. Doeg overhears David’s
conversation and sees Ahimelech helping him.
In chapter 22 we find David continuing to flee and king Saul ranting that
none of his brethren are loyal to him because they did not tell him about the
closeness of Jonathan and David and they were not sympathetic to his cause.
(22:6-8) 22:9 notes that Doeg the
Edomite speaks up and tells him where he saw David (in Nob) and what Ahimelech
did for him. Based on our psalm, the implication of the text is that Doeg was
malicious in his telling the details. King
Saul inquires of Ahimelech who reminds the king that David was NOT disloyal to
him and further notes that he was innocent of what Saul had charged him of (not
knowing of David’s real plans) (22:14-15).
In anger, because the priest helped David (though innocent), Saul ordered
his guards to execute the priests.
They all refuse, so he orders Doeg to kill them.
Doeg complies and killed 85 priests that day as well as sticking the city
of Nob, killing men and women as well as the children and their livestock.
One of Ahimelech’s sons escapes and tells David what happened.
David is very upset realizing that he (David) was indirectly responsible
for the deaths of the priests (because of his lies at the beginning).
c.
But
our
psalm shows that ultimately, Doeg was responsible for his own actions
and David calls upon God to repay Doeg for his evil.
In fact, within this psalm we find more
details about the character of Doeg AND many, who even today, follow His wicked
ways.
II.
One who boasts in evil (1-4)
a.
Why do you
boast in evil, O mighty man?
i.
The word for boast
here that actually means praise. It
is a strong word meaning strong praise OR in the case of our text – strong
boasting. One who is arrogantly
proud of himself. This one brags
about his “evil” or “mischief” (KJV).
This is a word that means wickedness or that which is bad.
This certainly describes the conduct of Doeg – both in the report he gives to
Saul (not defending the innocence of the priests) and in his actions.
His heart was one that “devises wicked
plans, feet that are swift in running to evil.” (Prov. 6:18)
The description of Doeg as a “mighty man” was self appointed or else one’s view
in the eyes of the world.
Considering what Doeg does, it was pure arrogance.
ii.
I am reminded of
the arrogance of too many today who engage in evil.
2 Tim. 3:2 warned that men would be, “lovers of themselves, lovers of
money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,…”
Such are also mentioned in Romans 1:30.
Sadly, I believe such to be even MORE true now than in times past.
We see more and more sin not only tolerated but actually bragged about
and those engaged in such have no shame.
In fact, many dare you to challenge them.
b.
BUT, The goodness of God endures
continually. In contrast to the
wickedness of man, God is the opposite – being the ultimate example of good.
1 John 4:8 notes that, “God is love”
c.
Vs. 2-4
describe a series of sins involving the tongue.
These are the sins that DESTROY others.
i.
A tongue that
devises destruction – it says things that result in harm to others (such as
gossip, lies, slander, etc.)
ii.
Sharp as a razor –
meaning the words are cutting and deliberate.
They are well thought out.
This one knows EXACTLY what he is saying and does maximum damage with his
tongue. Like those of Romans 16:18
whom Paul says we are to mark and avoid, they serve “their own bellies, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the
hearts of the simple.”
iii.
Loving evil more
than good – the opposite of 1 Cor. 13:6.
iv.
Lying rather than
speaking righteousness – one who would rather twist the truth for personal gain
rather than say what is right.
v.
Loving devouring
words and having a deceitful tongue – James 3:6-9 describes the damage a tongue
can do.
vi.
Doeg was guilty of
such sinful language. Sadly, he is
NOT alone by any means.
III.
God’s vengeance (5-7)
a.
In these verses we
find David’s desire for God to curse Doeg.
This is an example of an imprecatory request – a word that means a call
to curse another. NOTE here WHY
David desires this. Doeg has done
evil – murdering God’s priests, etc. This is not about him.
It is a righteous desire for God’s will to prevail.
Never forget passages like Romans 12:17-21 (let God have the vengeance).
ALSO note that David is not the one exacting vengeance – he leaves that up to
God.
b.
Among the things
David notices God will do include:
i.
Destroy him
forever – ultimately His punishment would be eternal destruction, but here the
desire is that his earthly prosperity be halted.
That is also seen in this verse as David says, “And uproot you from the
land of the living.”
ii.
Remove him from
his dwelling place, i.e. take away his home.
While such sounds cruel and hateful –
UNDERSTAND that the wicked use
such resources both as motivation and ability to do their evil.
This is no different than putting a criminal in jail and other
punishments (which are supposed to both punish him AND remove his ability to
commit his criminal acts -which protects society).
Realize that Doeg is an ally of Saul who is now an enemy of God and the
righteous. The desire is not
personal vindication but for God and His goodness to prevail!
iii.
The righteous will
see and fear (learn from it) and laugh at him.
The truly godly are not gleeful at his suffering, but rejoicing in God’s
will prevailing, cf. 1 Cor. 13:6, “rejoicing in truth.”
There can come good in this “crooked and perverse generation” (Phil.
2:15), but it depends on evil being overcome.
Friends, you KNOW why you pray to God to defeat evil – what are your motives?
The same request can be either righteousness or more evil.
You know!
c.
Another reason why
Doeg deserves this – GREED!
i.
He did not make
God his strength, but trusted in the riches of this world.
How many times are we warned against that? 1 Tim. 6:17 don’t trust in uncertain
riches.
Don’t be like the rich, young ruler of Mark 19:21-22 who went away sorrowful
because he had great riches he was not willing to part with.
There is a reason, “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” 1 Tim.
6:10
Prov. 23:4-5 says, “Do not overwork to be
rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle
toward heaven.”
ii.
He strengthened
himself in wickedness – what we have been talking about.
Doeg used that which is evil to make him more powerful (and more wicked).
That is why we need to stand up against wickedness.
IV.
Continued Trust in God (8-9)
a.
In his oft used
ways, David concludes by praising God and realizing his blessings.
b.
He describes
himself as “a green olive tree in the house of God” – a tree in the complex
where God is, depending on the care of the priests for its vitality and
survival. David depends on God’s
protection in the midst of this hostile society. We are told in our text that
David was told by the prophet Gad to go back and dwell in the region of Judah (1
Sam. 22:5). Yet even there, close to
Saul – he felt protected. Do we have
such trust in our God?
c.
David says:
1.
I will trust in
God’s mercy forever and ever. NASU
says, “I will trust in the lovingkindness.”
David will depend of God’s mercy.
This is opposite of what Doeg trusted in.
What will we trust in? See
James 5:11, “…that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
Ephesians 2:4 says the God “is rich in
mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.”
2.
I will praise
you forever, NASU - “give
You thanks forever”.
IN all we do, let us praise and thank God.
Gratitude is at the foundation level of what we will become.
It will greatly influence our attitude toward God – 1 Thess. 5:18, Col.
3:17, Heb. 13:15, Eph. 5:20, etc.
3.
I will hope in
Your name, which is good, in the
presence of Your saints.
David continues to need patience as he faces difficult times.
So do we! James 1:3-4, 2
Thess. 3:5 says, “Now may the Lord direct
your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”
He waits in the presence of the saints – God’s set apart ones.
Yet another passage that reveals the blessedness of our brethren.
It also shows that He is not hiding this from the godly.
How much do we trust our brethren and can we go to them with our cares?
And thus we see another
psalm with the many lessons we can learn from it.
We do not read of what happened to Doeg after this, but we can know that
God, being just took care of it in His own way.
Similarly, if we put our trust in God, even as David did in the difficult
times, we know that He can and will take care of us.
Let us never forget this.