The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

"This psalm is

A stern upbraiding

addressed to the man who, unscrupulous in the exercise of his power, and proud of his wealth, finds his delight in all the arts of the practised liar."

I. THE ARROGANCE OF A WICKED MAN IN WORLDLY POWER.

1. He boasts of the evil which he does. He is not ashamed of his wickedness.

2. He is bent upon ever new forms of mischief. Works deceitfully, and not openly, and his tongue, as the instrument of his mind, is ever plotting fresh devices of evil.

3. He loves false speaking and false ways more than the true. The wickedness is ingrained, and not merely resorted to for a purpose.

4. He exults in material riches. Thinks they can carry him through, and enable him to brave all consequences.

II. THE CERTAINTY OF HIS OVERTHROW.

1. The goodness of God will ensure it. God loves the good; and his love for them endureth for ever—ensuring the overthrow of the wicked.

2. The sure connection of guilt and punishment. (Psalms 52:5.) The psalmist had no hesitation in predicting his future fall.

III. THE SYMPATHY WHICH GOOD MEN FEEL WITH GOD'S RIGHTEOUS WORK. (Psalms 52:6.) They are filled with a holy filial fear; and they rejoice at the triumph of the right and the true over the unjust and the untrue.

IV. GOD'S GOODNESS GIVES CONFIDENCE AND THANKFULNESS TO THE RIGHTEOUS (Psalms 52:8, Psalms 52:9.) Trust, praise, and patience wait upon thy Name.—S.

Psalms 51

Psalms

Psalms 53

Psalms 52 - psalms-52 - worlddic.com

More for Psalms 52:1-9

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 52:1-5Psalms 52:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThose 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 wicked ways. But the enemies in vain boast in their mischief, while we…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9Psalms 52:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION HERE, again, the title is the best guide to the origin, intent, and authorship of the psalm. It is ascribed to David, and said to have been written on the occasion when Doeg the Edomite acquainted Saul with t…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1Psalms 52:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryWhy boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? Doeg was "the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul" (1 Samuel 21:7), or, according to another passage (1 Samuel 22:9), "set over the servants of Saul." The p…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9Psalms 52:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryA betrayer. The "mighty man" might have been Doeg or some other who had gained notoriety as a betrayer. I. THE ODIOUSNESS OF HIS CHARACTER. It is marked by deceitfulness. Craft and lying are the tools of the betrayer. H…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 52:1-5Those 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 wicked ways. But the enemies in vain boast in their mischief, while we…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9EXPOSITION HERE, again, the title is the best guide to the origin, intent, and authorship of the psalm. It is ascribed to David, and said to have been written on the occasion when Doeg the Edomite acquainted Saul with t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? Doeg was "the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul" (1 Samuel 21:7), or, according to another passage (1 Samuel 22:9), "set over the servants of Saul." The p…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9A betrayer. The "mighty man" might have been Doeg or some other who had gained notoriety as a betrayer. I. THE ODIOUSNESS OF HIS CHARACTER. It is marked by deceitfulness. Craft and lying are the tools of the betrayer. H…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; or, malignities—evils of the worst kind. It was Doeg's "tongue" that brought about the entire ghastly massacre (see 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:10). Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:3Thou lovest evil more than good. To "love evil" is to have reached the lowest depth of depravity. It is to say, with Milton's Satan, "Evil, be thou my good!" And lying rather than to speak righteousness (see the comment…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:4Thou lovest all devouring words. "Devouring words" are words that cause ruin and destruction. O thou deceitful tongue! or, and the deceitful tongue.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever. As thy "devouring words" have been the destruction of many, so shall God, in return, "destroy thee" (literally, pull thee down) "for ever"—destroy thee, i.e; with a complete and…Joseph S. Exell and contributors