Psalm 52 -February 9, 2025

Congregational Scripture Reading

Psalm 52:7–9 ESV

7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Introduction of why I am making this change.

Trusting in God

Psalms 1–75 Psalm 52: Divine Intervention

“Let us lean on God with all our weight. Let us throw ourselves on his faithfulness as we do on our beds, bringing all our weariness to his dear rest.”

Charles H. Spurgeon

Introduction to Psalm

Psalms 1–75 I. Introduction

As indicated by the title, David was running from Saul and fled to the priest Ahimelech and the priests of Nob for provisions and guidance (

Psalm 52:1–4 ESV

1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.

Psalms 1–75 A. David’s Foe (52:1–4)

52:1. David began with a question of accusation, Why do you boast of evil? Castigating his enemy Doeg, the leader of Saul’s men, he lamented, Why do you boast all day long? His foe, mighty in doing evil, bragged about his constant rebellion against truth and right. But he was a disgrace in the eyes of God, David declared—an embarrassment to heaven, a violation of everything God desired.

52:2. Rebuking the depravity of his opponent, David chided, Your tongue plots destruction. He was conspiring and organizing harm to destroy others. Full of perversity, Doeg’s mouth was like a sharpened razor, cutting, penetrating, and killing.

James 3:6–8 ESV

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Psalms 1–75 A. David’s Foe (52:1–4)

52:3–4. The reality of the problem, David said, was his wicked heart: You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. His sense of morality was wrong. His affections were corrupt and twisted by his depravity. He loved what he should hate and hated what he should love. Thus, his words were deceitful.

Psalm 52:5–7 ESV

5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”

Psalms 1–75 B. David’s Fury (52:5–7)

52:5–7. David pronounced the ultimate destruction of God upon his arrogant enemy. He declared, God will bring you down to everlasting ruin. This would be a just punishment for his ruthless dealings. Death would remove him forever. So devastating would his destruction be that the righteous would see it and be motivated to fear God. The godly would laugh in derision at the absurdity that anyone would oppose God’s will.

Psalm 52:8–9 ESV

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

Psalms 1–75 C. David’s Faith (52:8–9)

52:8–9.

Conclusion

Closing Community Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 ESV

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.