Bible Commentaries
Psalms 52

Verse 1

Title. Maschil= Instruction. The fifth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 .

when Doeg, &c. See notes on 1 Samuel 21:7 ; 1 Samuel 22:18 . See note on Mahalath, in sub-scription at end of Psalms 52:9 .

Why boastest . . . ? Relating to Doeg's treachery.

mighty man. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 . = tyrant; Septuagint = mighty lawless one. It is prophetic, and a type of Antichrist.

goodness = lovingkindness, or grace.

GOD . Hebrew El. App-4 .

continually = all the day.

Verse 2

mischiefs = malignity. Plural for singular = a great malignity.

Verse 3

evil. Hebrew. ra'a . App-44 .

Selah. Connecting the deceitful tongue of Doeg (Psalms 52:4 ) with the imprecation on it. See App-66 .

Verse 4

devouring words. Hebrew words of swallowing up. Compare 1 Samuel 22:18 .

Verse 5

destroy . . . take away. . . pluck out . . . root out. Note the Figure of speech Anabasis. App-6 .

Selah. Connecting God's judgment with the righteous onlookers. See App-66 .

Verse 6

righteous = righteous ones (plural)

Verse 7

the man = the strong man (Hebrew. geber. App-14 . IV) that made not God his strength. The Gematria of this sentence = 2,197 (= 133). See App-10 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

wickedness. Aram, and Syriac read "wealth". Compare Psalms 112:3 .

Verse 8

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Verse 9

Thou hast done it. David ascribes all the glory to his God.

Thy name = Thyself. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Thy saints. Some codices read singular = Thy beloved (One).