Bible Commentaries
Psalms 52

Introduction

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.

Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes.

Verses 1-9

LII. The Psalmist denounces an enemy of his who trusts in his wealth and in unscrupulous falsehood. He is confident that this adversary will be rooted up and that he himself will flourish and abide in the Temple. The reference to the Temple and the complete silence about the massacre of the priests shows that the title gives an impossible explanation of the Ps.

Psalms 52:1 b. Read, “ Against the godly man continually.”

Psalms 52:2 . Translate “ O thou that workest deceitfully.” But the text is probably corrupt.

Psalms 52:5 . Translate “ Shall snatch thee away and pluck thee up tentless.”

Psalms 52:7 . wickedness: read (T.) “ wealth.”

Psalms 52:8 . The simile may have been suggested by the actual presence of olive-trees in the Temple courts. (See Zechariah 4:3.)

Psalms 52:9 . See Psalms 5.