Psalms 52 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
PSALM 52
Psa 52:1-9. Compare 1Sa 21:1-10; 22:1-10, for the history of the title. Psa 52:1 gives the theme; the boast of the wicked over the righteous is vain, for God constantly cares for His people. This is expanded by describing the malice and deceit, and then the ruin, of the wicked, and the happy state of the pious.
1. mighty man--literally, "hero." Doeg may be thus addressed, ironically, in respect of his might in slander.
2The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
2. tongue--for self.
mischiefs--evil to others (Psa 5:9; 38:12).
working deceitfully--(Psa 10:7), as a keen, smoothly moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply.
3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
4. all-devouring--literally, "swallowing," which utterly destroy (compare Psa 21:9; 35:25).
5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
5. likewise--or, "so," "also," as you have done to others God will do to you (Psa 18:27). The following terms describe the most entire ruin.
6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
6. shall ... fear--regard with religious awe.
laugh at him--for his folly;
7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
7. for trusting in riches and being strong in "wickedness."
wickedness--literally, "mischief" (Psa 52:2), instead of trusting in God.
the man--literally, "the mighty man," or "hero" (Psa 52:1).
8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
8. The figure used is common (Psa 1:3; Jr 11:16).
green--fresh.
house, &c.--in communion with God (compare Psa 27:4, 5).
for ever and ever--qualifies "mercy."
9I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
9. hast done--that is, what the context supplies, "preserved me" (compare Psa 22:31).
wait ... name--hope in Thy perfections, manifested for my good (Psa 5:11; 20:1).
for it is good--that is, Thy name, and the whole method or result of its manifestation (Psa 54:6; 69:16).