Bible Commentary

Psalms 52:1-5

Matthew Henry on Psalms 52:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Those 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 have God's mercy to trust in.

It will not save us from the guilt of lying, to be able to say, there was some truth in what we said, if we make it appear otherwise than it was. The more there is of craft and contrivance in any wickedness, the more there is of Satan in it.

When good men die, they are transplanted from the land of the living on earth, to heaven, the garden of the Lord, where they shall take root for ever; but when wicked men die, they are rooted out, to perish for ever.

The believer sees that God will destroy those who make not him their strength.

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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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 52:1-9"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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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