Psalm 52 - Speaking appropriately

The superscript of Psalm 52 says this is a maskil, so it has teaching value for us. It also reveals that at the point of writing this song, David was also running away from King Saul who was seeking his life. The full account can be found in 1 Samuel 21-22. In the narrative, we are told that David came to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob, who then gave bread from the table of showbread to sustain his hunger and that of his men. He also handed him the sword of Goliath, whom he had slain earlier. Unfortunately what Ahimelech did was seen by Doeg, an Edomite and a soldier of Saul, who later betrayed him and David. And at the coercion of Saul, Doeg was the only one brave enough to kill Ahimelech and annihilate his family, except for Abiathar who managed to escape to David.

   

Psalm 52 implies undeniably that evil is futile and also shows us that righteousness will ultimately triumph. What’s heartening also is the implication that God is in sovereign control. And that He watches and takes note of everything we have done, both the good and bad. Here in this Psalm, David was describing Doeg in verses 1-4. Verse 5 then tells us that for the evil he had done, he would be destroyed. Being the righteous, because of his relationship with God, David was assured that he would succeed and prosper in Him.

In this Psalm David saw the end of Doeg. Everything about this wicked man oozed with sheer evil. In speech, thoughts and action, everything was shrouded with ill intent, especially his words. Unknowingly, Doeg’s wickedness was shaping up for his ultimate destruction. God would see to that. On the other hand, being the righteous in God, David’s refuge was God. He was assured that he would have the last laugh. David concluded that he would ultimately prosper. So he made up his mind to thank and praise God.

Notice that Psalm 52 talks a great deal about the words of Doeg. He used his tongue for evil. He used it to devise evil. His words were described with destructive terms such as: boastful, deceitful, devising evil, speaking falsehood, devouring words, and etc. It underscores the fact that words have great impact. It can greatly affect our life and that of others. In Psalm 51, David used it to confess his wrong, and his relationship with God was mended. In Psalm 52, Doeg used it for evil and caused a whole priestly family to be annihilated. The result of his words was precisely why James 3:5-6 warn us about: “...the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”  Take note that like David’s or Doeg’s words, ours also have great potential, both for good or evil. And we must use it to build meaningful and effective life for ourselves and others. So be careful how we use our tongue! With David, let us also determine to use it to thank and praise God!