psalm-52:1-55:8

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:1-9THE progress of feeling in this psalm is clear, but there is no very distinct division into strophes and one of the two Selahs does not mark a transition, though it does make a pause. First, the poet, with a few indignant and contemptuous touches, dashes on his canvas an outline portrait of an arrogant oppressor, whose weapon was slander and his words like pits of ruin. Then, with vehement, exulting metaphors, he pictures his destruction. On it follow reverent awe of God, whose... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:0 The Proud and Boasting Man 1. The character of the man of sin (Psalms 52:1-7 ) 2. The character of the righteous (Psalms 52:8-9 ) The four Psalms which follow (all Maschil Psalms) give mostly a prophetic picture of the man of sin, the final Antichrist, the false messiah-king, under whom the godly in Israel will especially suffer. He is first described as the mighty man, the super-man, who boasts in evil. He is also a lying, deceitful man, “working deceitfully” and having a... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 52:1

52:1 [To the chief Musician, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O {a} mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually.(a) O Doeg, who half consider to be the tyrant Saul, and had the power to murder the saints of God. read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 52:1

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "The goodness of God endureth continually." Psa 52:1 The Psalmist is here addressing a tyrannical spirit "Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?" That "mighty man" may represent either a personal tyrant, a national enemy, or the spirit of all evil. The literal translation might be "hero," used in a sarcastic sense. The meaning is that he is a mighty one at mischief. We read in Isaiah 5:22 , of men who are heroes at drinking. We have... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 52:1

CONTENTS We have here David arraigning Doeg the Edomite for the murder of the priests, and pointing to God's justice, which must follow. David takes comfort, under such persecutions of the wicked, in the goodness of God. To the chief musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Psalms 52:1 It should seem that this descendant of Esau, like one of that stock, delighting in persecuting the children of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 52:1

Maeleth, or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians: for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum; (Challoner) and Aquila, "for dancing." Sixtus V, &c., read incorrectly, "for Amalec." --- The psalm is nearly the same with the 13th, (Calmet) except ver. 6. (Menochius) --- We know not the reason why David gave this second copy, omitting the name of Jehovah. (Berthier) --- St. Augustine explains it of the dangers of the latter times. (Worthington) --- It seems to speak of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 52:1-5

1-5 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... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 52:1-9

The Punishment of Evil Tongues. To the chief musician, for use in public worship, Maschil, a didactic anthem, a psalm of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech, the entire narrative being found 1 Samuel 19-22, especially 21:1-10 and 22:1-10. This notice does not indicate the exact time when the psalm was composed, but the incident which occasioned it. v. 1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, for Doeg proudly set forth... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:0To the chief Musician, Maschil, a Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?The goodness of God endureth continually.2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs:Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.3 Thou lovest evil more than good;And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.4 Thou lovest all devouring words,O thou deceitful... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 52:1-9

the Boaster and the Truster Psalms 52:1-9 The inscription of this psalm describes its origin. The contrast which it presents is full of instruction. The ungodly is often a mighty man in the estimation of the world. He boasts mischief; his tongue resembles the razor, which inflicts sharp and deep wounds; his words devour reputations, family-peace, and souls. What a contrast is presented by the humble believer who trusts, not in wealth which vanishes, but in God’s mercy which abides forever!... read more