Psalm 52 Commentary
Chapters 21 and 22 of the Book of First Samuel provide context for this psalm. Interestingly, there is very little evidence in this psalm of David’s real trouble and danger during this time. As a consequence of David’s visit to Ahimelech at Nob, King Saul murdered the entire town on suspicion that they sided with David.
Doeg, the Edomite had been the informant.
Not too many years passed and David would sit on Israel’s throne while Doeg probably perished with his master King Saul. An olive tree flourished in the House of God.
However, David’s reaction in the moment of crisis should attract our attention. He declares God’s unfailing love in the face of adversity. And he has space in his heart for praise. “For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.” Verse 9a. Admirable! Saints who have learned the secret of prayer know just how difficult it is to shout in the presence of God. Very hot issues simply melt down into nothing.
Hope should be impossible after the events in First Samuel chapters 21 and 22. But David still says: “I will hope in your name, for your name is good.“
It should be the effect of prayer that the saint hopes in the midst of the tempest. It is actually during this time that David pretended to be insane at Gath. A man who can still praise the LORD for a solution that is humanly speaking less honorable should be admired.
It is an attitude that separates David from the rest.
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