1 To the chief musician; an instruction of David,
2 When Doeg the Edomite went in, and told Saul and said to him, David went to the house of Ahimelech.
3 Why boastest thou thyself in evil, mighty man? The mercy of God [is] all the day.
4 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, as a sharp razor, working deceit.
5 Thou hast loved evil [rather] than good, falsehood [rather] than speaking righteousness. Selah.
6 Thou hast loved all words of devouring, O tongue of deceit.
7 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever; he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of tent, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
8 The righteous also shall see and fear, and laugh at him.
9 Behold, the man (strong one) that made not God his strength, but confided in the abundance of his riches; he strengthened himself in his wickedness.
10 But for me, I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
11 I will praise thee for ever, for thou hast done [it], and I will hope in thy name, for [it is] good before thy saints.
Notes on Psalm 52
Here we have a psalm “To the chief musician upon Mahaleth: a psalm of instruction of David, when Doeg the Edomite went in, and told Saul and said to him, David went to the house of Ahimelech.” As we had the saints brought to renounce ceremonies as a substitute for righteousness and repentance, now we have the treacherous enemy portrayed, and the saints in their helpless exposure suffering, but delivered by the destruction that falls on the Edomite at the end, when good shall flourish like the olive and give thanks for ever.