Psalms
Chapter 52
Why Do You Glory in Evil, O Mighty One?
Why boast of your wickedness, strong man? Why boast all day long,
that you are plotting crimes? Your tongue is like a sharp razor;
you love evil more than good, and falsehood more than truth.
You love words that inflict harm, O you deceitful tongue!
But God will bring you down forever; he will snatch you; tear you away from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.
The good will know fear at the sight; they will say, concerning his fate:
“See the one who would not rely on God, but trusted in riches, and drew strength from wickedness.”
But I am as a green olive tree that thrives in the house of God: I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
I will praise you forever, for all you have done; and proclaim your good name before the faithful ones.
Commentaries
52
It is rare and somewhat unsettling to find a psalmist condemning an individual. It can be embarrassing in public worship. The only solution might be to sing the psalm as if it were directed against oneself. But perhaps it is impious to suggest that the first part should not be sung at all. When revelation has progressed to the point where earlier attitudes are no longer acceptable, it may be better to ignore them. No word of God is ever meaningless, but that does not mean it speaks directly to us. It was enough for the psalmist to condemn the liar. We have learned only to condemn the lie.
Wherever power is promoted at the expense of human dignity, we could pray this psalm, which offers the choice between trusting in money/power and in God. Jesus has shown us the way and taught us to be humble. If we follow Jesus’ path, we can enjoy God’s unfailing love forever and always.