Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; or, malignities — evils of the worst kind. It was Doeg's "tongue" that brought about the entire ghastly massacre (see 1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:10 ). Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Doeg had "worked deceitfully," since he had not told Saul the circumstances that made Ahimelech's giving aid to David no disloyalty to the king ( 1 Samuel 21:2 , 1 Samuel 21:8 ). The suppressio veri is a suggestio falsi. read more
Thou lovest evil more than good. To "love evil" is to have reached the lowest depth of depravity. It is to say, with Milton's Satan, "Evil, be thou my good!" And lying rather than to speak righteousness (see the comment on Psalms 52:2 ). Doeg's crimes seem to have arisen out of a mere love of evil. read more
Thou lovest all devouring words . "Devouring words" are words that cause ruin and destruction. O thou deceitful tongue! or, and the deceitful tongue. read more
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs - The word rendered “mischiefs” means(a) desire, cupidity: Proverbs 10:3; then(b) fall, ruin, destruction, wickedness: Psalms 5:9; Psalms 38:12.The meaning here is, that he made use of his tongue to ruin others. Compare Psalms 50:19. The particular thing referred to here is the fact that Doeg sought the ruin of others by giving “information” in regard to them. He “informed” Saul of what Ahimelech had done; he informed him where David had been, thus giving him,... read more
Thou lovest evil more than good - Thou dost prefer to do injury to others, rather than to do them good. In the case referred to, instead of aiding the innocent, the persecuted, and the wronged, he had attempted to reveal the place where he might be found, and where an enraged enemy might have an opportunity of wreaking his vengeance upon him.And lying rather than to speak righteousness - He preferred a lie to the truth; and, when he supposed that his own interest would be subserved by it, he... read more
Thou lovest all devouring words - All words that tend to devour or “swallow up” reputation and happiness. Luther, “Thou speakest gladly all things (anything) that will serve to destruction.” Anything, everything, that will serve to ruin people. The word rendered “devouring” - בלע bela‛ - occurs only here and in Jeremiah 51:44, though the verb from which it is derived occurs frequently: Isaiah 28:4; Exodus 7:12; Jonah 2:1 Jon 1:17; Genesis 41:7, Genesis 41:24, et al. The verb means to swallow;... read more
Psalms 52:2. Thy tongue deviseth mischief That is, expresses what thy wicked mind had devised. Thus skilfulness is ascribed to those hands which are governed by a skilful man, Psalms 78:72. Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully Wherewith a person, pretending only to shave off the hair, doth suddenly and unexpectedly cut a man’s throat. So Doeg, pretending only to vindicate himself from the imputation of disloyalty, 1 Samuel 22:8, really intended to expose the priests, who were friends... read more
Psalms 52:4-5. Thou lovest all devouring words Hebrew, דברי בלע , dibree balang, all the words of devouring, or destruction; that is, such calumnies as are the most pernicious in their nature, and as may most effectually involve others in utter destruction: such as might swallow up and destroy a whole family at once. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever That is, totally and unavoidably, as thou didst destroy the priests. He shall pluck thee Violently, irresistibly, and suddenly... read more
Psalms 52-54 Those who act treacherouslyWhen David fled from Saul he obtained urgently needed provisions from the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 21:1-9). He was seen by Doeg, an Edomite and a servant of Saul, who reported the matter to Saul. In a typical fit of mad vengeance, Saul ordered Doeg to kill all the priests at Nob, something that Doeg was very willing to do (1 Samuel 22:6-23). On hearing of Doeg’s butchery, David wrote a poem against him, which has been preserved in the Bible as Psalms 52:0... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 52:1-9
"This psalm is A stern upbraiding addressed to the man who, unscrupulous in the exercise of his power, and proud of his wealth, finds his delight in all the arts of the practised liar." I. THE ARROGANCE OF A WICKED MAN IN WORLDLY POWER . 1 . He boasts of the evil which he does. He is not ashamed of his wickedness. 2 . He is bent upon ever new forms of mischief. Works deceitfully, and not openly, and his tongue, as the instrument of his mind, is ever... read more