Psalm 52:1-5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 52:4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 52:5

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever. As thy "devouring words" have been the destruction of many, so shall God, in return, "destroy thee" (literally, pull thee down ) "for ever"—destroy thee, i.e; with a complete and final destruction. He shall take thee away ; rather, seize thee (Kay, Cheyne), and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place; literally, out of thy tent (comp. Job 18:14 ; 1 Kings 12:16 ). And root thee out of the land of the living . Destroy thee, root and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:1

Why boastest thou thyself in Mischief? - Why dost thou “exult” in that which is wrong? Why dost thou find pleasure in evil rather than in good? Why dost thou seek to triumph in the injury done to others? The reference is to one who prided himself on schemes and projects which tended to injure others; or who congratulated himself on the success which attended his efforts to wrong other people.O mighty man - DeWette and Luther render this, “tyrant.” The original word would be properly applied to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:2

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:3

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:4

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:5

God shall likewise destroy thee for ever - Margin, “beat thee down.” The Hebrew word means to “tear, to break down, to destroy:” Leviticus 14:45; Judges 6:30. The reference here is not to the “tongue” alluded to in the previous verses, but to Doeg himself. The language in the verse is intensive and emphatic. The main idea is presented in a variety of forms, all designed to denote utter and absolute destruction - a complete and entire sweeping away, so that nothing should be left. The word... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:1

Psalms 52:1. Why boastest thou thyself &c. As if thou hadst done a great exploit, which none else durst undertake; and thereby established the crown upon Saul’s head, and thyself in his favour; and frustrated all David’s designs, by striking a terror into all his friends, by this sad example; O mighty man? He speaks ironically. O valiant captain! O glorious action! To kill a few weak and unarmed persons in the king’s presence, and under the protection of his guards. Surely thy name... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:2

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:4-5

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 52:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 52:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 52:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 52:4-5

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