Psalm 52:2-4 NLT,NIV,ESV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 52:1-9

Title.—(RV) ’For the Chief Musician. Maschil of David: when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.’ In some respects Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9) might stand for the original of the wicked man in this Ps., but the absence of all reference to the massacre of the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 22:17-19) throws grave doubt upon the correctness of the title. The Ps. appears to reflect the social evils denounced by the prophets of later times (see Amos... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 52:2

(2) Working deceitfully.—Better, working guile. (For the metaphor, see Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4, &c) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 52:4

(4) Devouring words.—Literally, words of swallowing, such as swallow down (comp. Psalms 5:9, where the throat is called “an open sepulchre”) a neighbour’s life, honour, and goods. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:1-9THE progress of feeling in this psalm is clear, but there is no very distinct division into strophes and one of the two Selahs does not mark a transition, though it does make a pause. First, the poet, with a few indignant and contemptuous touches, dashes on his canvas an outline portrait of an arrogant oppressor, whose weapon was slander and his words like pits of ruin. Then, with vehement, exulting metaphors, he pictures his destruction. On it follow reverent awe of God, whose... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:0 The Proud and Boasting Man 1. The character of the man of sin (Psalms 52:1-7 ) 2. The character of the righteous (Psalms 52:8-9 ) The four Psalms which follow (all Maschil Psalms) give mostly a prophetic picture of the man of sin, the final Antichrist, the false messiah-king, under whom the godly in Israel will especially suffer. He is first described as the mighty man, the super-man, who boasts in evil. He is also a lying, deceitful man, “working deceitfully” and having a... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 52:2

52:2 Thy tongue deviseth {b} mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.(b) Your malice moves you by crafty flattery and lies to accuse and destroy the innocents. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 52:2-4

We shall not lose an atom of this subject, considered as to the persecutions of good men, by the evil in general, nor the sure judgment which sooner or later must follow; we shall not lose sight of the moral and religious improvements arising out of the subject, if, while we consider it in this point of view, we look at it also in a higher and more spiritual sense. Doeg was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau; and in all ages and generations the true Israel of God are exposed to the hatred and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 52:1-5

1-5 Those that glory in sin, glory in their shame. The patience and forbearance of God are abused by sinners, to the hardening of their hearts in their wicked ways. But the enemies in vain boast in their mischief, while we have God's mercy to trust in. It will not save us from the guilt of lying, to be able to say, there was some truth in what we said, if we make it appear otherwise than it was. The more there is of craft and contrivance in any wickedness, the more there is of Satan in it. When... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 52:1-9

The Punishment of Evil Tongues. To the chief musician, for use in public worship, Maschil, a didactic anthem, a psalm of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech, the entire narrative being found 1 Samuel 19-22, especially 21:1-10 and 22:1-10. This notice does not indicate the exact time when the psalm was composed, but the incident which occasioned it. v. 1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, for Doeg proudly set forth... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 52:1-9

Psalms 52:0To the chief Musician, Maschil, a Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?The goodness of God endureth continually.2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs:Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.3 Thou lovest evil more than good;And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.4 Thou lovest all devouring words,O thou deceitful... read more