Psalms 52:5

PROPHECY OF GOD'S PUNISHMENT OF DOEG

"God will likewise destroy thee forever;

He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent,

And root thee out of the land of the living.

(Selah)

The righteous also shall see it and fear,

And shall laugh at him, saying,

Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength,

But trusted in the abundance of his riches,

And strengthened himself in his wickedness."; "God will likewise destroy thee" (Psalms 52:5). "The word `likewise' introduces the corresponding behavior of another. Destroyers shall be destroyed. `With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again'" (Matthew 7:2).[11]

"Pluck thee out of thy tent" (Psalms 52:5). This is another sarcastic word in the psalm. Saul's mighty deputy, in all probability, was not living in a tent, but in a palace; but it was as vulnerable to the judgment of God as the flimsiest kind of a tent could have been. "This is a reference to the psalmist's own dwelling."[12]

"The righteous shall laugh at him" (Psalms 52:6). "Laugh over him" is the rendition favored by some. "These words indicate delight in God's moral government of the world, rather than personal vindictiveness."[13]

"Trusted in the abundance of his riches" (Psalms 52:7). This is a recurring theme in the psalms, anticipating, as it does the teaching of the New Testament. We observed in Psalms 49 that riches can last only until certain and impending death, and not always that long. The apostle's warning on riches is as follows:

"They that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

"Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

"And strengthened himself in his wickedness" (Psalms 52:7). "Doeg's high position under Saul led to an excessive trust in riches and greediness for more gain. To procure wealth he became Saul's unscrupulous tool, the willing instrument of his cruelty. Saul no doubt richly rewarded him; and thus, `He strengthened himself in his wickedness.'"[14]