Psalms 52:1-9 - Homilies By C. Short

"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 plotting fresh devices of evil.

3 . He loves false speaking and false ways more than the true. The wickedness is ingrained, and not merely resorted to for a purpose.

4 . He exults in material riches. Thinks they can carry him through, and enable him to brave all consequences.

II. THE CERTAINTY OF HIS OVERTHROW .

1 . The goodness of God will ensure it . God loves the good; and his love for them endureth for ever—ensuring the overthrow of the wicked.

2 . The sure connection of guilt and punishment. ( Psalms 52:5 .) The psalmist had no hesitation in predicting his future fall.

III. THE SYMPATHY WHICH GOOD MEN FEEL WITH GOD 'S RIGHTEOUS WORK . ( Psalms 52:6 .) They are filled with a holy filial fear ; and they rejoice at the triumph of the right and the true over the unjust and the untrue.

IV. GOD 'S GOODNESS GIVES CONFIDENCE AND THANKFULNESS TO THE RIGHTEOUS ( Psalms 52:8 , Psalms 52:9 .) Trust, praise, and patience wait upon thy Name.—S.