Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 52. This psalm enables the faithful to develop confidence in God's care and protection, particularly when surrounded by ruthless enemies. The title sets the psalm during David's flight from Saul (1 Sam. 21:1-7), which led to the slaughter at Nob of the priests who had helped David (1 Sam. 22:9-19). Doeg's report put the priests' hospitality to David in the worst light (see note on 1 Sam. 22:10); when none of Saul's Israelite men would strike the priests down, Doeg willingly did so. He is thus an example of the enemies that the faithful might face.

52:1-4 The Gloating Evildoer. This section has the speech of the enemy in view, as can be seen from boast (v. 1), tongue (vv. 2, 4), lying (v. 3), and words (v. 4). But the speech of this enemy is not only false in itself, it is using falsehood to plot destruction for the faithful. The most important answer to such evil is the confidence that the steadfast love of God endures all the day (v. 1; cf. v. 8).