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"Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?  The steadfast love of God endures all the day."

~ Psalm 52:1

 

In this psalm, David makes a clear contrast. The evil man will not stand forever, but David will be established forever because the steadfast love of his God stands forever. 

The superscription gives us the context of this psalm. It reads, “To the choirmaster. A maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, ‘David has come to the house of Ahimelech.’” This account is found in 1 Samuel 21 & 22. David is on the run from Saul and comes upon the city of Nob (1 Sam. 21:1). David requests provisions from Ahimelech the priest, and bread (1 Sam. 21:6) and a sword (1 Sam. 21:9) are given to him. But while he was there, Doeg the Edomite knew this took place (1 Sam. 21:7). He later told Saul that David had received help from the priest (1 Sam. 22:9-10). King Saul commands Doeg to kill the priests, even though Ahimelech pleaded that he did not know David was on the run (1 Sam. 22:15, 18a). The Edomite killed 85 priests and also put to the sword the whole city of Nob (1 Sam. 22:18-29). 

Doeg is a clear example of an evil man. David describes the evil, mighty man as one who boasts of evil (v.1), plots destruction with their tongue (v.2a), is a worker of deceit (v.2b), loves evil more than good (v.3a), loves lying more than truth (v.3b), and loves words that devour (v.4). 

But David poses this question, “Why do you boast of evil”? (v.1a). He then makes this statement, “The steadfast love of God endures all the day” (v.1b). There is no reason to boast as God is going to break down the evil man forever and uproot him from the land of the living (v.5). 

Those who are righteous will be established forever in the steadfast love of God. David pictures himself as a green olive tree in the house of God (v.8). Rather than being uprooted like the evil man, he has firm roots in his loving God. He will give Him thanks forever (v. 9). 

When you see evil men living wickedly, do not be dismayed. God has determined their end; they will be stopped. Trust in God that the righteous will live forever. Be patient and hold on to the hope that you have, just as David says, “I will wait for your name, for it is good” (v. 9b). 

For those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, we have the hope of Christ’s return. While we see evil now, we know that Christ will judge those who do evil. We can be patient and hopeful, as we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).