In The Word
Read: Psalms 52 – 54
Psalm 52
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”
1 Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
2 All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
3 You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth. Interlude
4 You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
5 But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living. Interlude
6 The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
9 I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
Psalm 53
For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm of David.
1 Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
2 God looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!
4 Will those who do evil never learn?
They eat up my people like bread
and wouldn’t think of praying to God.
5 Terror will grip them,
terror like they have never known before.
God will scatter the bones of your enemies.
You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
When God restores his people,
Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.
Psalm 54
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
2 Listen to my prayer, O God.
Pay attention to my plea.
3 For strangers are attacking me;
violent people are trying to kill me.
They care nothing for God. Interlude
4 But God is my helper.
The Lord keeps me alive!
5 May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them.
Do as you promised and put an end to them.
6 I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;
I will praise your name, O Lord,
for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from my troubles
and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Psalm 52 was written regarding Doeg the Edomite, who saw David visit Ahimelech, the priest, during the time that King Saul was trying to kill David (I Samuel 21-22). King Saul ordered Doeg to kill Ahimelech, along with everyone in his city, because Ahimelech allowed David to have consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath.
Psalm 54 was written regarding the Ziphites coming and saying to Saul, “Is not David hiding himself among us?”(I Samuel 23).
David was anointed to be the next king, but at this time he was waiting on God’s timing to assume the throne. He was King Saul’s faithful servant, his son-in-law, captain of the guard, and risking his life to protect King Saul and the people of Israel, including Doeg and the Ziphites who called Saul their king. David was living in a way that pleased God, but that did not mean it was easy. We should expect to be persecuted when we are truly living for Him (John 15:18-21).
When people reject God and make pleasing men and gaining riches their priority, the enemy can easily use them for his purposes. God uses people and so does the enemy (John 8:44). Doeg killed eighty-five priests. The Ziphites helped Saul surround and almost capture David. We should not be surprised if people betray us or let us down. Our faith and trust is in the One who sustains our soul and delivers us from all trouble. Thank Him for His faithfulness today!