Psalm 52:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah

NIV: You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.

NASB: You love evil more than good, Lies more than speaking what is right. Selah

CSB: You love evil instead of good, lying instead of speaking truthfully. Selah

NLT: You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. Interlude

KJV: Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

NKJV: You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

David has condemned Doeg, the Edomite herder who murdered innocent priests at the command of King Saul (1 Samuel 22:9–10, 17–19). This seems to have involved deceit (Psalm 52:2), possibly by Doeg exaggerating how much aid the priests had given to David, whom Saul perceived as an enemy. Doeg's evil words led to the slaughter of many people (Psalm 52:2). His motive was probably self-promotion. Rather than being honest, or declaring Saul's order to murder priests a sin, he preferred to do what was wrong.

Jesus warned His disciples about evil men who would persecute them. He said, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake" (Matthew 24:9). Jesus described the Devil and the scribes and Pharisees as liars. He told them: "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

The Hebrew word selah is not well understood. It seems to refer to a musical pause, or to be a call for reflection.

Psalm 52:1–4 depicts a "mighty man." The description is probably sarcastic: it refers to the herdsman Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9–10) who betrayed David and murdered priests (1 Samuel 22:17–19). David's song portrays Doeg as someone who brags about his own sin and whose words are maliciously dangerous. He practices evil despite God's unfailing, endless love. That love will lead to judgment for those who practice such evil (Psalm 52:5).

David addresses "mighty man," possibly with a touch of sarcasm. This person brags about his intentions, and his words destroy others. However, God will punish this wicked person by bringing about his death. The righteous will see this judgment and mock those who trusted in their resources instead of trusting in the Lord. By contrast, David trusts God's unfailing love forever, resulting in his continuous praise of the Lord. This song was written in response to the treachery of Doeg, who betrayed one of David's allies (1 Samuel 22:9–10) and killed many priests (1 Samuel 22:17–19).

This psalm describes the wicked character of someone addressed as "mighty man." This was Doeg, a herdsman who supported King Saul against David. Doeg slaughtered the household of Ahimelech because Ahimelech helped David by giving him provisions (1 Samuel 21:1–9; 22:6–23). While not as famous as others, this is one of the "imprecatory psalms" which call for God's judgment against evildoers (Psalm 35; 69; 109).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.