Psalm 52:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

NIV: For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

NASB: I will praise You forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.

CSB: I will praise you forever for what you have done. In the presence of your faithful people, I will put my hope in your name, for it is good.

NLT: 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.

KJV: I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

NKJV: I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

David has expressed condemnation of an evil man (Psalm 52:1–4) and his expectation that God will bring divine judgment (Psalm 52:5–7). At the time David wrote these words, the evil person's sin (1 Samuel 22:17–19) had not yet been avenged. Yet the psalm speaks with confidence, as if these things have already been done. David expresses his intention to "wait for" God, meaning a contented choice to patiently anticipate God's goodness coming to pass. The proper response to the Lord's will is praise and appreciation. As a musician and psalm writer, David often praised God "in the presence" of others who honored the Lord.

Believers have many reasons to be thankful. God keeps them secure throughout all their days, even when circumstances are dangerous and unhappy (John 10:28; Ephesians 1:13–14; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5). First Thessalonians 5:18 exhorts believers to "give thanks in all circumstances" and states that this is the will of God for them. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul urged his readers to refrain from speaking offensively. He writes, "but instead let there be thanksgiving" (Ephesians 5:4).

Psalm 52:5–9 closes the song condemning Doeg, the herdsman who betrayed innocent priests to their deaths (Psalm 52:1; 1 Samuel 22:9–10, 17–19). David predicts God's punishment of the evil man. He expects the Lord to snuff out Doeg's life, to the satisfaction of the righteous. In contrast, David is confident God will prosper him, because he prefers what is good and right. In response to God's goodness, David will thank and praise Him.

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.