Psalm 52

When the World seems unfair, Lean heavily on the One Who Is!

“Let us lean on God with all our weight. Let us throw ourselves on His faithfulness as we on our beds, bringing all our weariness to His dear rest.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Do the people who hang around you become bitter or better are they more obedient to God or to man because of our influence?

Saul/Doeg, David and his renegade men

David is running from Saul who has made many attempts to kill him. 1 Sam 18:11, 25; 1 Sam 19:1-2, 10, 11, 15, 20; 1 Sam 20:33, 1 Sam 21:10; 1 Sam 23:8, 9-14, 15; 1 Sam 24:2; 1 Sam 26:2-4

Background Scripture 1 Samuel 21:1-10; 1 Samuel 22:5-23

Doeg The Edomite (Edomite a descendant of Edom, or Esau; inhabitant of Edom: Gen. 36) Saul’s chief Herdsman. Dangerous, ungodly, one who would do anything to obtain, wealth, status and favor with the King.

Ahimelech - 1Sa 14:3 ; called Ahiah. 1Sa 22:9-19 ; called also Abiathar. Mar 2:26

Nob- a priestly city in the Benjamin situated on some eminence north but near Jerusalem. Place of the Tabernacle.

David asks for bread- Jesus in Mark 2 states that a people need supersedes the TRADITION of the law.

David sees Doeg, he knows it is not good but he continues into hiding ONLY to hear later how Doeg has used this to further his position with the King. At this point David doesn’t probably doesn’t know about the murders only

A Psalm, the first of four consecutive psalms written by David for the director of music (Psa 52-55)

Each Psalm finds David expressing his confidence in God even though he and his men are under attack by their enemy.

The effects of a deception in a man who has been called by God – 1 Sam 21:1-2

The effects of anger and jealousy in a man who has been called by God

The effects of offering your opinion to further your cause

The effects of God’s Grace in a man/people called by God

V1 Doeg thought he was a hero, and word has gotten back to David of his boasting. He had planted a seed, a word that the King was willing to receive and act on. Words that found fertile ground.

Who do you speak for? John 3:34 For he is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God's Spirit is upon him without measure or limit.

v2 Your thoughts control your tongue, you think, you act. Words are like whetted razors, sharpened arrows, and a two edged sword. Weapons of destruction. An expert in telling lies.

vv3-4 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. Matt 15:19 NLT

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be! "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matt 6:19-23 NLT

v5 But God will strike ( 1) to pull down 2) to break down, break off ) you down once and for all.

He will pull ( to take hold of, seize, take away, pile up, snatch up; to pull or tear away) you from your home

and drag (to be rooted up) you from the land of the living.

Doeg chooses to turn from God and sold himself for the lure of man and his treasures

David uses the idea of a plant being crushed, pull up from the ground and totally uprooted, suggesting no life would be left in Doeg as a result of his tongue. (He hasn’t heard of the murders he so willingly committed).

vv 6-7 They were rejoicing because Doeg would be punished. They were rejoicing about right over wrong. They didn’t get know about the forgiveness offered at the cross. They rejoiced in judgement. We know to pray for forgiveness not vengeance. We follow the example of Christ. Had David killed Doeg when he saw him in the Tabernacle, he would have been the guilty one but instead he leaned on God’s direction – Isa 8:11-14 and was found faithful. Because of this his heart is right before God and He is in a place to praise God for His provision.

David leads by Example vv8-9

He turns to pray, he meditates on his standing with God

But I am like an olive tree ,(the longest living and the most prolific of all trees) thriving ( to grow or develop vigorously; flourish) in the house of God. I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever. David’s relationship with God is evident. Just look at the Olive tree.

He shares words of life as he speaks of his absolute confidence in God

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.

He leads by example

I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.

I might be…………….but I am flourishing in the presence of God!

We have to ask ourselves the question, where is the mercy, when others are lying and causing pain in my life? Where was the mercy for the priests and their families? Why does bad things happen to good people?

David trusted God’s mercies without reservation. He knew that God was Sovereign and that He would have the last word. He rejoiced in God, not in the circumstances. Eternity is coming. God is our stronghold, our fortress, our refuge, our strong tower, a very present help in time of need. He is our hiding place.

Think about Cain and Abel- Abel lived a life that was pleasing to God yet his life was taken in anger.It seems so wrong and it was but he was first to see God after the destruction of sin.