Ps 52

The Strong man and the Suffering believer

(Psalm 52)

Good morning. I hope you all have had enough coffee, because today we are going to be addressing a difficult question one often faces in their spiritual life: how do I deal with emotions that arise when I am treated unjustly? What do I do when I feel these strong emotions, that are not particularly “Christian,” like anger, bitterness, and guilt. How should I act when I feel things I think I “shouldn’t be feeling” in response to the actions of others? Should I suppress those feelings and pretend like they are not there? Should I give them full reign and “be true to myself” ? Is there another option for the believer? Those are the questions I propose to begin to address today, so let’s get started.

Today we are going to be in Psalms 52, so if you have your Bibles, please open to that passage and keep the Bibles open throughout our time today. My plan for our time is as follows: First, we will gain some valuable background information on our psalm. Next, we will walk through the text, analyzing it as we go. Finally, we will see how we might apply this text to our lives today.

Before we proceed, I have a question to ask, and there is no need to raise your hands. How many of you, when you read a psalm like this, skip over verses 1 and 2? I know that is certainly my tendency. I might read it, but only so I can get to the “good stuff” that follows. Unfortunately, this reveals a significant flaw in our study of the Bible. If every word of scripture is God breathed, then we would do well to pay attention to each one. In this case, the first two verses of the psalm provide us the key to understand everything that follows. Au chef de chœur. Cantique de David, 2 lorsque Doëg, l’Edomite, vint dire à Saül: «David s’est rendu dans la maison d’Achimélec.» ideessdf The The verses themselves are not particularly revealing, but they allude to an event found in the Old Testament, and by going back and reading that full event, we gain tremendous insight into the situation. The story itself is found in 1 Samuel 21 and 22. It is a bit long, so we won’t read it together this morning, but I would invite you to go back and read it in it’s entirety and then reread the psalm later this evening. For now, I will summarize the events.

The story begins with David on the run from King Saul. David has just discovered that Saul intends to kill him the next time he sees him, so David is fleeing with some of his trusted men. David has done nothing wrong, but is being pursued nonetheless. David and his men come to a town called Nob, where the priests of the Lord live. David lies to the priests, telling them that they are on a secret mission for Saul, and request supplies and food. The priests provide what they can, and David continues on his way, but not before a man named Doeg the Edomite, who is the head herdsman for Saul, sees David and his men. Doeg returns to Saul and tells him that he saw David on the run, and then describes the situation in such a way that it appears that the priests were conspiring with David to help him overthrow Saul, which was clearly not true. Armed with this lie, Saul confronts the priests, who deny his accusation. Nonetheless, Saul commands his soldiers to kill all the priests, their families, and their village. The soldiers refuse, so Doeg volunteers, and proceeds to kill 85 priests as well as all the inhabitants of their city, “both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey, and sheep.” One priest, however, escapes and finds David and tells him all that has happened. David says, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house.”

Imagine that you are David. Imagine how you might feel in his shoes: You are fleeing for your life. You have left behind your home and your wife, and are being chased by your father-in-law, who is the king of Israel and intends to kill you if he ever sees you again. You lie to the priests of God to get the supplies you need, and because of your lie, that priest, as well as his entire family and city are dead, save one man. Imagine the emotions David is feeling. Fear for his own life. Rage at the men who have slaughtered innocent men, women, and children. Guilt over the fact that it was his lie that started the whole process in motion. Hatred for Doeg, who willingly lied and murdered for his own selfish gain. I am sure there are many more, but I think you get the idea.

With these thoughts in mind, let’s now turn our attention to our Psalm, Psalm 52. The first two verses now carry significantly more meaning, no? This psalm is David’s response to these tragic events. So, let’s see how he, inspired by the Holy Spirit, deals with this horrific situation.

He begins with a kind of thesis statement that summarizes the whole psalm: “Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of the Lord endures all the day.” Given the description he provides of this mighty man, we can safely assume he is addressing Doeg the Edomite, but it is left vague purposefully, because Doeg here serves as a type. He represents the powerful, influential worker of evil that the believer is likely to encounter as they sojourn in this world. One thinks of a men like Hitler, Mussolini, or Stalin, but this could also apply more locally to individuals like the corrupt policeman, malicious boss, or abusive parent or relative. Some in this room have suffered under men and women like this, and many more are likely to suffer under these kinds individuals before our time on earth is finished. In that light, David’s response here is fascinating. He asks, why do you boast in evil?

I find that question interesting, because the answer to me seems pretty obvious: he is boasting because his evil actions are achieving their desired results. He has become a mighty man (verset 3). He has wealth and influence (verset 9). He is able to create destruction with his words (verset 6). He is trusted. He tells lies and people believe him (verset 4 et 5). He has real power and he has gotten it all while rejecting God (verset 9). From a worldly perspective, he has many reasons to boast. I appreciate David’s honesty here. He acknowledges all of these facts and he calls them out. Sadly, this is where most of us stop when faced with injustice and abuse. We focus on the present realities, and we conclude that God is either not there, too weak to do anything, or indifferent to our suffering.

Fortunately David doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just look at present circumstances. He looks to both the eternal reality as well as to the future, and more importantly, to the One who controls the future. He says, in verset 3, “The steadfast love of the Lord endures all the day.” David casts his eyes to the God he loves and serves, and recites to himself the eternal truths he knows. He comforts himself by reminding himself of the steadfast love of the Lord for him, which never ends. He also reminds himself of the another comforting truth about a future reality. In Verset 5 he says "But God will break you down

forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.” While at first glance this seems quite harsh, once we get the context for these verses, we understand them better. This individual being addressed is one who gladly murders the priests of God. He kills men, women, children, and infants for his own personal gain. I have a wife and a son. I imagine a man murdering them without a second thought, and I begin to understand David’s perspective. It is both right and just that this man be punished. While David does not seek vengeance himself, he does acknowledge the comforting truth that evil will not go unpunished forever. God is neither absent nor indifferent. While he delays judgement so that some might repent and turn to him, he does not delay forever. There will come a day when all men will give an account for every one of their actions, and be recompensed accordingly. And that day will come when it is least expected, see the terms snatch and tear. See also verse 5, God will break you down forever. The punishment is not temporary. Such an individual will be punished eternally in hell. Though none of us find hell a pleasant idea, consider the alternative. Consider a god who did not punish such wickedness, but rather said, “that’s ok, no problem, I’m sure it was an honest mistake” Fortunately, our God is no such God. He is just and he cares about the sufferings of his people.

Continuing on to verse 9: the righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him. Here again we have a phrase that seems odd on first pass. However, as we consider the context, it becomes more clear. This man terrorizes the righteous. He lies and murders for selfish gain. His life meant suffering and mourning for countless. Now his death and judgement mean joy for those who are freed from his tyranny. It also means glory for God. This man rejected God’s commands and lordship, and destroyed God’s creation without a second thought. But God will have the victory. He will show His power by removing this man from the earth at the moment he, the sovereign Lord of creation, sees fit, and there is nothing this man or anyone else can do to stay his hand. Such power creates reverent fear in the believer.

Moving on to the final section of our psalm, we see David look to his own spiritual realities, which stand in stark contrast to his present, felt realities. Unlike the wicked man who is currently thriving, but will be uprooted by the Lord, David is currently suffering, but is nonetheless planted firmly in the Lord. His confidence lies, not in the strength or depth of his own roots, but in the Lord. It is the Lord who guards and watches over that house, so David is confident that none shall uproot him. He trusts in the love of the Lord that acts as his soil, which is unchanging, lasting forever and ever. In contrast to the wicked man who will be broken down forever, the author is confident that he will experience the love of this great God forever. What’s more, he responds with grateful worship now for the blessings he will receive, because such promises deserve worship and thanksgiving. Finally, he resolves to wait with patience for all these things to come to pass. And he knows they will, because they are tied to the “name” of the Lord, which represents his character and his identity, which never change. Finally, he finds comfort in the community of the faithful who surround him and wait alongside him.

His confidence is in the Lord. It is the Lord who owns the house where he is planted. He is it’s guardian, so David need fear no man. It is the Lord’s love that acts as his soil, holding him fast. With such solid, nurturing foundation he need not fear uprooting. It is the Lord’s will that has planted him there, so he need not fear being uprooted like the evil man. It is the Lord’s people he is planted among, so he knows he is not alone. Since it is the Lord who has done all this, David responds with grateful worship and

praise, both now and forever. Finally, he resolves to wait with patience for all these things to come to pass. And he knows they will, because they are tied to the “name” of the Lord, which represents his character and his identity, which never change. Finally, he finds comfort in the community of the faithful who surround him and wait alongside him.

Now, having analyzed our passage, how shall we apply it to our lives? I have three ideas, and we will close.

First, for the believer who is suffering or has suffered unjustly at the hands of such a mighty man or woman; follow David’s lead. Acknowledge and name the evil done. Don’t try to hide the pain or suffering. Acknowledge and mourn that which has been lost. Don’t seek vengeance or revenge. Remind yourself that the Lord withholds punishment from the wicked so as to give them time to repent, but that season does not last forever. Pray for them, that they might see their sin and repent, turning from it to the Lord God, their creator and trust that he will distribute justice in his way and in his timing. Finally, remember that if you are in Christ, your roots are firmly planted in the Lord. He is with you now in the midst of your suffering, and you will be with him in his house forever. His love is yours and is unchanging. Meditate on these things and take heart. The Lord will vindicate his name among the nations. Finally, lean into your community of faith. If you are not part of a group de communaute, I would strongly recommend finding one, as it is these brothers and sisters who God has ordained to come alongside you and support you during your earthly pilgrimage.

Next, for everyone in the room, believer and nonbeliever alike. When we read a psalm like this, we tend to read ourselves into David’s role, and that is reasonable. This was the author's intent. However, if we look at the whole counsel of scripture, we realize that in our natural state, the one in which we were born, we are all, in fact, in the place of the mighty man. Sure, we may not murder or plot other’s destruction, but we all naturally love evil more than good and lying more than speaking the truth. If you don't believe me, just look at our entertainment. Our flesh loves to watch sin in all of it’s various manifestations. What's more, if we are honest, our flesh naturally prefers lying, gossip, slander, lust, and all other evil things to righteousness and obedience to the commands of Christ. Are you still unconvinced? Consider then, where you go for refuge when times get hard. If you are not a Christian, I bet you run to things like relationships, money, fame, power, praise from men or women, sex, drugs, pornography, just to name a few. Like the mighty man, you seek refuge somewhere other than the Lord, and you refuse to make God your refuge. I know this because I was once just like you. When I was hurting I ran to pornography and the approval of people to medicate my pain. But, as you know well, it never really worked. Sure it numbed the pain for a moment, but when that wore off, I was worse off than before. Why do I belabor this point? I do so because of what it reveals to us about ourselves. All these things reveal that, without intervention, we are headed toward the same end as the mighty man, namely, a sudden death and eternal punishment. The incredible news is that someone has intervened. While we deserve to be snatched from our tents and broken down by God forever, we have another option. God has loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, into the world. While we were dead in our sins, Christ lived the perfect sinless life we could not. While we were living a life separated from God, he died in our place on the cross. The snatching, tearing, and breaking down that our sin deserves was poured out on Christ, the only one who never deserved it. He took the father’s wrath for sin on

himself and drank it to the dregs. Then he died and three days later, rose again. And now he sits at his Father’s right hand, ruling and reigning, and he will return to judge the living and the dead and then inaugurate his eternal kingdom. Today he extends to all the same offer: repent of and turn from your life of rebellion and sin against God, believe that Jesus has done all the work necessary to make you righteous and bring you into a right relationship with God, and receive his free gift of eternal life, following him and loving him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. For the believers, rejoice in this, your salvation. This is why you are planted in the house of God. Jesus is why you will know the love of God forever. Praise His Holy Name.

For the nonbelievers, I would tell you, consider these words. I have no desire to coerce or try to scare anyone into following Jesus. However, I cannot ignore the plain council of scripture. The choice is before you: Trust in Christ and his work on the cross and be firmly planted in the house of God forever, or refuse to take refuge in the Lord, and receive the same ultimate end as the mighty man in our passage. The choice is entirely yours. I could wish there was a third option, some middle ground or exception, but you will not find one in scripture. The Bible says we are either dead in our sins and enslaved to the god of this world or alive in Christ, servants of the Most High God. There are only two options. I would counsel you, come to this sweet savior, forsaking your life of sin. He loves you, just as you are. Turn from your life of sin and be planted in the house of God forever. The offer stands open to you. Today is the day of salvation. Let’s pray.