Thursday, June 5, 2014

Psalm 52 “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God”



“Truth for Truckers” *March 22, 2014* Psalm 52 “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God”

     Seven Indictments of the Proud are the centerpiece of this Psalm as David describes Doeg the Edomite his enemy and compatriot of king Saul. The Psalm is listed as a Maschil meaning ‘For instruction’ and certainly provides a clear picture of the characteristics of a prideful man.‘Why boasts Thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.’ This verse sets the tone for all that follows as boasting in evil is contrasted with God’s eternal goodness. This first and identifying characteristic of boasting in self-accomplishments rather than giving God the glory for being the real cause of all accomplishments that are good uncovers his sinful attitude.

     The pride of man is the obvious source of Doeg’s boasting and it feeds the heart of man as the fountainhead for the remainder of the ungodly actions David describes in (v.2-4, 7). These actions that follow reveal the inner workings of the Godless heart, regulated by the vicious and animal-like desires of the flesh. ‘Thy tongue devises mischief like a sharp razor working deceitfully.’(v.2) The imaginations, schemes and plans are verbalized destruction, cutting with the organized working of lies and untruths in an effort to bring down their intended victim.

     ‘Thou love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.’ (v.3) Here, the contrasts are clear cut, David minces no words, but, speaks plainly and directly of the wicked motives of his enemy. Doeg’s gusto for the ungodly is clear, his devious and deceitful words are his choice as he rejects the truth and speads harmful lies instead.
‘Thou love all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.’ (v.4). In every indictment given up to this point, deceit is at the root of Doeg’s accusations of David. This emphasis underlies everything that is being said by this madman of dishonesty in order to slander the character of David.

     In (v.5) David tells of God’s reaction to this unjust liar: ‘God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.’ The destroyer will be destroyed eternally which looks forward to the eternal punishment of the wicked, but the graphic description of God’s actions show the temporal effects in the life of this wicked man who will be snatched from his place of abode, torn away from his tent, and uprooted from the ‘Land of the living’ which depicts a violent future judgment from God for this deceiver. The response of the righteous follows: ‘The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.’

     The initial response is ‘fear’ which describes the healthy reverential dread of God followed by laughter showing their knowledge of their position as safe from this type of judgment. And, what the righteous say reveals their full understanding of the situation. They know why this man received God’s judgment, for, he faithlessly rejected God, instead, he put his faith in his own wealth, and made the source of his strength wickedness which shows who his master really was...the wicked one himself, the devil!

     David contrasts his own position utilizing the word ‘But’ giving the righteous a picture of the faithful, and healthy believer. ‘I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.’ (v.8) Prosperity and the picture of health in the ‘House of God’ having faith in the eternal mercy of the living God describes David and all those who put themselves in the position of blessing. In the last verse he promises: ‘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.’(v.9) His pledge to praise the LORD for His actions demonstrates his great love for worship of his God, and the promise to ‘Wait on Thy name’ shows his trust in the goodness of God to bring the blessing in due time.

     Drivers, we must make it a habit to go into the house of God for it is the local church that God has designed for our growth in Christ and the place where we can serve Him and other Christians. Also, the local church is where we must give our tithes and offering so that we can bless God and He can bless us. If you need to know of a good Bible preaching church the Lord has provided a service to locate churches in your area. All that’s needed is your zip code and we will send  you a list of churches in your home area!

Chaplain LEWolfe www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry!


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