Why Do You Boast, O Mighty One?
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Why do you boast, O mighty one,
of mischief done against the godly? ...
You love evil more than good ...
But God will break you down forever ...
But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
-- Psalm 52:1a, 3a, 5a, 8
Theme: The fate of the cynic
Outline
1-4 -- You wicked man, strutting in pride, working treachery and slander!
5-7 -- God will bring you down, and we gloat in anticipation!
8-9 -- But I will continue to trust God and thank him for his covenant love and blessings.
Notes
• Lament
• The title suggests the background of the psalm to be the gripping story of when Doeg informed against David to Saul. (See 1 Samuel 21-22.)
For Reflection
• Note the characteristics of the godless bully (vv. 1-4, 7). In contrast, what is David's boast? What is the Christian's boast? (See Galatians 6:14.)
Prayer
Lord God, you will bring down the ungodly pride that boasts in riches. Far be it from us to boast, O God, except in your covenant love, sealed with the blood of Christ. Make us to be like olive trees, rooted and nourished in the love and power of Jesus Christ, your Son, bearing fruit to your glory. Amen.
of mischief done against the godly? ...
You love evil more than good ...
But God will break you down forever ...
But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
-- Psalm 52:1a, 3a, 5a, 8
Theme: The fate of the cynic
Outline
1-4 -- You wicked man, strutting in pride, working treachery and slander!
5-7 -- God will bring you down, and we gloat in anticipation!
8-9 -- But I will continue to trust God and thank him for his covenant love and blessings.
Notes
• Lament
• The title suggests the background of the psalm to be the gripping story of when Doeg informed against David to Saul. (See 1 Samuel 21-22.)
For Reflection
• Note the characteristics of the godless bully (vv. 1-4, 7). In contrast, what is David's boast? What is the Christian's boast? (See Galatians 6:14.)
Prayer
Lord God, you will bring down the ungodly pride that boasts in riches. Far be it from us to boast, O God, except in your covenant love, sealed with the blood of Christ. Make us to be like olive trees, rooted and nourished in the love and power of Jesus Christ, your Son, bearing fruit to your glory. Amen.