Psalms 52:6 - Meaning and Application

David was in deep distress at this time. The harm Doeg had done was only the beginning of his sorrows, and yet David is here triumphing, more than merely rejoicing in trouble. The blessed Paul, in the middle of his troubles, was also in the middle of his triumphs (2 Corinthians 2:14). David triumphs here in two ways.

First, he triumphs in Doeg’s fall. But to keep this from sounding like personal revenge, he speaks as one of the righteous would speak. They will notice God’s judgments on Doeg and speak about them for God’s glory: “They shall see, and fear” (Psalms 52:6). That is, they will honor God’s justice and stand in awe of him, as the almighty God before whom the proudest sinner cannot stand. God’s judgments on the wicked should fill the righteous with reverence and make them careful not to offend him or bring his displeasure on themselves (Psalms 119:120; Revelation 15:3, 4).

They will also speak of Doeg’s fall to shame him. “They shall laugh at him,” not with foolish mockery, but with a serious and fitting response, the way God himself laughs at the wicked (Psalms 2:4). He will look absurd, and rightly so. The righteous will then say, “This is the man who did not make God his strength” (Psalms 52:7).

When a rich and powerful man falls, everyone notices and comments on it. The righteous should make this point about Doeg, that nothing better could have come of his path, since he used the wrong way to build his wealth and power. If a newly built house collapses, people immediately ask what was wrong with the building. Doeg’s prosperity was ruined for two reasons. First, he did not build on a rock. He did not see that his success depended on God’s favor, so he made no effort to secure that favor, keep himself in God’s love, or live with any true concern for duty to God. Those who think they can hold up their power and wealth without God and religion are badly deceived.

Second, he built on sand. He trusted in the wealth he had gathered, thinking it would last for many years. More than that, he thought his evil would help protect his position. He was ready to do anything to secure and increase his honor and power. Right or wrong, he would get what he could, keep what he had, and destroy anyone who stood in his way. He thought that would strengthen him. People who will make conscience of nothing may get anything they want for a time. But look what happens in the end. See what kind of weak mortar he used to build his house, now that it has fallen and he lies buried in its ruins.

David also triumphs in his own stability (Psalms 52:8, 9). “This mighty man is uprooted, but I am like a green olive tree, planted and rooted, steady and fruitful.” Doeg is driven out of God’s dwelling place, but David is established there, held not by force but by the rich comfort he finds in it. Those who live in God’s house by faith and love will be like green olive trees there. The wicked are said to flourish like a green bay tree (Psalms 37:35), which has many leaves but no useful fruit. The righteous flourish like a green olive tree, which is not only full of life but also rich and fruitful (Psalms 92:14). It gives honor to both God and people with its fruitfulness (Judges 9:9), drawing its life and fullness from the good olive tree (Romans 11:17).

What must we do to be like green olive trees? First, we must live by faith and holy trust in God and his grace. David says, “I see what comes from trusting in riches, so I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” He does not trust the world, or his own merit, but God’s mercy, which gives freely even to the undeserving and is enough to be our portion and happiness. That mercy lasts forever, constant and unchanging, and its gifts will continue forever. So we must keep trusting it and never leave that foundation.

Second, we must live with thankfulness and holy joy in God (Psalms 52:9). “I will praise you forever, because you have done it.” David means that God has avenged the blood of his priests on their murderous enemy, and has given him blood to drink. He also means that God has kept his promise to him, a promise David was as sure of as if it had already happened. Being much in praise makes our faith more beautiful and our growth in grace stronger. And we never lack reasons to praise God.

Third, we must live in expectation and humble dependence on God. “I will wait on your name.” That is, I will attend to you in all the ways you have made yourself known, hoping for fresh help from your favor and willing to wait until the appointed time comes. “For it is good before your saints,” or, as your saints judge it to be. David fully agrees with them. The shared mind of believers is this: God’s name is good in itself, and the way he shows himself to his people is gracious and kind. There is no other name that can be our refuge and strong tower. It is also very good for us to wait on that name. Nothing better can quiet our troubled hearts or keep us on the path of duty when we are tempted to use wrong means for our own relief than to hope quietly for the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:26).

All the saints have found this to be true. None of them have waited on God in vain, followed his guidance in vain, or been put to shame for trusting him. What is good in the judgment of all the saints, let us keep doing and do more and more. In this matter especially, “Turn to your God; keep mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually” (Hosea 12:6).