Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 52

A Psalm When You’re the Victim of Evil Intentions

SUPERSCRIPTION : “When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul”

SAUL had been evil toward David

GOLIATH had been evil toward David

David’s BTOTHERS had been inconsiderate toward David

DOEG the Edomite, kills God’s servant’s who had helped David

1 Sam 21:2-3 Ahimilech helps David

21:7 DOEG is there. . .

22:7-10. DOEG conspires against David

22:11. Saul interrogates Ahimilech

22:16-18 Doeg kills Ahimilech and 85 priests, children, family members

David writes this SONG to reflect the feelings in his heart

I. Description of Evil. Psalm 52: 1-5.
A. Read 52:1-5
B. Emphasis is on their WORDS.
C. Characteristics of a Treacherous Person
1. They are ARROGANT. 52:1
2. They are COWARDS. 1 Sam 21:7. Doeg would not stand up to DAVID
to his face
3. They have NO CONSCIENCE. 1 Sam 22:16-17. The other soldiers of Saul knew that they could not kill the priest of God. Ahimilech had no moral restraint. No discernment.

Illus – RACING COMMISSION

4. Their evil is UNRESTRAINED. 1 Sam 22:18-19. a. 85 innocent people!
b. Priests!
c. Children!
5. (Isaiah 5:20) "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
6. (Malachi 2:17, NIV) " You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
7. EXAMPLES:
a. “Tookie Williams” nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
b. Promotion of “Brokeback Mountain” by Hollywood
c. “Book of Daniel” every character associated with Christianity
involved in hypocritical behavior.
d. Read from the Michael Moore’s, Barbara Streisand, Al Franken,
Jesse Jackson
II. The Response of the Righteous. Psalm 52:6-7
A. 52:7 “Here now is the man. . .” Esther 6:6-9. Haman humbled.
B. SEE (the righteous will have clear sight. No confusion)
C. FEAR (the righteous are honest and aware of the truth. Not caught by false schemes)
D. LAUGH. The righteous will have JOY!!!
1. (Psalm 119:165, NIV) "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."
2. (Psalm 1:2, NIV) "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law

he meditates day and night."

3. (Psalm 119:77, NIV) "Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight."
4. (Psalm 119:92, NIV) "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."
5. (Psalm 119:174, NIV) "I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight."
III. The Confidence of a Blameless Life. 52:8-9
A. David knew Ahimilech was safe in God’s hands
B. David knew that he was safe in God’s hands
C. David knew that DOEG would not go unpunished