- Home
- Bible
- Psalms
- Chapter 52
- Verse 52
Psalms 52:8
Verse
Context
Why Do You Boast of Evil?
7“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.” 8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever. 9I will praise You forever, because You have done it. I will wait on Your name— for it is good— in the presence of Your saints.
Sermons
Charles FinneyCharles Finney
David WilkersonSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The gloomy song now brightens up, and in calmer tones draws rapidly to a close. The betrayer becomes like an uprooted tree; the betrayed, however, stands firm and is like to a green-foliaged olive (Jer 11:16) which is planted in the house of Elohim (Psa 90:14), that is to say, in sacred and inaccessible ground; cf. the promise in Isa 60:13. The weighty expression כּי עשׂית refers, as in Ps 22:32, to the gracious and just carrying out of that which was aimed at in the election of David. If this be attained, then he will for ever give thanks and further wait on the Name, i.e., the self-attestation, of God, which is so gracious and kind, he will give thanks and "wait" in the presence of all the saints. This "waiting," ואקוּה, is open to suspicion, since what he intends to do in the presence of the saints must be something that is audible or visible to them. Also "hoping in the name of God" is, it is true, not an unbiblical notional combination (Isa 36:8); but in connection with שׁמך כי טוב which follows, one more readily looks for a verb expressing a thankful and laudatory proclamation (cf. Ps 54:8). Hitzig's conjecture that we should read ואחוּה is therefore perfectly satisfactory. נגד חסידיך does not belong to טוב, which would be construed with בּעיני htiw deurtsnoc , and not נגד, but to the two votive words; cf. Psa 22:26; Psa 138:1, and other passages. The whole church (Psa 22:23., Psa 40:10.) shall be witness of his thankfulness to God, and of his proclamation of the proofs which God Himself has given of His love and favour.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The figure used is common (Psa 1:3; Jer 11:16). green--fresh. house, &c.--in communion with God (compare Psa 27:4-5). for ever and ever--qualifies "mercy."
John Gill Bible Commentary
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God,.... Or rather it should be supplied, "I shall be" (d); since David was at this time an exile from the house of God: and this expresses his faith and confidence, that, notwithstanding his present troubles, he should be restored again, and be in a very flourishing condition, in the church of God; which is here meant by "the house of God": it being of his building, and where he dwells, and where to have a place is the great privilege of the saints; they are planted there by the Lord himself, and shall never be rooted up; they are fixed there, and shall never go out; which was David's confidence, Psa 23:6; and where he believed he should be as "a green olive tree"; which is a very choice and fruitful tree, has fatness in it, produces an excellent oil; is beautiful to look at; delights in hot climates and sunny places; is found on mountains, we read of the mount of Olives; is ever green and durable, and its leaves and branches are symbols of peace: all which is applicable to truly righteous persons and believers in Christ; who are the excellent of the earth, are filled with the fruits of righteousness; are fat and flourishing; have the oil of grace, the anointing which teacheth all things; are a perfection of beauty, made perfectly comely through Christ's comeliness; thrive under him, the sun of righteousness; grow in the mountain of the Lord's house, the church: their grace is incorruptible, their leaf withers not; they are rooted in Christ, and ever continue; they are the sons of peace, and their last end will be eternal peace. Now as such David was assured he should be, when his enemy would be rooted up out of the land of the living, and cast like a dry and worthless branch into everlasting burnings; the ground of which confidence follows: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever; the mercy of God is not only an encouragement to trust, but the object of it; not the absolute mercy of God, but the grace and goodness of God in Christ Jesus, which endures continually, Psa 52:1; and so does hope in it, which never makes ashamed, but abides to the end. The psalmist seems to have respect to the mercy promised him, that he should sit upon the throne. This he believed, and therefore was assured he should be in the flourishing circumstances in the house of God before mentioned. (d) "Ero", Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
52:8-9 The psalmist commits himself to a life of trust in the Lord. • An olive tree lives a long time when cared for (1:3; 128:3). The psalmist desires to be close to the Lord, his Savior and the source of his blessing (18:6; 23:6).
Psalms 52:8
Why Do You Boast of Evil?
7“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.” 8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever. 9I will praise You forever, because You have done it. I will wait on Your name— for it is good— in the presence of Your saints.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
On Trusting in the Mercy of God
By Charles Finney0RepentanceGod's MercyPSA 52:8ISA 55:7LAM 3:22MIC 7:18ROM 5:82CO 5:17EPH 2:4HEB 4:16JAS 2:131JN 1:9Charles Finney emphasizes the profound nature of trusting in God's mercy, distinguishing it from mere goodness and justice. He explains that true trust in mercy requires a deep conviction of guilt, a cessation of excuses, and a heartfelt belief in God's willingness to forgive. Finney outlines the conditions necessary for receiving mercy, including repentance, confession, and a commitment to reform, while also addressing common misconceptions about mercy. He warns against relying on justice instead of mercy and stresses the importance of acknowledging one's deserving punishment to truly grasp the depth of God's mercy. Ultimately, Finney calls for a sincere and humble approach to seeking God's mercy, highlighting the urgency of accepting it before it's too late.
Trusting in God's Mercy
By Charles Finney0RepentanceGod's MercyPSA 52:8EPH 2:4Charles Finney emphasizes the profound nature of God's mercy, distinguishing it from mere goodness and justice. He explains that true trust in God's mercy requires a deep conviction of personal guilt, a cessation of excuses, and a heartfelt belief in God's willingness to forgive. Finney outlines the conditions necessary for trusting in God's mercy, including repentance, confession, and a commitment to reform. He warns against common misconceptions about mercy, urging listeners to recognize the seriousness of their sins and the necessity of genuine humility before God. Ultimately, Finney calls for a complete reliance on God's mercy, which is available to those who acknowledge their need for it.
The Power of Staying Green
By David Wilkerson0Spiritual HealthTrust in GodPSA 52:8JER 17:5REV 9:4David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remaining spiritually healthy and flourishing in faith, using the metaphor of being 'green' as a sign of trust in God. He draws from Revelation 9:4 and Psalm 52:8 to illustrate that true safety in times of terror comes from relying on the Lord rather than human strength. Wilkerson warns against the curse of trusting in man, as highlighted in Jeremiah 17:5-6, and contrasts it with the blessings of those who trust in God, who will thrive like trees planted by water. He encourages believers to deepen their roots in God's strength to maintain spiritual vitality, especially during trials. Ultimately, staying 'green' signifies a life of continual growth and fruitfulness in faith.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
The gloomy song now brightens up, and in calmer tones draws rapidly to a close. The betrayer becomes like an uprooted tree; the betrayed, however, stands firm and is like to a green-foliaged olive (Jer 11:16) which is planted in the house of Elohim (Psa 90:14), that is to say, in sacred and inaccessible ground; cf. the promise in Isa 60:13. The weighty expression כּי עשׂית refers, as in Ps 22:32, to the gracious and just carrying out of that which was aimed at in the election of David. If this be attained, then he will for ever give thanks and further wait on the Name, i.e., the self-attestation, of God, which is so gracious and kind, he will give thanks and "wait" in the presence of all the saints. This "waiting," ואקוּה, is open to suspicion, since what he intends to do in the presence of the saints must be something that is audible or visible to them. Also "hoping in the name of God" is, it is true, not an unbiblical notional combination (Isa 36:8); but in connection with שׁמך כי טוב which follows, one more readily looks for a verb expressing a thankful and laudatory proclamation (cf. Ps 54:8). Hitzig's conjecture that we should read ואחוּה is therefore perfectly satisfactory. נגד חסידיך does not belong to טוב, which would be construed with בּעיני htiw deurtsnoc , and not נגד, but to the two votive words; cf. Psa 22:26; Psa 138:1, and other passages. The whole church (Psa 22:23., Psa 40:10.) shall be witness of his thankfulness to God, and of his proclamation of the proofs which God Himself has given of His love and favour.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The figure used is common (Psa 1:3; Jer 11:16). green--fresh. house, &c.--in communion with God (compare Psa 27:4-5). for ever and ever--qualifies "mercy."
John Gill Bible Commentary
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God,.... Or rather it should be supplied, "I shall be" (d); since David was at this time an exile from the house of God: and this expresses his faith and confidence, that, notwithstanding his present troubles, he should be restored again, and be in a very flourishing condition, in the church of God; which is here meant by "the house of God": it being of his building, and where he dwells, and where to have a place is the great privilege of the saints; they are planted there by the Lord himself, and shall never be rooted up; they are fixed there, and shall never go out; which was David's confidence, Psa 23:6; and where he believed he should be as "a green olive tree"; which is a very choice and fruitful tree, has fatness in it, produces an excellent oil; is beautiful to look at; delights in hot climates and sunny places; is found on mountains, we read of the mount of Olives; is ever green and durable, and its leaves and branches are symbols of peace: all which is applicable to truly righteous persons and believers in Christ; who are the excellent of the earth, are filled with the fruits of righteousness; are fat and flourishing; have the oil of grace, the anointing which teacheth all things; are a perfection of beauty, made perfectly comely through Christ's comeliness; thrive under him, the sun of righteousness; grow in the mountain of the Lord's house, the church: their grace is incorruptible, their leaf withers not; they are rooted in Christ, and ever continue; they are the sons of peace, and their last end will be eternal peace. Now as such David was assured he should be, when his enemy would be rooted up out of the land of the living, and cast like a dry and worthless branch into everlasting burnings; the ground of which confidence follows: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever; the mercy of God is not only an encouragement to trust, but the object of it; not the absolute mercy of God, but the grace and goodness of God in Christ Jesus, which endures continually, Psa 52:1; and so does hope in it, which never makes ashamed, but abides to the end. The psalmist seems to have respect to the mercy promised him, that he should sit upon the throne. This he believed, and therefore was assured he should be in the flourishing circumstances in the house of God before mentioned. (d) "Ero", Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
52:8-9 The psalmist commits himself to a life of trust in the Lord. • An olive tree lives a long time when cared for (1:3; 128:3). The psalmist desires to be close to the Lord, his Savior and the source of his blessing (18:6; 23:6).