David’s Anger Against the Wicked
Psalm 52, 1 Samuel 22:8-19
Good morning,
The LORD has many characteristics that never change. The LORD is just, holy, righteous, and true; however, the LORD is also loving, merciful, and kind.
The LORD is so merciful to His children, that He even takes moments of failure and turns them into moments of victory because He loves us so much.
John Stange describes it this way, “God is the perfection of mercy. Showing mercy involves granting pardon or showing compassion to an offending party.
When God shows us mercy, He chooses not to punish us in the manner in which we truly deserve.
So how does God's justice, love, and mercy work together?
We deserve condemnation and punishment from God because of our sin, yet God who is loving, sent Jesus Christ, His Son, to this earth to take that punishment on Himself.
In doing so, His justice and wrath were perfectly satisfied, and now He has made all who trust in Jesus Christ objects of His mercy.”
Please open your Bibles to two places, first to Psalm 52 and then turn to 1 Samuel 22 as we continue surveying the Book of Psalms.
Psalm 52 is written by King David when Doeg the Edomite went and told King Saul, that David was at the house of Ahimelech the priest.
David handled some things in the flesh, without seeking the LORD’s will, and because he dealt with these things in the flesh, eighty-five men were killed by Doeg, Saul, and his men.
I. Backdrop to the poem.
Read 1 Samuel 22:8-16, 22
King Saul was the first king of Israel, and he forfeited his throne by disobeying the Lord. Saul offered an animal sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel when he felt threatened by the Philistines.
Saul also failed to destroy the animals of the Amalekites, as the LORD had commanded him to do. And Saul also failed to kill Agag, the Amalekite king, as the LORD had commanded him.
The Lord instructed Samuel to anoint David as the King and sent a distressing spirit upon Saul. Saul asked Jesse to have David come and play music for him and relieve his distress.
1 Samuel 16:23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. NKJV
Eventually, Saul began to hate David and sought to kill him, so David fled, even though he was anointed as king of Israel.
While King David was on the run from King Saul, he came to the house of Ahimelech the priest and David lied to the priest saying he was on a secret mission for King Saul.
The priest gave David some of the showbread and the sword of Goliath the Philistine. While David and his men were there, Doeg was there, fulfilling a ritual and happened to see David.
Doeg was an Edomite and a descendant of Esau. He was called “Chief of the herdsmen” which can be translated as a mean, violent, or obstinate man, which perfectly describes Doeg.
In 1 Samuel 22, Saul had been told by Doeg that David was at the priest’s house, and here Saul is questioning Ahimelech.
Saul ended up killing Ahimelech and eighty-four others.
Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech the priest and he was the sole survivor of the massacre carried out by Saul and Doeg.
1 Samuel 22:22 So David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father's house. NKJV
Doeg, Saul, and his men were responsible for the 85 deaths; how was David responsible for the priests and family’s deaths?
1 Samuel 22:22 David said, "I knew that day when Doeg the Edomite was there; so, David was guilty of the sin of omission.
>James 4:17 to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. NKJV
One way David was guilty was by lying to the priest, another way was by merely being at Ahimelech’s house, and finally, by not being there to protect Ahimelech’s family when Saul arrived
Please turn to Psalm 52
David wrote Psalm 52 to show his anger and outrage against Doeg and to reveal that the LORD will execute judgment against evil and ultimately bless those who trust Him.
II. The charge against evil.
Read Psalm 52:1-4
Why do you boast in evil? Boasting usually comes from a person’s insecurity and is used to boost their self-esteem.
As David spoke of a mighty man boasting in his evil, he had Doeg on his mind, not simply for going to Saul and revealing his location, but also for rejoicing in the evil that followed.
Wiersbe “Doeg was one of many men around Saul who catered to his whims and inflated his ego to gain power and wealth.
He typifies all who promote themselves at the expense of truth and justice.”
If you study their lives, you will discover that Saul and Doeg were men, who relied on their positions of power and wealth, but David relied on God’s mercy to get by in life. (vss. 1,8)
The “goodness” of God in vs. 1 is the word “mercy” and David used the word “mercy” a second time in vs. 8.
Matthew Poole said, “O mighty man! he speaks ironically. O valiant captain! O glorious action!”
“To kill a few weak and unarmed persons in the king’s presence and under the protection of his guards! Surely thy name will be famous to all ages for such courage.”
Doeg’s might would soon fail, but the goodness of God will endure forever. David said Doeg loved evil and spoke lies rather than righteous things. David spoke about the tongue in vss. 2, 4.
James 3:3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
James 3:4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. NKJV
David Guzik asked, “If the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse or the rudder on a ship, it leaves us with the question:
Who or what holds the reins, or who or what directs the rudder?
Some people have no hand on the reins or rudder, and therefore say whatever comes into mind.
Others direct their tongue from their emotions or from aspects of their carnal nature.
James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue.”
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? NKJV
Doeg went to Saul with information about David to purposely cause destruction and to lift himself up. Doeg’s evil report was so terrible it led to the murder of eighty-five priests and others.
The more we become Spirit-led believers, the LORD will change our speech, making it full of wisdom and not polluted.
James 3 is convicting because we sometimes use our mouths to bless God and curse people, but it should not happen.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NKJV
III. The evil will be uprooted.
Read Psalm 52:5-7
David said the goodness of God will endure forever but Doeg would be destroyed forever. Notice that he didn’t say he would be destroyed once but would be destroyed forever.
Matthew 25:41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. NKJV
David said that God will judge Saul and Doeg, as well as all those who follow their evil philosophy for life.
Evil people will be judged not only in this life, but ultimately the LORD will uproot them from the land of the living.
Adam Clarke said, “Uproot you” means “The bad fruit which it has borne shall bring God’s curse upon the tree; it shall not merely wither, or die, but it shall be plucked up from the roots, intimating that such a sinner shall die a violent death.” (Clarke)
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
Proverbs 16:6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity, and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
David said the righteous would see the destruction of the wicked and fear, i.e., have reverence for the LORD.
God’s judgments are righteous and when the righteous witness them, it teaches us to fear, i.e., revere the LORD.
Notice, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength”
Spurgeon said, “Wealth and wickedness are dreadful companions; when combined they make a monster. When the devil is master of money bags, he is a devil indeed.”
David previously spoke about Doeg’s sins with destructive and deceitful words, and how he loved evil and lying. Here he mentions his failure to trust God as he trusted in wealth instead.
Joseph Caryl said, “Oh! ‘tis hard to abound in riches and not to trust in them. Hence that caution: If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”
IV. David’s response.
Read Psalm 52:8-9
Wiersbe said, “The wicked are like uprooted trees, but the godly are like flourishing olive trees that are fruitful and beautiful.
Saul and Doeg would perish, rejected by the Lord, but David and his dynasty would be safe in the house of the Lord!”
The contrast. Psalm 52:5 God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living.
Psalm 52:8 starts with the conjunction, “But”, contrasting the final judgment for the wicked with the blessing for the righteous.
David referenced Olive trees, which lived for many years.
George Horne said, “He was in the house of God, they were in the world; he was as a fruitful olive tree, they were as barren, unprofitable wood;
David was to be daily more and more strengthened, established, settled, and increased;
They were to be cast down, broken, swept away, and extirpated; and all this because he had trusted in the mercy of God, they in the abundance of their riches.”
You have probably heard the idiom of extending an Olive Branch, which is a way of offering peace, reconciliation, and an end to a conflict.
Olive Trees represent peace, reconciliation, and life. A green olive tree represents new life on the tree.
Think about Christians as Olive Trees…
• We were enemies of God, but Jesus Christ brokered the peace treaty for us with the Father.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
Colossians 1:22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. NKJV
• Like Olive Trees, we find our spiritual nourishment in the LORD.
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
1 Timothy 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. NKJV
• Olive Trees produce olive oil which can be a picture of the Holy Spirit in scripture.
The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, anoints us fills us, prepares us to meet Jesus, joy, gives us spiritual health, and makes us shine in a dark world.
1 Corinthians 6:19 do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? NKJV
Evil people trust in riches and themselves, David said, “I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” Grace is receiving a gift we don’t deserve. Mercy is not receiving the justice we are due.
Mercy in Hebrew is the word, “?ese?” which can be defined as love or loving-kindness.
God's mercy is part of the LORD’s divine nature by which He offers forgiveness, compassion, and care for His children.
God shows mercy by holding back judgment for sin, by healing people, by providing, and in so many other ways.
Ultimately, God demonstrated His mercy when He sacrificed Jesus on the cross as payment for sin.
Because of God’s mercy notice what David said, “I will praise You forever because You have done it”
Jesus said in John 4:23 the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." NKJV
We owe our deepest tribute to the LORD God; why… Psalm 52:9 “I will praise You forever, because You have done it”
Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Look at the adjective David used to describe relentless, unfailing, constantly pursuing covenant love of God.
Abounding is a remarkable, out of the ordinary, in degree and magnitude, of love.
Praise is the way we express our amazement and thankfulness to the Lord for His mighty acts.
Praise also recognizes His abundant goodness, righteousness, His grace, mercy, and patience.
David by inspiration of the Holy Spirit describes how we should respond to the infinite worth of God. We should come to church prepared to worship the Lord, tuning our hearts to His heart.
Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! NKJV
We should train our hearts to think of who He is and what He’s done for us…
Our response to who He is and what He’s done for us should result in an expression of worship that engages all that is within me to bless His Holy Name!
Worship is not just a time of singing; it is expressing praise and love to God in response to who He is and what He has done.
Knowing the LORD God of scripture both intimately and personally, will cause us to worship Him in spirit and in Truth!
David said, “I will wait on Your name, for it is good.”
Two weeks ago, we said, “When we think about the LORD, we are told that He is very patient. Why? Because waiting involves time, and the LORD Created time so, He is not limited by time.”
For David waiting on the LORD showed trust in the LORD and His promises. When the LORD promises to keep us, provide for us, or meet our needs, waiting for Him says we believe Him.
V. Practical Application.
The LORD is so merciful to His children, that He even takes moments of failure and turns them into moments of victory because He loves us so much.
David handled some things in the flesh, without seeking the LORD’s will, and because he dealt with these things in the flesh, eighty-five men were killed by Doeg, Saul, and his men.
If we mess up in life, we can get down on ourselves and stop being useful to the Kingdom. It is easy to give up after failure.
Paul said in Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. NKJV
There are also times when things happen to us that were not necessarily our own doing.
After the death of his father, Joseph was speaking to his brothers and they were afraid Joseph was going to kill them because of all that had happened to Joseph after they sold him into slavery.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. NKJV
Ultimately, our lives are not in the hands of men, but in the Sovereign hands of God, Who rules all things for His glory.
To save many people alive: The LORD saved this family by coming to Egypt and they did not perish in the famine.
Had the family barely survived, it would have assimilated into the Canaanite tribes surrounding it, instead of going to Egypt.
If Joseph never went to Egypt, he was never sold to Potiphar. If Potiphar’s wife never falsely accused Joseph of rape, then he was never put in prison.
If Joseph had never been put in prison, he would not have met the baker and butler of Pharaoh and would not have interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams.
If Joseph never interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he would not have become so powerful and able to bring his family to Egypt.
If his family perished from the famine, then the Messiah would not have come since the family was dead. If Jesus never came, then we are all dead in our sins and without hope in this world.
Because Joseph trusted the Lord, even while his brothers did evil to him, Joseph showed love and compassion to them.
Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. NKJV
Back to our Psalm. David wrote Psalm 52 to show his anger and outrage against Doeg and to reveal that the LORD will execute judgment against evil and ultimately bless those who trust Him.
Doeg the Edomite was a self-seeking, bloodthirsty man and an enemy of God. Saul was a wicked self-serving king.
There was an immediate fulfillment of this Psalm with Doeg and Saul, but there is a biblical fulfillment for the enemies as well as the children of God.
Psalm 52:5 God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. NKJV
If you have received forgiveness of sin through Christ’s death on the Cross, the Lord promises to remember your sins no more.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." NKJV Then, God’s children, can say…
Psalm 52:8 I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52:9 I will praise You forever because You have done it;
