Psalms of Honesty and Truth
Wouldn’t it be awesome to see pants literally catch fire every time a lie is told? We tire easily of those who lie with every breath they take. Some liars lie so well they believe what they are saying is true! “Do you not hear what is coming from your mouth?”, we want to cry out. Apparently not. It’s hard work being a liar because you have so many lies to keep track of what you have said. But alas, you just tell another lie to cover up the last lie. Wow.
When David wrote this psalm, he was angry, and rightly so. (For the reason, see 1 Sam. 21:1-9; 22:6-23.) Doeg was one of many men around Saul who catered to his whims and inflated his ego in order to gain power and wealth. He typifies all who promote themselves at the expense of truth and justice.
Doeg was an Edomite, which means he was descended from Esau, the enemy of Jacob (Gen. 27–28; Heb. 12:16-17). The battle between the flesh and the Spirit still goes on. However, it’s possible that David was also writing about Saul, who certainly fits the description given of the proud, powerful tyrant. There has always been a certain amount of evil in high places, and God’s people must learn to handle it in a godly manner.
Trying to top the liar with more lies is not behaving in a godly manner. Stay true, tell the truth and declare God’s glory in all we do to prevent being caught up in lies. Do not repeat what is not fact, or what someone said. And if it’s not necessary, then don’t say it all. Build each other up with gracious words. Avoid arrogance at all costs.
Psalm 52, NLT
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”
1 Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?
2 All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
3 You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth. Interlude
4 You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
5 But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living. Interlude
6 The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
9 I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.
What do we learn?
-Trust in God to take care of liars.
-Tell the truth. Always.
-Be driven by faith in the One and Only God.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 