7. for trusting in riches and being strong in "wickedness."
wickedness--literally, "mischief" ([Psa 52:2]), instead of trusting in God.
the man--literally, "the mighty man," or "hero" ([Psa 52:1]).
8. The figure used is common ([Psa 1:3]; [Jr 11:16]).
green--fresh.
house, &c.--in communion with God (compare [Psa 27:4], ).
for ever and ever--qualifies "mercy."
9. hast done--that is, what the context supplies, "preserved me" (compare [Psa 22:31]).
wait ... name--hope in Thy perfections, manifested for my good ([Psa 5:11]; ).
for it is good--that is, Thy name, and the whole method or result of its manifestation ([Psa 54:6]; ).
Psalm 53
Psa 53:1-6. Upon Mahalath--(See on Psa 88:1, title). Why this repetition of the fourteenth Psalm is given we do not know
1-4. with few verbal changes, correspond with [Psa 14:1-4].
5. Instead of assurances of God's presence with the pious, and a complaint of the wicked, [Psa 14:5], portrays the ruin of the latter, whose "bones" even "are scattered" (compare [Psa 141:7]), and who are put to shame as contemptuously rejected of God.
Psalm 54
Psa 54:1-7. See on Psa 4:1, title; Psa 32:1, title; for the history, see 1Sa 23:19, 29; 26:1-25. After an earnest cry for help, the Psalmist promises praise in the assurance of a hearing
1. by thy name--([Psa 5:11]), specially, power.
judge me--as in [Psa 7:8]; .
2. (Compare [Psa 4:1]; ).
3. strangers--perhaps Ziphites.
oppressors--literally, "terrible ones" ([Is 13:11]; ). Such were Saul and his army.
not set ... them--acted as atheists, without God's fear (compare [Psa 16:8]).
4. (Compare [Psa 30:10]).
with them--on their side, and for me (compare [Psa 46:11]).
5. He shall ... evil--or, "Evil shall return on" ([Psa 7:16]) my enemies or watchers, that is, to do me evil ([Psa 6:7]).
in thy truth--Thy verified promise.
6. I will freely, &c.--or, present a freewill offering ([Le 7:16]; [Nu 15:3]).
7. mine eye ... desire--(compare [Psa 59:10]; ), expresses satisfaction in beholding the overthrow of his enemies as those of God, without implying any selfish or unholy feeling (compare [Psa 52:6], ).
Psalm 55
Psa 55:1-23. In great terror on account of enemies, and grieved by the treachery of a friend, the Psalmist offers an earnest prayer for relief. He mingles confident assurances of divine favor to himself with invocations and predictions of God's avenging judgments on the wicked. The tone suits David's experience, both in the times of Saul and Absalom, though perhaps neither was exclusively before his mind
1. hide not thyself, &c.--(compare [Psa 13:1]; ), withhold not help.
2. The terms of the last clause express full indulgence of grief.
3. oppression--literally, "persecution."
they ... iniquity--literally, "they make evil doings slide upon me."
4-5. express great alarm.
6. be at rest--literally, "dwell," that is, permanently.
7-8. Even a wilderness is a safer place than exposure to such evils, terrible as storm and tempest.
9. Destroy--literally, "swallow" ([Psa 21:9]).
divide their tongues--or, "confound their speech," and hence their counsels ([Ge 11:7]).
the city--perhaps Jerusalem, the scene of anarchy.
10-11. which is described in detail (compare [Psa 7:14-16]).
12-14. This description of treachery does not deny, but aggravates, the injury from enemies.
15. Let death, &c.--or, "Desolations are on them."
let them go--literally, "they will go."
quick--or, living in the midst of life, death will come (compare [Nu 16:33]).