To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, and said to him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” (Psalm 52)
In our Bibles, this introduction precedes verse one. However, in the Hebrew Bible this is the first verse and provides important context to David’s words. To begin with, the Hebrew word translated contemplation is משכיל maskil, which means this is a psalm composed in order to teach an important spiritual lesson. The essence of Psalm 52 notes the distinctions between those who use their tongues for evil, in this case Doeg the Edomite, and those who use their mouth to speak things that lead to life.
As Solomon said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Doeg is the one who informed Saul that David had received provision from the priest, Ahimelch, at Nob. Consequently, the king accused God’s priests of conspiring with David, and had them killed along with the entire village of Nob — every man, woman and child. In short, Doeg’s evil tongue led to the death of innocent victims, struck down because of one man’s evil inclination. His slander, in turn, provoked the insecurity and pride of another man, Saul, whose own evil inclination provoked the words that led to the execution of unwitting accomplices in a drama they knew nothing of.
In sharp contrast, the previous psalm — the Psalm of Repentance — describes how David used his tongue in ways that resulted in life. Having been confronted by the Word of the Lord concerning his sin, unlike Saul and the wicked Doeg, David confessed his wrong and received forgiveness — and life. Also, throughout his life, David composed songs devoted to praise and adoration of the Most High whereby we, who struggle with the same evil inclination as every man, could use our tongues for good. Songs of praise and worship train our tongues to abandon our predisposition to speak evil, and instead, to speak words of purity, words of life and words that give honor to the Almighty. And so, “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name…. for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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