But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8)
After several verses in which he described the fate of those who do evil, David professes confidence that God will sustain him just as surely as He preserves the olive tree. It is my understanding that it is common for some olive trees to live for centuries. In fact on visits to Israel, I have prayed under the branches of olive trees said to be almost 2,000 years old. It is also my understanding that the leaf of a healthy olive tree remains green and full throughout the year, never withering, even in times of drought. That David likens himself to a green olive tree speaks volumes; he believed that God would not only sustain him but preserve his descendants through generations.
We must understand that this declaration was made at a time when David was forced to live on the run. For many years, throughout the ordeal, he determined within himself to trust in the mercy of God, believing that the Lord would sustain him even as the olive tree is sustained in drought and other turbulent circumstances. Likening himself to the olive tree in this way alludes to a metaphor David used in another psalm which speaks of the righteous man: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither” (Psalm 1:3).
There are multiple examples in the Scripture whereby God’s people are likened to trees. Sometimes the metaphor is used to speak of individuals and sometimes it speaks of God’s people as a whole. Also when this metaphor is employed, it is common to see an emphasis placed on its ability to produce fruit. The fruit is emblematic of life and the propagation of God’s purpose through the seed embedded within the fruit. The point is this: like trees, we must endure harsh environments and changing seasons, some of which are very strenuous. But if our confidence is in the Lord, like David, we can declare that the Lord will make us to be that green olive tree. If we remain steadfast, at the conclusion of the ordeal, we too shall flourish by the rivers of water, thriving in the Presence of the Almighty. So in spite of your circumstances, keep the faith!
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments