Psalms 52-59
What I Noticed Today (Psalms 52-59)
Psalm 52
Psalm 52 is ascribed to David and pertains to the time when Doeg the Edomite betrayed David (1 Samuel 22:9).
In verses 1-7, David addresses Doeg directly as the evil man who boasted in his evil and was a disgrace to God, contrasted with the righteous men who would laugh at Doeg.
In verses 8-9, David describes himself metaphorically as an olive tree that was flourishing because he trusted in God’s love and would continue to praise God for all that He had done.
Psalm 53
Psalm 53 is similar to Psalm 14, with a shift in focus to the evil of mankind.
In verses 1-3, David speaks of the fool who says there is no God. Thus, they live corrupt lives.
In verses 4-6, David anticipates the wicked being terrified as God rejects them, and anticipates the people rejoicing because salvation for Israel will come in Jerusalem.
Psalm 54
Psalm 54 was a prayer of David when he was betrayed by the Ziphites (1 Samuel 23:19) and was being pursued by Saul.
In verses 1-3, David prays for God to deliver him because strangers had risen up against him.
In verses 4-7, David affirms his confidence and trust in God because God had delivered him from his enemies.
Psalm 55
Psalm 55 David laments the oppression that had come into his life when he was betrayed by a close friend.
In verses 1-8, David prays to God to hear his complaint about the wicked men who are angrily bearing a grudge against him.
In verses 9-15, David prays that God would confuse the wicked that are oppressing him, especially one who is a close friend, and hopes that God will bring destruction on them.
In verses 16-23, David calls on the Lord to save him, redeem his soul, and humble his oppressors. He knows that God will never forsake the righteous, but will destroy the wicked who persecute the righteous.
Psalm 56
Psalm 56 recounts a time when David visited Gath (1 Samuel 21:10).
In verses 1-7, David prayed that the Lord would be gracious to him and destroy his enemies who were planning to destroy him.
In verses 8-13, David expresses confidence that the Lord knows him intimately, even counting his tears. He waits confidently for the Lord to deliver him and vows to present thank offering in anticipation of God delivering him as He had done in the past.
Psalm 57
Psalm 57 is similar to Psalm 56.
In verses 1-5, David asks God to be merciful to him and to allow him to take refuge from his enemies. He describes his soul as being in danger from wild beasts.
In verses 6-11, David describes his enemies as waiting to trap him in a pit but that they had fallen into it. Therefore, David praised the Lord in a song of victory for His love and faithfulness to him.
Psalm 58
Psalm 58 is a denouncement of unrighteous judges whom David wishes God would destroy.
In verses 1-5, David claims that because these judges are wicked because they are not righteous judges.
In verses 6-9, David calls on God to destroy these wicked judges.
In verses 10-11, David says the righteous will rejoice in the destruction of the wicked, and men will see the destruction of the wicked and see a reward for being righteous.
Psalm 59
Psalm 59 is a prayer of David to protect him from Saul, who was coming for him (1 Samuel 19:8-14).
In verses 1-5, David prays for deliverance from the bloodthirsty men who were coming for him and asks God to punish them.
In verses 6-10, David describes his enemies as snarling dogs but is confident that God will destroy them and rescue him.
In verses 11-13, David prays that the Lord would shield him and punish the wicked in a way that would humiliate them by exposing their lies.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.