1.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
1. mighty man—literally,
"hero." Doeg may be thus addressed, ironically, in respect
of his might in slander.
2.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.
2. tongue—for self.
mischiefs—evil to
others (Psalms 5:9; Psalms 38:12).
working deceitfully—
(Psalms 10:7), as a keen, smoothly
moving razor, cutting quietly, but deeply.
3.
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
4. all-devouring—literally,
"swallowing," which utterly destroy (compare Psalms 21:9;
Psalms 35:25).
5.
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
5. likewise—or, "so,"
"also," as you have done to others God will do to you (). The following terms describe the most entire ruin.
6.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
6. shall . . . fear—regard
with religious awe.
laugh at him—for his
folly;
7.
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
7. for trusting in riches and
being strong in "wickedness."
wickedness—literally,
"mischief" (Psalms 52:2),
instead of trusting in God.
the man—literally, "the
mighty man," or "hero" (Psalms 52:2).
8.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
8. The figure used is common
(Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 11:16).
green—fresh.
house, c.—in communion
with God (compare Psalms 27:4
Psalms 27:5).
for ever and ever—qualifies
"mercy."
9.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
9. hast done—that is, what the
context supplies, "preserved me" (compare ).
wait . . . name—hope in
Thy perfections, manifested for my good (Psalms 5:11;
Psalms 20:1).
for it is good—that is,
Thy name, and the whole method or result of its manifestation
(Psalms 54:6; Psalms 69:16).