The first psalm of the maskil-psalms, Psalm 52, is a great contrast to the previous one. In Psalm 51, we hear someone turning to God with repentance for his sin and being completely broken. In Psalm 52 it is about the power and depravity of someone who boasts in evil. That wicked, prideful person is a picture of the antichrist. With the wickedness in which this wicked person expresses himself, faithful believers in all times have to deal. The believer is always surrounded by people who behave in this way. In this psalm we see the expressions of the violent person and how faith responds to them.
The mighty man loves "all devouring words" (52:4; Psalms 10:7). He loves to say things that devour other people and plunge them into misfortune. Words can 'devour' someone’s reputation. Devouring words work devastation and decay. Directly related to this is a "deceitful tongue". Everything that comes over his tongue is all deceit because the source is totally corrupt.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Psalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psalms 52:3
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Psalms 52:4
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Psalms 52:5
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.
Psalms 52:6
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Psalms 52:7
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.
Psalms 52:8
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
Psalms 52:9
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.
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