Contrast Of Those who Trust God and Those Who Don’t

Psalm 52:1-9

“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.  Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.  Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.” (Psalm 52:1-4)

Some people think they are powerful enough to ignore God.  They dream up ways of trying to thwart God’s power, and convince people to do what they want because getting their way is more important to them than pleasing God and take pleasure in deceiving and lying to the people.   As an example of what he is describing, we need look no further than modern politicians, many of whom take pride in being able to manipulate and control people by lying to them.  They convince people they are trying to help the while taking actions that will ultimately destroy them.   They have forgotten that God’s laws and standards are for eternity and cannot be broken. 

“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.  The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 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.” (Psalm 52:5-7)

They have not fooled God, and he will destroy them just as completely as they have destroyed others, taking their land from them causing their deaths, almost like a person digging out a tree by it’s roots to be sure it will not grow again.  The people who do right will see their judgment and fear to copy their example, laughing at their overconfidence and reminding people that this is the end result of depending on one’s wealth and deceitfulness rather than on God. 

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.  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.” (Psalm 52:8-9)

The person who places his trust in God will be like an olive tree in a person’s yard, depending on the land owner to see that it has all the water it needs.  As God provides the needed water, the tree’s growth is a reminder of how God has provided and the tree grows, expecting the water to be delivered when needed.  Christians should have a similar attitude, just expecting God to provide.