Psalms 52:1-9
1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
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.
5 God shall likewise destroya 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.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
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.b
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.
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.
In this song the attitude of God toward the wicked man who is a tyrant is manifest. The mighty man who boasts himself in mischief is first put in striking contrast to God whose mercy endureth continually. Then follows a description of the mischief in which such a man makes his boast. One is reminded of James' description of the tongue and its fearful power, as the psalmist describes the mischief of evil speech, growing out of an evil nature. The God of mercy destroys the mischiefmaker, and thus demonstrates His mercifulness. God's dealings with such a man will be seen by the righteous, who will understand that the reason for the punishment is that this man was godless.
Suddenly the singer puts himself in contrast with the end of this man because he is in contrast with the attitude of the man. Instead of being rooted up, he is like a tree in the house of God. Instead of trusting in the abundance of riches, he trusts in the mercy of God. The contrast reveals the abiding truth of the unchangeableness of God. All that seems to be different in His dealing with man is due to the difference in man's attitude toward Him.