Psa 52:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 52:1-9: Ps 52 Wicked people use words to destroy relationships and communities. They foolishly think that they can be heroes by their words (52:1-4 ), but their fate suddenly overtakes them (52:5-7 ). In contrast, the godly renew their commitment to the Lord (52:8-9 ) and find their future secure in him. 52:title This psalm refers to an incident in 1 Sam 21:1-10 ; 22:9-10 . The accuser, Doeg the Edomite , is a paradigm of evil. Summary for Ps 52:1-4: 52:1-4 Liars foolishly deceive themselves by thinking that they can be heroes by their words. They believe themselves innocent of any charges of evildoing, though they love evil and cause destruction. Those who speak curses, sarcasm, bitterness, arrogant boasting, and deceptions (31:18 ; 34:13 ; 59:7 , 12 ; 120:2-3 ; 140:3 , 9 ) bring about chaos, alienation, and destruction (Jas 3:5 ). Their sharp words cut like swords and daggers (Pss 55:21 ; 57:4 ; 64:3 ), the fangs of a snake (140:3 ), or a razor.

Summary for Ps 52:1-9: Ps 52 ^a Wicked people use words to destroy relationships and communities. They foolishly think that they can be heroes by their words (52:1-4 ^b), but their fate suddenly overtakes them (52:5-7 ^c). In contrast, the godly renew their commitment to the Lord (52:8-9 ^d) and find their future secure in him. 52:title ^e This psalm refers to an incident in 1 Sam 21:1-10 ^f; 22:9-10 ^g. The accuser, Doeg the Edomite, is a paradigm of evil.
Summary for Ps 52:1-4: 52:1-4 ^h Liars foolishly deceive themselves by thinking that they can be heroes by their words. They believe themselves innocent of any charges of evildoing, though they love evil and cause destruction. Those who speak curses, sarcasm, bitterness, arrogant boasting, and deceptions (31:18 ⁱ; 34:13 ^j; 59:7 ^k, 12 ^l; 120:2-3 ^m; 140:3 ⁿ, 9 ^o) bring about chaos, alienation, and destruction (Jas 3:5 ^p). Their sharp words cut like swords and daggers (Pss 55:21 ^q; 57:4 ^r; 64:3 ^s), the fangs of a snake (140:3 ^t), or a razor.