Psalm 52
This is an atypical psalm in that it is not directed to G-d or to the faith community; rather, it is a “speech” directed to an “evil one” who is sarcastically referred to as “the hero,” the “mighty man,” the “brave fellow,” depending on your translation of verse one. That man is personified in the superscript as Doeg, who ratted out David to King Saul, when David had fled to the priest, Ahimelech, at Nob. This story is narrated in I Samuel 21 and 22. Saul’s reaction to Doeg’s report is to command Doeg to kill Ahimelech and slaughter all of the priests in the city of Nob as punishment for helping David. The superscript provides us with the opportunity to note once again the intertextual nature of the Scriptures: Psalm 52 serves as “commentary” on the text in I Samuel.
This superscript also provides the occasion to raise the question: are the superscripts inspired Scripture or just added editorial text? The Psalm 52 superscript is extensive. In the BHS (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia – the text in Hebrew), the JPS translation (Jewish Publication Society), and any other Jewish translation that I have used, the superscript of Psalm 52 is denoted as the first two verses of the Psalm. Thus, verse one of our “Christian” translations is actually verse three in the BHS and JPS. That implies that those Jewish translators/interpreters count the superscripts as inspired. I know what you are saying, “OK DWach … enough with the superscripts. Let’s move on!” BUT …this is a key observation and leads us to asking a bigger question: what constitutes inspired Scripture? Alas! This question is outside the parameters of our daily devotional! We will have to treat that issue separately on another occasion, or feel free to reach out to me and discuss.
Today’s exhortation is straightforward: Don’t get too big for your britches! Watch what you say! Don’t lie! Don’t employ harmful words!
The psalmist emphasizes his point with a compare/contrast declaration: G-d will tear the “mighty one” from his tent (v. 5) because of his words, while the psalmist will flourish in the house of G-d. (v. 8)
And in G-d’s house, His people will not shout deceitful words; rather, they will trust in His unfailing love, and sing praises for ever and ever. (v. 8-9)
Godspeed,
DWach
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